What happened Sunday?

Did Jalen Hurts have a good game or something? That’s hard to believe with the way he is treated and viewed around here, especially this past week.

Anyone who reads my articles here should pretty much know my opinion on Hurts. I defend him when I can, but I take a lot of heat for it, especially this past week. Friends argued with me after the Eagles BEAT the Panthers, saying that Jalen Hurts is a problem.  So, this article is about to be my ode to No. 1.

I listen to 94.1 WIP almost every day, and all last week people called and complained about Hurts. It all started with A.J. Brown comments about the Eagles needing to improve their passing game, which was just blown out of proportion. People thought Brown was taking a shot at Hurts, which wasn’t the case. 

Brandon Graham made matters worse, and of course on WIP, saying Hurts and Brown were not as close as they used to be, adding drama to the situation. Hurts and Hurts both quickly shot down that false assertion.

Still, the talk of the town was that the Eagles have no passing game. Hurts is horrible, right? He’s overpaid. He’s not going to be able to help the team win alone. He’s just a glorified running back who can’t pass or read the field. Hurts isn’t that good, right?

Interesting take…. 

Hurts went 25 for 32 for 290 yards and two TDs to lead the Eagles to a 27-13 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, who led the AFC North and entered with a defense that  averaged 310.2 yards per game through Week 14. The Steelers were the fifth-ranked defense coming into the game Sunday. Hurts was making quick decisions and wasn’t holding onto the ball too long. He rushed for 45 yards and a score, as well. He was just dynamic in the win. 

He shut up the critics!

The Eagles have now won 10 straight games, which is a franchise record. During the winning streak, Hurts has thrown for 1, 962 yards and 14 touchdowns to go with 400 rushing yards and 12 rushing scores. 

Any questions?

Any doubts? 

TO ALL THE HATERS AND DOUBTERS, I forgive you. I really do. I just hope that everyone can see the truth. When Hurts is actually given the opportunity to throw more than 15-20 passes, he can be pretty good.

Why do we have so much hostility toward No. 1?

I said this the last two weeks when Hurts only had 19 passing attempts against the Ravens and 21 against the Panthers… LET HIM THROW MORE!!! He entered the game as the 31st-ranked quarterback in passing attempts.

He clearly has the ability when given the chance. He needs more opportunities, especially these last three games. I think he was being a little cautious after the bye week. He didn’t want to take too many chances, fearing for more turnovers. I saw a confident Hurts on Sunday. He was poised in the pocket. He made dynamic plays and accurate passes. He made smart decisions; That is the Hurts we all know!

Hurts needs to get ready for the playoffs. He will have to throw more against better competition, like he did Sunday. If the Eagles play the Lions, Hurts will most likely need to throw more. 

Also, Saquon Barkley needs to rest before going into the postseason. As much as I love and defend Hurts, Barkley is the driving force of this offense. I’m glad that he only got 19 carries for 65 yards. The Eagles need to keep him fresh for the playoffs. 

But this win was a statement from Hurts, Brown, DeVonta Smith, Kellen Moore, Nick Sirianni and everyone involved in the passing game, which is alive and well, for those doubters out there. It shows this offense DOES have a passing game, and a good one.  It shows this IS a balanced offense.

The Eagles outgained the Steelers 401-163. Under Mike Tomlin, the Steelers have never been outgained by 238 yards. Tomlin has been their coach since 2007.

In the locker room after the game, Eagles coach Nick Sirianni shared a message with his players: “You want us to run it? We can run it. You want us to pass it? How ’bout that passing game?”

Hurts and the Eagles had 104 passing yards in just the first quarter. Hurts was amazing from the start. Moore kept dialing up passing plays and, for some reason, it worked. Go figure! I was completely shocked… NOT!!

“I thought Jalen did a great job of taking what the defense gave him, getting the ball to our (receivers). We had two 100-yard receivers,’ Sirianni said. “I always think that it’s cool when that happens, and Jalen was in complete control. Just another good day by him. It was good…

“So, yeah, today was really good. We threw for more yards, so I know that’s going to be — hell, the passing game is back. I don’t think the passing game was anywhere. I think it’s been a little bit blown out of proportion because of how efficient we’ve been. You guys will check the numbers after I say that, and you’ll probably agree.”

Before his postgame interview, Hurts said to the media: “So that’s what you all wanted to see, huh?”

“Scrutiny is never-ending. It’s nothing new,” Hurts later said. “That’s something that I find a thrill in. I appreciate being told I can’t and that we can’t. I know that I lead this team, and it takes a lot out of it. It demands a lot out of you. And I just want to show up and be the best teammate, quarterback, and be the best I can be for the guys on the team.”

Seriously, the last two weeks weren’t great for the passing game. I’ll admit it! But I knew it was there. Hurts just needed the opportunity. The Eagles have been heavily run-focused, and rightfully so. The run game is just so explosive. But they need to be more balanced going into the playoffs, and they showed that.

Brown finished with eight receptions for 110 yards and a touchdown. Smith added 109 yards on 11 receptions — his career-high in catches and his most yards since last November. He also had a touchdown Sunday. 

And how about that final drive? The Eagles took over on their own 3-yard line with 10 minutes, 29 seconds remaining, and then Hurts and the offense put together an 88-yard, 21-play drive to chew up the clock. The Steelers, who decided to punt down two scores, assuming they could stop Hurts and company to get the ball back, never touched the football again. Tough luck…

Think about it… the Eagles put together almost an 11-minute drive to end the game!! Wow!! A 10:29 drive is unheard of. The Eagles were 4 for 5 on third down on that drive. They also converted a fourth down attempt to keep that drive alive. Hurts threw for 78 yards on five completions on that run-out-the-clock situation. Again, the drive lasted almost an entire quarter. 

As a Hurts defender, I loved this game. The Eagles won, which is always the most important thing, but Hurts was sharp in the process. It’s so satisfying. I would love for this every week.

Sunday’s win re-established the Eagles’ offensive identity. Again, the Steelers weren’t an easy team to beat, especially defensively. Hurts came out and performed very well against a stout defense. It was great!

Now that my rant is over, let’s say one more thing bout Sunday’s game. 

What a win!!

Really… WHAT A WIN!!

I was a little nervous going into the game. The Steelers have been really good. Their defense is solid, and that offense has been playing well. I am shocked how well Russell Wilson has been playing, but you have to give him credit. He has been stepping up to the plate. 

But the Eagles defense again shined. Wilson only had 128 passing yards. Najee Harris rushed for just 14 yards. Sure, the Steelers were without George Pickens, who is their top receiver, but that is not an excuse. The Eagles defense has now allowed 20 or fewer points in 10 straight games. The Steelers’ 13 points were their lowest since their Week 3 win over the Broncos. 

Hurts fumbled late in the first quarter, which gave the Steeler the ball in Philadelphia territory. The Eagles defense forced a three-and-out. On the ensuing punt, Cooper DeJean fumbled and gave the Steelers possession at the Eagles’ 11-yard line. The defense again forced a three-and-out, and the Steelers had to settle for a Chris Boswell field goal. 

Two straight turnovers and the Steelers only got three points to show for it. 

Just another dominant defensive performance. Nakobe Dean was all over the field, finishing with a team-leading 10 tackles. Darius Slay recovered a fumble

Now, the Eagles can clinch the NFC East with a win over Washington. And, really, I don’t see this team slowing down. If the Eagles beat Washington, they should beat the Giants and the Cowboys, ending the season 15-2. That thought gave me goosebumps!