Jeff Hafley’s first week as defensive coordinator of the Green Bay Packers ended in Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley being named the NFC’s Offensive Player of the Week for Week 1 of the 2024 season.
Barkley went over 100 yards rushing, created 132 total yards and scored three total touchdowns in the Eagles’ 34-29 win over the Packers in the opening week.
Barkley’s 109 rushing yards were the sixth most in the NFL in Week 1 and the second-most by an NFC running back. More importantly, Barkley was the only player in the NFL to score three touchdowns during the opening week.
All three of Barkley’s touchdowns gave the Eagles a lead. The final score put the Eagles up for good.
Barkley beat Isaiah McDuffie for an 18-yard touchdown catch, burst through a wide-open hole for a 11-yard touchdown run and later finished a quick scoring drive following a turnover with a 2-yard touchdown run. He scored 18 of the Eagles’ 34 points.
Barkley finished with 24 rushes for 109 yards and two touchdowns and two catches for 23 yards and a touchdown. He had three runs over 10 yards, including a 34-yarder.
Last season, Jordan Love was the NFC’s Offensive Player of the Week in both Weeks 17 and 18, and the Packers were on the receiving end of Player of the Week performances from both Tommy DeVito of the New York Giants and Baker Mayfield of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Barkley’s last weekly award came in Week 1 of the 2022 season.
