Saquon Barkley’s wicked run defied gravity. The former high school high jumper used a reverse leap over the head of a defender to get a first down, a spontaneous, stupendous feat that left the Eagles gobsmacked.

Barkley’s efficiency supports an offensive system whose running game aims to shape the defense favorably to its will. Jalen Hurts leaped untouched into the end zone on an 18-yard touchdown run on a zone-read keeper with Kenneth Gainwell that gave the Eagles their initial three-score lead in the third quarter.