Heading into Sunday's Week 7 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings, All-World Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley ranks 28th in the NFL in rushing yards per game at 54.2, which is far from the 125.3 yards he gained on the ground per contest last season.
Despite Barkley's struggles, stopping him still needs to be a major priority for the Vikings this weekend, especially since their defense has been unexpectedly underwhelming against opposing rushing attacks this year.
After ranking fourth in the league in rushing yards allowed per carry both last season and in 2023 under defensive coordinator Brian Flores, Minnesota currently ranks 21st in the category.
The Vikings have had an extra week to prepare for Sunday's game, and hopefully, they worked on some ways to improve their run defense during that extended time off.
Return of Blake Cashman should help the Minnesota Vikings stop Philadelphia Eagles RB Saquon Barkley
Not having linebacker Blake Cashman on the field in four of their first five games has definitely had something to do with Minnesota's struggles against the run this season. Thankfully, Cashman is expected to be back in the starting lineup on Sunday for the first time since the Vikings placed him on injured reserve in Week 2.
Overall, Minnesota's defense has still been able to perform at a very high level this season without Cashman, as they head into Week 7 as the NFL's No. 1-ranked unit in terms of defensive EPA per play according to data from Sumer Sports.
With the Vikings' top linebacker back this weekend, that No. 1 defense should get an even bigger boost when it comes to stopping the run. Minnesota currently ranks 24th in the league in defensive EPA per rush attempt, but last season, they ranked No. 1 in the NFL in that metric with Cashman appearing in 14 of their 17 games.
Stopping Barkley is never an easy task, but with Cashman expected to return, containing the reigning NFL Offensive Player of the Year should be a little easier for the Vikings on Sunday.