AI-assisted summary
• Saquon Barkley rushed for 2,005 yards in 2024, his first season with the Philadelphia Eagles.
• Historically, running backs see a significant drop in production the year after rushing for 2,000 yards.
• Barkley’s projected stats for 2025 are 308 carries, 1,694 rushing yards, and 10 touchdowns.

Saquon Barkley became the ninth 2,000-yard rusher during his first season with the Philadelphia Eagles. Can he do it again in 2025?

On the surface, Barkley would look like a candidate to become the NFL’s first two-time, 2,000-yard rusher. The 28-year-old is in his prime and plays for one of the best and most run-heavy offenses in the NFL.

But Barkley also handled a major workload in 2024. He handled 482 touches, including the playoffs, and it isn’t clear whether that high volume of usage will impact him as he enters the 2025 NFL season.

Add in that no running back has even topped 1,500 rushing yards in the year following a 2,000-yard campaign and it’s hard to guarantee Barkley will be able to reach historic heights again in 2025.

How well will Barkley do in his second season with the Eagles? Here’s a look at a stat projection for his season and why he could still make history even if he doesn’t reach 2,000 yards rushing in 2025.

NFL 2,000-yard rushers

The NFL has seen nine players record 2,000 rushing yards in a single season during its history. They are as follows:

• 1973: O.J. Simpson, Bills – 2,003
• 1984: Eric Dickerson, Rams – 2,105
• 1997: Barry Sanders, Lions – 2,053
• 1998: Terrell Davis, Broncos – 2,008
• 2003: Jamal Lewis, Ravens – 2,056
• 2009: Chris Johnson, Titans – 2,006
• 2012: Adrian Peterson, Vikings – 2,097
• 2020: Derrick Henry, Titans – 2,027
• 2025: Saquon Barkley, Eagles – 2,005

How do NFL running backs fare after 2,000-yard seasons?

Typically, running backs see a noticeable decline in production in the season following their 2,000-yard campaigns. It isn’t necessarily because they lack opportunities.

The NFL’s previous eight 2,000-yard rushers averaged just 2.5 fewer carries per game in the season following their 2,000-yard campaign. However, they experienced an average decline of 41.2 rushing yards per game despite the relatively similar opportunities.

The reason for the precipitous step-back? No NFL running back has averaged more than 4.5 yards per carry in the season following their 2,000-yard campaign. As a group, they have averaged 4.3 yards per carry; by comparison, the eight averaged a collective 5.6 yards per carry during their 2,000-yard seasons, with Davis’ 5.1 yards per carry in 1998 serving as the lowest average.

Below is a look at the average, per-game stats of running backs during their 2,000-yard seasons:

• Carries: 23.1
• Rushing yards: 129.9
• Rushing TDs: 0.9
• Yards per carry: 5.6

And here is a look at the per-game stats in the season following:

• Carries: 20.6
• Rushing yards: 88.7
• Rushing TDs: 0.6
• Yards per carry: 4.5

Even so, only two of the eight running backs have failed to eclipse 1,000 rushing yards in the campaign following their 2,000-yard season. Both players, Davis and Henry, were impacted by injuries that limited them to four and eight games respectively.

So, while 2,000-yard rushers typically see a drop-off, they still usually remain high-caliber starting running backs.

Who has the most rushing yards after a 2,000-yard season?

Barry Sanders owns the record for the most single-season rushing yards recorded immediately following a 2,000-yard season. Sanders ran for 1,491 yards during the 1999 season, which turned out to be his final NFL season.

Sanders was also the lone running back to record an increase in carries in the year following his 2,000-yard season. He ran the ball 335 times in 1998 before seeing that number increase to 343 in his final season.

Saquon Barkley stat projection 2025

• Carries: 308
• Rushing yards: 1,694
• Rushing TDs: 10
• Yards per carry: 5.5

Could Barkley become the first back to record multiple 2,000-yard seasons? That may prove difficult. That said, a path exists for Barkley to surpass Sanders’ record for a 2,000-yard season follow-up.

Barkley averaged a career-high 5.8 yards per carry last season, and much of that was buoyed by his elite offensive line. His blockers helped him to rack up an average of 3.8 yards before contact per run; Jahmyr Gibbs (3.3) and Derrick Henry (3.1) were the only other running backs league-wide to average better than 3 yards before contact per carry.

Philadelphia is returning four of its five starting offensive linemen from last season, with the lone exception being right guard Mekhi Becton, who signed with the Los Angeles Chargers. So long as 2023 third-round pick Tyler Steen proves to be a capable replacement, the blocking in front of Barkley should remain strong.

If that’s the case, Barkley will have more big-play potential than most backs around the NFL thanks to his blazing speed. Barkley led the league in runs of 40-plus yards (7) and recorded four of the 14 fastest speeds by a ball-carrier during the 2024 NFL season. His top speed of 21.93 mph was good for fourth-best in the league behind only Dallas Cowboys receiver KaVontae Turpin (22.36), Jacksonville Jaguars receiver Brian Thomas Jr. (22.15) and Gibbs (22.03).

If Barkley can continue to generate explosive plays, that will significantly boost his chances of once again topping the league’s rushing leaderboard.

Finally, it’s worth noting Barkley sat out the Eagles’ Week 18 game because the team had already clinched the NFC East and wasn’t in the running for the conference’s No. 1 seed. If he plays all 17 games in 2025, that would give him an extra contest to rack up yardage, which could give him a boost as he looks to repeat his 2,000-yard feat.

Still, while there are many reasons to be bullish on Barkley’s potential, it’s also worth noting he handled 482 total touches last season, including the playoffs. The Eagles may want to slightly limit his touches to avoid any significant fatigue or wear-and-tear, so he shouldn’t be expected to exceed his career-high carry total (345) from the previous season.

That slight regression should keep Barkley from going over 2,000 yards again, but Eagles fans can still expect him to be among the best running backs in the NFL.

Argentina will host Venezuela in a 2026 World Cup qualifying match, which is the defending World Cup champions’ last scheduled home match in the foreseeable future.

Messi, 38, acknowledged the significance of the occasion in a recent postgame interview with Inter Miami last week.

“It’s going to be a very special game for me because it’s the last one in the qualifying round I don’t know if there will be friendlies or more games after that,” Messi said during a postgame interview with Apple TV after Inter Miami’s win against Orlando City in the Leagues Cup semifinals on Aug. 27.

“It’s a very special game, which is why my family will be there with me – my wife, my children, my parents, my siblings, and everyone else that can, including my wife’s whole family. And that’s how we’re going to experience it.”

“After that, as I said, I don’t know what will happen, but that’s our intention,” Messi added.

Argentina has already qualified for the 2026 World Cup to be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, but Messi has yet to officially declare he will play in the tournament for the sixth time in his career.

Messi is under contract with Inter Miami through the end of the 2025 MLS season, with reported ongoing negotiations to sign an extension with the club.

Argentine national team coach Lionel Scaloni acknowledged the occasion during a press conference Wednesday, while adding the club would look to plan another match for Messi in Argentina when the time is right.

‘[Thursday] will be a beautiful, exciting game. Surely, it won’t be his last game in Argentina, and I saw that from the point of view that, if he decides it will be his last, we’ll make sure he gets to play another one,’ Scaloni said regarding Messi. ‘We’ll find the right moment, because he deserves it.’

When and where is the Argentina vs. Venezuela match?

The Sept. 4 match begins at 7:30 p.m. ET (8:30 p.m. in Argentina) at Mâs Monumental in Buenos Aires.

How to watch Argentina vs. Venezuela on Sept. 4?

The match will be broadcast on Universo and can be streamed on Fubo.

Watch Argentina vs. Venezuela on Fanatiz PPV

Is Messi going to play?

For the reasons listed above, it appears very likely Messi will play with Argentina against Venezuela.

When is the next time Messi will play with Argentina after Venezuela match?

Argentina will visit Ecuador on Sept. 9 to conclude Conmebol World Cup qualifying, but it’s possible Messi will return to South Florida as Inter Miami prepares for the last stretch of the 2025 MLS season.

Will Messi play with Argentina in October or November?

Messi could potentially participate in four more Argentina friendly matches later this year.

Argentina is planning to play two friendly matches in the United States between October 6-14 with locations and opponents to be determined. These friendlies would coincide with Inter Miami’s MLS season, potentially creating a scheduling conflict for Messi.

Argentina will also play two friendly matches between Nov. 10-18 in in Luanda, Angola, and Kerala, India with opponents to be determined. These friendlies would fall under a FIFA international window.

Messi’s upcoming schedule with Inter Miami and Argentina

• Sept. 4: Argentina vs. Venezuela (World Cup qualifying)
• Sept. 9: Ecuador vs. Argentina (World Cup qualifying)
• Sept. 13: Charlotte FC vs. Inter Miami, 7:30 p.m. (MLS regular season)
• Sept. 16: Inter Miami vs. Seattle Sounders, 7:30 p.m. (MLS regular season)
• Sept. 20: Inter Miami vs. D.C. United, 7:30 p.m. (MLS regular season)
• Sept. 24: New York City FC vs. Inter Miami, 7:30 p.m. (MLS regular season)
• Sept. 27: Toronto FC vs. Inter Miami, 4:30 p.m. (MLS regular season)
• Sept. 30: Inter Miami vs. Chicago Fire, 7:30 p.m. (MLS regular season)

AI-assisted summary
• The Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22 in Super Bowl 59 to cap off their 2024 season.
• Despite the championship, the Eagles are not receiving the typical buzz of a reigning Super Bowl victor ahead of the 2025 season.
• Philadelphia returns most of its dominant offense, including star running back Saquon Barkley and its signature ‘Tush Push’ play.

The Philadelphia Eagles capped off a dominant 2024 season with a 40-22 Super Bowl 59 thrashing of the Kansas City Chiefs. Philadelphia’s victory denied Kansas City an unprecedented three-peat and unofficially established the Eagles as the NFL’s new team to beat.

But you wouldn’t necessarily know it from the buzz – or lack thereof – surrounding the Eagles ahead of the 2025 NFL season.

Sure, the Eagles have gotten some love ahead of the upcoming campaign. Sportsbooks still favor Nick Sirianni’s squad to win the NFC, and they are among the league’s Super Bowl favorites as well.

Even so, the enthusiasm surrounding the Eagles doesn’t appear to match that of other recent Super Bowl victors.

What gives? Perhaps the Eagles are a victim of circumstance. They haven’t made many splashy changes to their team during the offseason while others in their conference – notably the Dallas Cowboys, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings – have, for better or worse.

Or maybe it’s because NFL fans and analysts remain hyper-focused on the dynastic Chiefs, who have won five of the last six AFC titles and carry a headline-making duo of Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce as their top players.

Whatever the case, the Eagles deserve more love than they have received ahead of the 2025 NFL season. Here’s why Philadelphia should be viewed as the Super Bowl 60 favorites.

The Eagles have impressive continuity on offense

The Eagles sported one of the NFL’s best offenses during the 2024 NFL season. The unit ranked eighth in yards per game (367.2), seventh in points per game (27.2) and sixth in offensive EPA while rivaling the Baltimore Ravens for the title of the NFL’s best rushing offense across all categories.

Some may be worried about the Eagles continuing to perform at a high clip in 2025 after offensive coordinator Kellen Moore took the New Orleans Saints coaching job during the offseason.

That said, the Eagles are returning 10 of the 11 players that started Super Bowl 59 to their offense in 2025. The lone exception is right guard Mekhi Becton, who signed with the Los Angeles Chargers in free agency.

Replacing Becton – who thrived as a run blocker in his lone season with the Eagles – won’t necessarily be easy for Philadelphia. His projected replacement, 2023 third-round pick Tyler Steen, graded 75th among 77 qualified guards last season, per Pro Football Focus.

Still, that’s just one potential hole about which the Eagles must worry on offense. And if top-tier offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland can help Steen take another step forward, Philadelphia’s offense could come out of the gates humming given the personnel’s familiarity with one another.

Saquon Barkley remains one of the best RBs in the NFL

Barkley was one of the Eagles’ shiny, new additions ahead of the 2024 campaign. There was optimism about what the free agent signee might do in his first season, but he vastly exceeded those expectations.

Barkley should continue to be a major weapon running behind an offensive line that helped him average a whopping 3.8 yards before contact last season, 0.5 yards per carry more than any other running back. The 28-year-old also still has a great top speed; he had four of the 14 fastest ball carrier speeds in the NFL last season, per NFL’s Next Gen Stats.

Does that mean Barkley will reach 2,000 yards again? Probably not, especially since he handled a whopping 480 touches last season, playoffs included.

Still, Barkley is in his prime and should be an explosive, three-down workhorse as the focal point of Philadelphia’s ground-dominant offense.

The ‘Tush Push’ is still legal

As if you needed another reason to love the Eagles offense in 2025, the NFL’s competition committee decided not to ban the team’s signature ‘Tush Push’ play during the offseason.

The Eagles were tough to stop in short-yardage situations because of the Tush Push. They converted 39 of their 48 attempts of the modified QB sneak into first downs or touchdowns last season, according to CBS Sports, good for a success rate of 81.25%.

With that weapon available, the Eagles should once again be among the NFL’s best short-yardage teams. That will allow them to extend drives thanks to Jalen Hurts’ powerful legs and wear opponents out using their elite running game.

The defense has young talent and an elite veteran coordinator

While Philadelphia’s starting offense remains largely the same as the one it had last year, its defense will look a lot different. The team parted with Milton Williams, Josh Sweat, Darius Slay and CJ Gardner-Johnson during the offseason, which shook up the team’s depth along the defensive front and in the secondary.

The good news for the Eagles? The team has a wealth of young talent in each position group, which should be ready to step into larger roles. Howie Roseman has always hoarded talent along the defensive line but has increasingly spent high-end draft capital on defensive backs like Quinyon Mitchell, Cooper DeJean, Sydney Brown and Andrew Mukuba to balance the roster.

Asking these players to step into bigger roles certainly comes with some risk, but having Vic Fangio should quell concerns about the Eagles’ stop unit taking any major step back.

Fangio, 67, has spent 24 years as an NFL defensive coordinator or head coach. Since 2018, he has coached four of his six defenses to top-10 scoring finishes and four to top-10 finishes in total yards allowed. That includes last season’s Eagles defense, which ranked No. 1 in yards allowed, No. 2 in points allowed and No. 2 in defensive EPA.

The Eagles remain without a big-time challenger in the NFC

The Eagles won the NFC last season. Who is to stop them from doing so again in 2025? There are many candidates, but all come with significant question marks.

The Lions were the NFC’s No. 1 seed last season, but they lost their offensive and defensive coordinators, Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn, to coaching jobs. Meanwhile, star center Frank Ragnow retired, which will add uncertainty to a Detroit offense that was already facing questions without Johnson available.

The Washington Commanders surprised many with a run to the NFC championship game last season, but are they ready to take another leap forward? If not, they may not yet be ready to surpass the Eagles, who went 2-1 against them last season and beat them 55-23 in the NFC championship game.

The Vikings and Rams were both playoff teams last season, but each is facing a question at quarterback. Minnesota is turning to first-year starter J.J. McCarthy to lead a loaded offense while Los Angeles is trusting 37-year-old Matthew Stafford to lead it as he battles a bad back. Both quarterbacks could pan out, but if they don’t, the Vikings and Rams could have lower floors than expected.

The Packers may be the most intriguing of the 2024 playoff teams that could challenge the Eagles. They traded for Micah Parsons on eve of the season, and he should provide a significant boost to their Super Bowl chances. Even so, Parsons is battling a back injury while quarterback Jordan Love, who was banged up often last season, missed most of the preseason because of a finger injury.

Several other NFC teams – namely the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and San Francisco 49ers – could work their way into the Super Bowl conversation, but the Eagles clearly have a leg up on their competition at present. A top challenger will eventually emerge, but at present, it’s hard to argue against the Eagles as the favorites to win their third NFC championship of the last four years.

A new NFL season brings hope to fanbases across the league. All 32 teams have a fresh outlook entering this season compared to when they last took the field for games in January – or February, if you’re the Philadelphia Eagles or Kansas City Chiefs.

The new season brings some changes on the field beyond just the starting players, coaching staffs or front offices. New rules typically accompany the start of a new season and 2025 is no different.

Fans will notice some changes to the kickoff procedure, overtime, celebrations and instant replay. There’s also going to be some new technology in the footballs themselves during the game to help improve quality of play.

That’s a lot to get in order as the Eagles and Dallas Cowboys ring in the new season in primetime on Thursday, Sept. 4 from Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.

We’re here to help you get everything in order ahead of Week 1 of the regular season.

NFL rule changes for 2025

Kickoff changes

Last season saw massive changes to NFL kickoffs that are permanent for the 2025 season. Teams will still be kicking from their 35-yard line with all players (except the kicker) lined up at the receiving team’s 40-yard line. Receiving teams will have at least nine players in the ‘set up zone’ between their own 35- and 30-yard lines.

Rule changes this year will affect touchbacks. The receiving team will now get the ball at their 35-yard line if the kickoff goes into or beyond the end zone, a change from the 30-yard line last year. If the ball bounces into the end zone, the receiving team will get the ball at their own 20-yard line.

Overtime possession changes

In 2025, the postseason and regular season overtime rules will be the same. Each team will have a chance to possess the ball in overtime. After a three-minute intermission, overtime will last 10 minutes at most.

Each team will have an opportunity to possess the ball and the team with more points after the first possession wins. If the score is still tied after the first possession for both teams, the next score wins.

If the team kicking off to start overtime scores a safety on the initial possession, the team that kicked off is the winner.

Replay rule changes

Replay officials can now assist on more plays than in 2024. Last year, replay officials at the league offices in New York could help during replay reviews and some administrative issues. This year they’ll be able to step in for more situations and help provide objective rulings.

Here are the situations in which replay officials can help in 2025:

• Spot of the ball or foul;
• Complete or incomplete pass;
• Touching of the ball or a line;
• Penalty enforcement;
• Confirmation of down;
• Game clock administration;
• Possession of a loose ball;
• Player down by contact when not ruled down on the field;
• Late hits out of bounds.

Replay officials can also assist for ruling on the following penalties:

• Roughing the passer (when only based on a hit to the passer’s head or neck area)
• Intentional Grounding;
• Unnecessary roughness based on forcibly contacting a runner when he is out of bounds or hitting a defenseless player’s head or neck area;
• Twisting, pulling or turning the facemask or helmet;
• Horse-collar tackle;
• Tripping;
• Roughing or running into the kicker.

‘Nose-wipe’ celebration penalty

The ‘nose-wipe’ gesture popularized by Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb is now added to the list of celebrations that will draw an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for 15 yards. The league claims that this gesture is related to gang activity.

Onside kick changes

NFL teams can now declare an onside kick at any point of the game so long as they are trailing. Last season, this was only allowed in the fourth quarter. These kicks will now be booted from the 34-yard line instead of the 35-yard line.

Hawk-Eye technology

Sony and the NFL partnered for this new technology to determine if a ball is crossed the line to gain for a first down. The new system uses six high-definition cameras positioned in each NFL stadium to determine where the ball is on the field. These cameras are controlled in the instant replay booth and will be the primary spotting system instead of a chain crew.

This system was trialed behind-the-scenes in 2024 and first deployed during the 2025 Hall of Fame Game.

The idea behind this is to speed up measurements for first downs and prevent potentially inaccurate measurements.

The road to the 2026 World Cup is a long one, and no fewer than 50 nations play qualifiers on Thursday, Sept. 4 as teams across the globe vie for one of the 48 bids to next year’s tournament.

For soccer fans, there’s a possible run of 15 straight hours of play available to watch. The slate of World Cup qualifiers will kick off in Africa, with Chad hosting Ghana at 9 a.m. ET, and the latest qualifying match of the day (Guatemala vs. El Salvador) won’t kick off until 10 p.m. ET.

The most pressure-packed game might come in South America, where Colombia and Bolivia face off in Barranquilla. Neither team has clinched a berth, and with two rounds left to play, a draw would eliminate the visitors. Meanwhile, Colombia has far loftier expectations than scraping by, and one more stumble would put them into a potential must-win next week at Venezuela.

Elsewhere, some of Europe’s biggest powers will be in action. Germany will face a potentially tricky trip to Slovakia, while Spain will head to Sofia to take on Bulgaria. The Netherlands, who have 10 goals for and none conceded after two matches, will host Poland in what could be one of their more difficult matches in Group G.

Here is a full list of every 2026 World Cup qualifier for Thursday, including start times and options to catch select games:

World Cup qualifiers today: Times, schedule, how to watch

All times Eastern.

Confederation of African Football

• Group A: Guinea-Bissau vs. Sierra Leone – 12 p.m.
• Group D: Angola vs. Libya – 12 p.m.
• Group D: Mauritius vs. Cape Verde – 12 p.m.
• Group D: Cameroon vs. Eswatini – 3 p.m.
• Group G: Algeria vs. Botswana – 3 p.m.
• Group H: São Tomé and Príncipe vs. Equatorial Guinea – 12 p.m.
• Group H: Tunisia vs. Liberia – 3 p.m.
• Group I: Chad vs. Ghana – 9 a.m.
• Group I: Madagascar vs. Central African Republic – 12 p.m.
• Group I: Mali vs. Comoros – 3 p.m.

Watch Thursday’s CAF World Cup qualifiers on ESPN+

Concacaf (North and Central America, and the Caribbean)

• Group A: Suriname vs. Panama – 5:30 p.m.
• Group A: Guatemala vs. El Salvador – 10 p.m.

Watch Concacaf World Cup qualifying on Fubo (free trial)

CONMEBOL (South America)

• Matchday 17: Uruguay vs. Peru – 7:30 p.m.
• Matchday 17: Colombia vs. Bolivia – 7:30 p.m.
• Matchday 17: Paraguay vs. Ecuador – 7:30 p.m.
• Matchday 17: Argentina vs. Venezuela – 7:30 p.m.
• Matchday 17: Brazil vs. Chile – 8:30 p.m.

UEFA (Europe)

• Group A: Luxembourg vs. Northern Ireland – 2:45 p.m.
• Group A: Slovakia vs. Germany – 2:45 p.m.
• Group E: Georgia vs. Turkey – 12 p.m.
• Group E: Bulgaria vs. Spain – 2:45 p.m.
• Group G: Lithuania vs. Malta – 12 p.m.
• Group G: Netherlands vs. Poland – 2:45 p.m.
• Group J: Kazakhstan vs. Wales – 10 a.m.
• Group J: Liechtenstein vs. Belgium – 2:45 p.m.

Watch Thursday’s UEFA World Cup qualifying games on Fubo (free trial)