“I do my homework”: Emmanuel Acho doubles down on Saquon Barkley regression while hitting back at ex-Eagles LB

Emmanuel Acho on Tuesday hit back at Seth Joyner’s criticism of his comments about Saquon Barkley. Following the Philadelphia Eagles’ 24-21 loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, Acho criticized Barkley. However, Joyner, a former Eagles linebacker, contended that Acho’s analysis is flawed, believing Philly’s offensive line, not the running back, is the problem. Acho then responded on his “Speakeasy” podcast.

“Here's the thing. I do my homework,” Acho said. “I never said Saquon Barkley lost a step. I said he's regressed this season, statistically as well. But how come Saquon Barkley, that's averaging three point yards per carry is watching Tank Bigsby, the Eagles backup running back, average 9 point yards per carry?

“What I've noticed when I watch film, and I'm going to show you all a bit of it, is that Saquon Barkley does less when he's given less, and he does more when he's given more. Acho, what the hell does that even mean? If Saquon Barkley does not have a hole, he ain't going to give you all that much.”

Barkley, who won the Offensive Player of the Year last season, has rushed for 684 yards and four touchdowns on 185 carries in 2025. He's not been as effective as expected of him this season on the Eagles offense, creating some problems.

What Seth Joyner said on Emmanuel Acho’s initial comment on Saquon Barkley

In his appearance on the “WIP Morning Show” on Monday, Seth Joyner had a tough response to the take Emmanuel Acho made on Saquon Barkley after the Sunday game. The Eagles legend criticized Acho's analysis, pointing out where the problem really is.

“I'm watching Emmanuel Acho yesterday, him and Shady and their podcast and he's talking about, ‘Oh, nobody's talking about Saquon's not what he was,’” Joyner said. “Man, shut the hell up. Because you know what? You don't know anything.

“If you're a football guru and you're watching football with your eyes, especially as a defensive player, and you're looking at how pathetic this offensive line is playing right now, there's not a thing in your mind that says that you believe that Saquon Barkley is not what he was. That's just nonsensical. The offensive line is the issue.”

Due to injury struggles, the Eagles' offensive line, which has been a dominant front in the last couple of years, has been inconsistent. It has failed to provide the needed protection, contributing to an ineffective run game and the overall regression of the offense.