PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Saquon Barkley's wicked run defied gravity. The former high school high jumper used a Jump back over a defender's head for a first down, a spontaneous, astonishing performance that left the Eagles behind – and a big part of the sports world – amazed.

Barkley went up and then booked the move to a higher power.

“Sometimes,” he said, “you just have to let go and let your God-given instincts take over.”

In Philadelphia, the Eagles (6-2) learned through eight games that it might be best for coach Nick Sirianni to let go and let Barkley take over the offense.

At his best, Barkley's play elevated him among the best in the NFL, and his otherworldly performances only added to his reputation as the best NFL free agent signing of the offseason.

Barkley's performance in the last four games – including 199 total yards and two touchdowns in one Victory over Jacksonville – are a key reason the Eagles have won four straight games without a break.

“We knew he was special. “Especially when you're getting ready to play against special players in this league, they tend to take up so much time that you think about them and prepare to stop them,” Sirianni said. “I think being around him every day, it's safe to say, yes, he's even more special than I could have ever imagined.”

Yes, the Eagles have enjoyed a schedule that has taken a toll on some of the NFL's worst teams, but it's how they corrected some mistakes early in the season that have made them a threat in the NFC once again.

The Eagles looked a bit like a Barkley run – head backwards – through the first four games of the season.

Jalen Hurts was a turnover machine with four interceptions and five fumbles in the first four games. There have been no turnovers, six passing touchdowns and six rushing scores in the last four games. After scoring three touchdowns in the season opener, Barkley was limited to a total of 28 carries in consecutive games against Tampa Bay and Cleveland. Since then, he has had three straight 100-yard rushing games, including 159 yards against the Jaguars.

The Eagles even scored their first points this season in the first quarter.

Next up are games against Dallas and Washington, which should go a long way in deciding who wins the NFC East.

What works

The offense. Hurts has found his groove, Barkley is perhaps the best running back in the NFL and the Eagles have reduced their turnovers since a tough first four games to make them a force in the division. The Eagles rank third in the NFL in rushing offense and are tied for second in rushing touchdowns.

What needs help

Short barrel length. The Eagles have been celebrated the past two seasons for their “tush push” play, which led to automatic first downs and touchdowns.

But they failed in their short-yardage bets at critical times this season, and the failures were clearly visible against Jacksonville.

The Eagles took an 0-2 lead on fourth down and chose to extend drives rather than make field goals within 45 yards. They also failed on 2-point conversion attempts three times, including twice when Hurts was stopped on the tush push.

A 22-0 lead in the third quarter turned into a 28-23 victory, which was only secured by Nakobe Dean's game-saving interception in the end zone.

Stock up

Barkley. He is the highest-paid running back in franchise history and — on a day when the franchise's leading rusher, LeSean McCoy, was inducted into the team's Hall of Fame — he could prove to be the best player ever in the backfield .

Barkley has already reached more than 1,000 scrimmage yards this season, joining McCoy (2011 and 2013) and Brian Westbrook (2007) as just the third Eagles player since the NFL merger in 1970 to reach this milestone in the first eight games of a season reached.

He also joined McCoy in 2011 (1,009 yards and 11 TDs) and was the only Eagles player to have 1,000 or more scrimmage yards and more than eight TDs in the first eight games of a season.

He joins Westbrook (2006) and Wilbert Montgomery (1978, 1979 and 1981) as the third Eagles player to rush for more than 100 yards in three consecutive games. He is the first Eagles player with five games over 100 yards in eight games since McCoy in 2013 (seven).

Inventory reduced

Sirianni. He Pine with compartments. His enigmatic style of play leaves points on the table. It took a lot Persuading the players let the ball run more. Is he too passionate? Too arrogant? Does he give too much?

Sirianni takes his share of fair criticism – it's hard to imagine that all of his coaching missteps wouldn't have cost the Eagles against a better team than the Jaguars.

There is room for improvement on the sidelines. Here's the problem for all you Sirianni haters, though: He wins. With three playoff appearances, a Super Bowl trip and now a four-game winning streak, Sirianni's hot seat is as cool as a park bench on a crisp fall day.

Injuries

The Eagles lost 1,000-yard wide receiver AJ Brown to a knee injury. Brown's injury did not appear to be serious, but he has already missed three games this season with a hamstring injury.

Key number

28-43 – The Eagles have solidified their record by playing some of the worst teams in the NFL. Their last three opponents – the Jaguars, Bengals and Giants – have combined for eight wins. The second half schedule will be tighter, with two games against Washington and meetings with Baltimore and the Rams.

What's next?

The Eagles can't afford any slip-ups as they travel to Dallas to play the 3-5 Cowboys on Sunday. Beat that rival and it sets up a showdown with Washington on Thursday night, with top spot in the NFC East potentially at stake.

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