ASHBURN, Va. – Saquon Barkley is known for his boxing background, and the All-Pro running back for the Philadelphia Eagles has played this season with the intensity of a champion fighter.

Jab, jab, jab, cross, jab, jab  and then a decisive knockout strike. Just like his on-field performance: five-yard run, 4-yard run, 3-yard run, 10-yard run, 4-yard run, 5-yard run — and then breaking free for over 60 yards all the way to the end zone.

In this context, the Washington Commanders defense is gearing up for a major challenge.

“That’s the key. Just look at how he performed against the (Los Angeles) Rams; he broke through and made a big play – he can do it against anyone,” Commanders defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. noted. “We need to maintain our discipline on the front line and be prepared to flow to the second level.”

Barkley’s impressive touchdown runs of 62 and 78 yards during the divisional round contributed to the remarkable total of 140 rushing yards out of his 205, indicating that he managed just 65 yards on the remaining 24 carries.

Discipline will play a vital role in Washington’s plan to limit Barkley, who dominated the NFL with 2,005 rushing yards in the regular season (over 16 games). He set a record with six touchdowns of more than 60 yards in one season, an achievement never seen before in NFL history.

“He’s just waiting for one defender to slip up,” Commanders linebacker Bobby Wagner explained. “As soon as he sees that opportunity, he’s off. So our challenge is to remain disciplined throughout the game and recognize his talent for breaking loose at any moment.”

Whitt highlighted one of Barkley’s key strengths: his ability to evade middle-field safeties. He capitalizes on hesitant angles, while those who are overly confident can easily fall prey to his agile cutbacks.

“You must get to his inside hip decisively and bring him down,” Whitt emphasized. “Failing to do so means you likely won’t be able to make the tackle. Stopping this player involves all 11 defenders. If we don’t do it right, you’ll witness those explosive runs he gets against every other team.”

During their Week 16 matchup, Barkley rushed for a spectacular 68-yard touchdown in the first quarter and finished with 150 rushing yards on 29 carries. Previously, in a “Thursday Night Football” game, the Commanders managed to contain him for most of the game until he pulled off two long touchdown runs of 23 and 39 yards, shifting the game from a close score to a comfortable Eagles lead.

“It’s all about coming together to tackle him,” stated defensive tackle Daron Payne. “Everyone needs to converge, square him up, and take him down.”

While Barkley showed “home-run potential” during his six seasons with the New York Giants, he’s had his best season yet now with the Eagles, thanks in part to their exceptional offensive line and the dual threat posed by Jalen Hurts.

“There’s a blend of vision and lightning-fast agility when he starts and stops,” head coach Dan Quinn explained. “He has the quickness of a smaller back combined with the power of a larger one, an unusual yet highly effective combination.”

This season, the Commanders ranked 26th in defensive DVOA and found themselves at the bottom against runs that extended beyond the hash marks, according to ESPN. They also placed 30th in rushing yards surrendered per game (137.5).

Quinn and Whitt’s awareness of Barkley comes from their experiences facing him during the past three seasons while coaching the Dallas Cowboys, another team in the NFC East.

“Every time I’ve faced him, he’s been our focal point,” said Quinn, explaining that this focus is why Washington has prioritized tackling and maintaining discipline as the season comes to an end. “You have to master the fundamentals and consistently be in the right position, no matter how tedious it may feel.”

“Making tackles in games like these is essential. That’s why we work hard to ensure our fundamentals improve. While other teams may struggle, I want us to tackle better now than we did several months back.”

To effectively neutralize Barkley, winning battles at the front line is crucial, especially given the gap scheme mastered by Eagles offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland. This includes coordinated double-teams and the challenge posed by a talented receiving corps featuring A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, alongside an effective tight end in Dallas Goedert and a quarterback with running capabilities in Hurts.

Even with a lingering knee injury that made him appear hobbled against the Rams, Hurts remains a threat on the field.

“If he decides to run, we’re treating him like a running back and will hit him that way,” Whitt stated.

However, Barkley is the main focus of their plans.

“It all starts with No. 26,” said safety Jeremy Chinn, referencing Barkley’s jersey number. “We must prioritize stopping the run and limiting him.”

Going up against an elite running back challenges a defense to assess its capabilities, according to linebacker Frankie Luvu.

“Competing against the best brings out the best in you, and he’s undoubtedly among the finest to ever play the position,” he commented. “He’s having a standout year, and hats off to him, but whenever we meet him, it’s always going to be a tough battle. That’s the style of game we embrace: run hard and hit hard.”

The Commanders understand that stopping Barkley doesn’t automatically lead to success in New Orleans. But as Ric Flair – a famous wrestler, not a boxer – once said: to be the best, you need to defeat the best.