It seemed automatic.
The Green Bay Packers did not have answers for the Eagles’ running game Sunday night in Philly’s 40-33 victory. The Eagles rushed for an incredible 363 yards, the second most in team history (their 376 in 1989 is the most).
Miles Sanders finished with a career-high 143 yards. His previous career-high was 134 yards in Week 4 against Jacksonville.
Jalen Hurts rushed for 157 with two passing TDs, becoming the first quarterback in NFL history to run for 150 and throw multiple touchdowns in a regular-season win.
The other also came against the Packers.
Colin Kaepernick had 181 yards and threw two TDs in a win in 2012. Earlier this month, Justin Fields rushed for 178 and threw three TDs in a loss.
The history lesson isn’t even over.
Sanders became the first player in team history since LeSean McCoy to have 140-plus rushing yards and two-plus touchdowns. Hurts’ 157 yards also set an Eagles record for a QB and are the fifth-most in NFL history.
Mike Vick had the previous team record with 130 yards.
Hurts also has 17 passing TDs and only three interceptions so far this season, making him the 13th QB in league history with at least 17 TDs and three or fewer INTs after 11 games.
And there are still doubters out there….
The Eagles are 10-1 for the fifth time in franchise history.
Are the Eagles a dominant team?
Well, a team doesn’t get to 10-1 without being great.
Hurts is clearly a strong MVP candidate and has shown time and time again he can carry this team.
Even when a mistake or turnover happens (for example, A.J. Brown the last two weeks), Hurts is incredibly calm. Hurts just makes something happen the next drive.
Hurts is smart, too. He rarely gets sacked and knows when to throw the ball away. He reads defenses almost perfectly and has outstanding timing. Remember, he sets the temperature of the room— he was right when he said that.
But it is not all about Hurts and the offense, which was great Sunday night. The last two weeks, they have started out slow. Hurts did keep them alive, but the unit wasn’t as strong and cohesive as Sunday night.
It was great to see them score 40 points.
The 33 points allowed was an issue.
That can’t continue to happen. Aaron Rodgers, as great as he is, was playing with a broken thumb. He threw two interceptions and has not been great this season. However, Rodgers is still capable of making plays… and that was obvious.
The Eagles let them score two quick TDs and take the lead. The Packers could have taken a 21-20 lead, but Mason Crosby missed the extra point.
Then Jordan Love had over 100 passing yards and a touchdown on nine attempts, including a 60-plus-yard TD to rookie Christian Watson, who just ran down the sideline into the end zone with ease.
Is Jonathan Gannon to blame?
Some think so, but he’s not playing the game.
The defense played well against the Colts and Commanders, and kept the Eagles in the game when the offense started sluggishly.
It was the same coach then, right?
The defense played bad Sunday night. Period.
Hopefully it’s fixed for the Titans.
Another concern is the special teams. There is so much space on every kickoff or punt, and opponents are having nine returns. It hasn’t cost the Eagles a game yet, but special teams definitely could down the road.
Even Nick Sirianni said special teams needs to be addressed.
The Titans will be the Eagles biggest test this season. Derrick Henry will be tough to stop, especially since Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon were able to find some success.
If the Eagles beat the Titans, it will say a lot.
Philly just has to play a complete game.
