Eagles RB Saquon Barkley stuns with a reverse hurdle for a first-down reception

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Saquon Barkley had no choice after a wicked spin move sent him slightly sideways and forced him to jump — make it, jump backwards.

Barkley's rear end sailed over the lowered head of Jaguars cornerback Jarrian Jones, creating an extraordinary hurdle for the Eagles running back that left mouths agape around the NFL on Sunday – and even left Lakers star LeBron James in awe.

“Saquon, you are amazing!!” James wrote in an Instagram story.

Eagles coach Nick Sirianni stammered to Philadelphia 28:23 victory about Jacksonville as he tried to find the words to describe the most acrobatic 14-yard reception of the NFL season.

“It was the best play I’ve ever seen,” Sirianni said.

Very easy. Different from the piece.

The call seemed pretty easy. Jalen Hurts looked left and threw a short third-and-6 pass from the Jacksonville 44-yard line to Barkley in the flat.

Barkley faked out a defender and executed a spin move that left another Jaguars defender prone on the ground before split-legged back-hopping over Jones, completing the first-down catch.

“Crazy,” wide receiver DeVonta Smith said. “I’ve never seen anything like this.”

Smith nearly matched Barkley with a play straight out of a video game with a one-handed 25-yard TD grab, reminiscent of the New York Jets receiver Garrett Wilson's catch last week — late in the fourth quarter that extended the Eagles' lead to 28-16.

In any other game, Smith would have secured the top spot in the social media highlight video.

Barkley made a huge jump — possibly only the running back's second-coolest move of the week after playing golf with him former President Barack Obama – that showed why the Eagles signed him away from New York and made him the highest-paid back in franchise history with one Three-year, $26 million contract guaranteed.

“I feel like God gave me the ability to play this position. He gave me some instincts,” Barkley said. “Sometimes you just have to let go and let your God-given instincts take over.”

Sirianni laughed as he said he had to double-check the oversized video board to make sure he really saw Barkley make the improbable possible.

“What I think is so cool is that there will be kids all over the country and all over Philadelphia — I really think about it — trying to make this game and talk about this game and simulate this game while they Play backyard soccer or.” “Pee wee soccer,” Sirianni said.

“They won’t be able to do it because I think he’s the only one in the world who can.”

From the grassroots to the Linc, there is only the running back who can make this play.

And he wears the Eagles' number 26.

Barkley — who also lost a fumble that sparked a Jacksonville comeback — otherwise finished with a great game. Barkley had 27 carries for 159 yards and a touchdown. He also had three receptions for 40 yards and a touchdown.

___

AP NFL: