Mon Jan 13 10:10:00 UTC 2025: ## Barkley Slides, Saving Eagles’ Win, Breaking Bettors’ Hearts
**Philadelphia, PA** – Saquon Barkley’s decision to slide instead of scoring a late touchdown in the Philadelphia Eagles’ 22-10 victory over the Green Bay Packers on Sunday has sparked considerable discussion, particularly among sports bettors. With the Eagles comfortably ahead and the clock winding down, Barkley broke free for a seemingly sure touchdown. However, he opted to slide, securing a first down instead.
This strategic move, while securing the win for the Eagles, dashed the hopes of numerous bettors who had wagered heavily on Barkley to score. His touchdown was one of the most popular bets across multiple sportsbooks, even topping other players in Sunday’s playoff games. At ESPN BET, it was the third most popular leg in NFL parlays.
Barkley defended his decision post-game, stating, “It’s first down, you win the game, so it’s get the first down and get down. Don’t matter.” The running back finished the game with 119 rushing yards, but the absence of a touchdown cost many bettors. Despite being a heavy favorite to score (-190 at ESPN BET), Barkley prioritized securing the victory over personal statistics and potential payouts for gamblers.
First Piper 