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 — and much of the sports world — 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.