PITTSBURGH – The Pittsburgh Steelers have one of the best defenses in the NFL, but they are going to have their hands full with Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley in Week 15.
Barkley is starting to run away as the NFL’s rushing leader with 1,623 yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground.
Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen doesn’t think there’s an argument for anyone else as the league’s best back.
“I think Saquon’s got that title this year,” Queen said. “You see what he’s doing. He’s unstoppable right now. Getting in space, even when he’s not in space, he’s able to break tackles and stuff. Just all around a good back. Elusive. Strong. Can make multiple guys miss at one time. He’s definitely the No. 1 running back in the league.”
Barkley isn’t just having a great season, though. He’s on pace to have an historic season.
The 27-year-old is currently on track to finish the with 2,122 rushing yards, which would break Eric Dickerson’s all-time record of 2,105 yards in a single season.
Queen knows that will only fuel him more with just four weeks left to be played.
“That’s huge,” Queen said. “It’s been a while since that been up there. For him to find a new team and get to the part of his career, it’s just something that you don’t see that often. That’s hats off to his teammates, his offensive coordinator, his line and him.”
The Steelers are entering the matchup with one of the better run defenses in the NFL. They are currently allowing the fourth-fewest rushing yards per game (91.5) in the league.
That’s why Queen doesn’t think there will be a secret to slowing Barkley down, just simply everyone playing their part.
“Everybody gotta do their job. That’s all it really comes to,” Queen said. “I think some teams are unaware of how good Saquon is. That’s gotta be your focus, especially playing a guy like that, a team like that with all the pieces they got.”
The Steelers are in control of their own destiny with one month left in the regular season as they sit atop the AFC North at 10-3. However, they can’t let up anytime soon as their next three opponents have a combined 31-8 record.
Queen wouldn’t have it any other way.
“That’s why I’m in the league. Period,” Queen said. “When you sign up to play football, you wanna play at the highest level. You don’t love the sport if you don’t look at it that way.”