EXCLUSIVE
Saquon Barkley vs Derrick Henry debate settled and there’s only one answer for best running back in NFL on Hall of Fame path
Derrick Henry has rushed for more than 10,000 yards and won NFL Offensive Player of the Year.
Saquon Barkley is leading the league in rushing this season and been immortalized in a Madden video game.
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The cheapest ticket for the Philadelphia Eagles versus the Baltimore Ravens on Suꦅnday is going for $277, with fans eager to watch Henry and Barkley zoom through holes on th♎e same big field.
It marks the first time since 2012 that two running backs (Adrian Peterson, Arian Foster) have entered a game with at least 1,300ꦓ yards.
But only one can be the "better"๊ running back, and talkSPORT Run Down host Will Gavin made his choicಞe clear between Henry and Barkley.
"Is Sa♏quon Barkley special?" Ga🌸vin said.
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"Yes. But I don't think he's Derrick Henry special."
Barkley does have an NFL-best 1,392 rushin𒁏g yards and als♉o tops the league in yards per carry (6.2).
After bouncing from New York to Philadelphia - much to the dismay of the Giants ownership - the former Penn State star is having a career year and spent this week in the middle of the MVP conversation.
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The 27-year-old Barkley bet on himself by leaving the Giants and hasn't looked back since.
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The Eagles (9-2) have won seven consecutive games and only trail the Detroit Lions in the NFC.
"Saquon Barkley is h♍aving an MVP level season," Gavin said.
"The New York Giants decided they couldn't possibly afford to pay Saquon Barkley -- they lowballed him massively, which is why he looked to leave in free agency."
Henry was interested in signing with the Dallas Cowboys after spending eight years with the Tennessee Titans.
Instead, he chose Baltimore and two-time MVP Lamar Jackson, signing a two-𝓰year, $16 million contrac✅t that has already been a huge bargain for the Ravens.
"The Cowboys claimed they couldn't find the money to sign Derrick Henry at 31 years old -- always a bit rich for their blood," Gavin said.
"He ends up ♌going and having a sensational season at Baltimo♐re, and is one of the reasons that that team is very much in playoff contention."
The 30-year-old Henry ranks꧋ second to Barkley in rushing ya🌞rds (1,325) and tops the NFL in rushing TDs (13).
His 6.0 YPC is also a career high, and Baltimore's offense has added another level of intensity with King Henry consistently breaking through the line.
Henry has 4,224 more career yards than Barkley, but the Ravens back entered the NFL two years earlie🥀r.
Touchdowns, YPC and games played all favor Henry.
So while Barkley might be the better back right now, there's no doubt who's had the better career -- thus far.
"Derrick Henry's done it for a decade now," Gavin said.
"Saquon Barkley is having one good season.
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&quo✤t;Saquon Bar🉐kley is not going to the Hall of Fame right now."
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