Who Should I Start? Saquon Barkley or Isiah Pacheco

Monday, February 10, 12:24 AM

Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley rushed for 57 yards on 25 carries during Sunday's Super Bowl LIX win over the Kansas City Chiefs. He also caught six of his seven targets for an additional 40 yards through the air. Barkley had a rare quiet game on the ground, averaging just 2.3 yards per carry despite handling heavy volume. He did boost his per-touch average with some solid receiving work, including an impressive catch down the right sideline. All in all, even though this certainly wasn't Barkley's best game, it may have been one of his most memorable. The Eagles toppled the Chiefs on the national stage, securing a Super Bowl title and ending Kansas City's run at a three-peat. The victory was a rewarding end to a phenomenal season for Barkley, who bet on himself by leaving the Giants to sign with Philadelphia, where he ultimately won Offensive Player of the Year. As long as Barkley stays healthy throughout the offseason, he should be the consensus 1.01 in 2025 fantasy football drafts.

Saturday, January 25, 4:25 AM

Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco has been a shell of his former self since returning from injury. Even when given the opportunity to start last week's contest, Pacheco remained inefficient and ceded work to veteran Kareem Hunt. The 25-year-old handled five carries for 18 yards against the Texans, compared to eight carries, 44 yards, and a touchdown for Hunt. Given the importance of the matchup and Pacheco's struggles, the Chiefs likely lean on Hunt as their workhorse back in the AFC Championship game this Sunday. Kansas City will face the potent Buffalo Bills in Arrowhead to determine who will represent the AFC in the Super Bowl. With the Chiefs searching for a historic three-peat, the stakes are too high to rely on Pacheco. The second-year back should not be viewed as a start-worthy asset in fantasy playoff leagues and should be considered a dart-throw option in DFS leagues.