Eagles’ New Star RB Shocks the NFL with 3 Touchdowns in Explosive Debut!

Saquon Barkley made a spectacular debut for the Philadelphia Eagles, scoring three touchdowns and leading them to a 34-29 victory over the Green Bay Packers on Friday night, marking the first NFL game ever played in South America, held in São Paulo.

 

Packers quarterback Jordan Love was helped off the field after suffering an injury with just 6 seconds remaining in the game. Backup QB Malik Willis was sacked by Zack Baun on the final play, preventing a last-second Hail Mary attempt from the Philadelphia 47-yard line.

 

Barkley, who previously spent six seasons with the New York Giants before joining the Eagles on a three-year, $37.75 million contract with $26 million guaranteed, rushed for 109 yards and scored on an 18-yard reception as well as runs of 11 and 2 yards. His performance made him the first player to score three touchdowns in his Eagles debut since Terrell Owens in 2004.

 

Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts completed 20 of 34 passes for 278 yards, with 2 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. A.J. Brown was a standout receiver, catching five passes for 119 yards, including a 67-yard touchdown.

 

On the Packers’ side, Jayden Reed shined with a 33-yard touchdown run and a 70-yard touchdown reception, the longest TD completion of Love’s career. Reed’s performance was historic, making him the first player since Hall of Famer Jim Brown in 1963 to score both a touchdown run and catch of over 30 yards in a season opener. He also had an apparent 38-yard touchdown on the first drive nullified due to a penalty, but still ended the game with four catches for 138 yards.

 

Love finished with 17 completions on 34 attempts for 260 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 1 interception.

 

Barkley’s third touchdown pushed the Eagles ahead 31-26 late in the third quarter, following an interception by Reed Blankenship that gave Philadelphia possession at Green Bay’s 25-yard line. The Eagles maintained their lead despite a Jaire Alexander interception in the end zone early in the fourth quarter. Green Bay responded by driving into the red zone but settled for a 26-yard field goal by rookie kicker Brayden Narveson, who went 3-for-4 on his attempts.

 

Philadelphia controlled the clock after that, and Jake Elliott sealed the game with a 21-yard field goal with just 27 seconds left.

 

While some Eagles players had expressed reluctance about traveling to Brazil, losing their home-field advantage for the season opener, the crowd at NeoQuímica Arena was an even mix of Packers and Eagles fans, along with many locals who cheered for both teams. However, players struggled with footing on the field, as the surface—praised in Brazilian soccer for its quality—had never hosted an American football game before. The hybrid field, made of grass and synthetic fiber, proved slippery, contributing to turnovers and a sloppy first half.

 

Despite early mistakes, both teams quickly found their rhythm, with six of the next seven possessions resulting in touchdowns.