The Eagles needed this kind of game, a comfortable 38-20 win over the New York Giants on a Kelly Green Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field that started with running back Saquon Barkley ripping off a 65-yard run for a touchdown, featured quarterback Jalen Hurts throwing four touchdown passes, and a defense that smothered the Giants and quarterback Jaxson Dart.

The Eagles are 6-2 as they head into a few days of rest and refreshment and, boy, it feels great to be in this position. After losing to New York 17 days earlier, the Eagles played perhaps their best wall-to-wall game of the season on Sunday. It was a beauty to watch and a big win in the NFC East.

Here are my observations from a win that made everyone smile on a beautiful Sunday afternoon in South Philadelphia …

1. Saquon Barkley busts out

Play two of the game: A handoff left side to Saquon Barkley, and things break perfectly. Great blocking up front from Jordan Mailata, Landon Dickerson – who got to the second level and cleaned up – and Brett Toth. Help from wide receiver DeVonta Smith down the field. And then Barkley in the clear, down the sideline and outrunning the Giants’ defense on the way to a 65-yard touchdown run, a first-possession lead, a delirious crowd at Lincoln Financial Field, and the start of a fine game from No. 26.

He gained 150 rushing yards (his 10th such performance of his career) on 14 carries, an average of 10.7 yards per carry, with the touchdown. Barkley also contributed a touchdown in the receiving game and caught four passes for 24 yards in all.

The Eagles ran for 276 yards on 33 carries, and even after Barkley went out on the final play of the third quarter after a gain of 28 yards – he said he felt fine after the game, so take a deep breath – the offense still ground out the yards. Tank Bigsby, who made his backfield debut in Minnesota and had a nice 11-yard run, was outstanding against New York with 104 yards on nine carries. He looked fast, decisive, and he ran with power and had some moves. The Eagles are going to keep working with him to see how productive he can be in the offense moving forward.