For the Philadelphia Eagles, the defining narrative of their latest victory is a balance of triumph and scrutiny. Their 22-16 win over the Carolina Panthers marked their ninth consecutive victory, a streak that cements their status as one of the NFL's most formidable teams at the moment. However, beneath the veneer of success lies a passing game in need of introspection and improvement.
Ground Game Success, Passing Game Challenges
On Sunday, the Eagles showcased their formidable rushing capabilities, amassing 209 yards on the ground. This relentless ground attack helped them to outpace the Panthers and secure the win, underscoring a strategy that has been key to their ongoing success. However, the struggle in the passing department cannot be overlooked. The Eagles managed only 83 net passing yards against a Carolina defense ranked 24th in pass yardage allowed and 27th in net yards per pass attempt, a statistic that against a seemingly weaker defensive side, raises eyebrows.
Quarterback Jalen Hurts, while instrumental in orchestrating the team's victories, managed 108 passing yards with an average of 5.1 yards per attempt. His recent performances have placed him in an unusual spot amongst his peers, ranking last in passing yards among quarterbacks with two starts in the past two games. On passes that traveled more than 10 air yards, Hurts completed just two out of six attempts, resulting in a passer rating of 59.0. Reflecting on this, A.J. Brown candidly stated, "Passing. What we did today is not good enough. It won't help us."
Grueling Efficiency Underneath Success
Despite these hurdles, Hurts has maintained efficiency and effectiveness, contributing five total touchdowns over the past two games—three passing and two rushing. His overall passer rating on 40 attempts is a solid 102.7, buoyed by three touchdown passes. Notably, during the Eagles' nine-game winning journey, Hurts has been exceptionally careful with the ball, committing only two giveaways compared to 23 total touchdowns. His passer rating of 113.7 over this period ranks him fourth in the NFL.
While these statistics paint a picture of a quarterback capable of executing the game plan efficiently, the discrepancy in Hurts' performance on longer passes is a point of attention. Over the nine-game stretch, throws traveling beyond ten air yards have resulted in a passer rating of 126.0, revealing a capacity for deep strikes when rhythms align and opportunities are seized. Reflecting on the need for improvement, DeVonta Smith admitted, "I think we can do a lot better. Pass game we can be a lot better... We didn't play up to our standard."
The Eagles' Recipe for Winning
Jalen Hurts and his teammates are not oblivious to the need for refinement, embodying a collective drive to actualize their potential. "Winning is the main thing," Hurts opined, maintaining focus on the ultimate team goal while acknowledging the room for growth. His comments encapsulate a broader sentiment of personal accountability and progress. "It isn't about solving anything. Everybody has a reason to want more. It's a fair desire of being in fullness to where we can be because we've done it before. Just got to build, got to progress. Have to find a way to come together and synch as a unit and play complementary ball, " Hurts emphasized.
The call for collective responsibility resonates beyond the quarterback's lens. Offensive lineman Jordan Mailata echoed this sentiment: "We have to put our pride aside and take coaching. That is the form of accountability we harp on a lot. So that's what we have to do. We have to put our pride aside, admit your mistake, learn from it, and don't repeat it. And learn from others' mistakes."
Conclusion
For the Eagles, this juxtaposition of relentless winning and passing game challenges presents an intriguing narrative. Their commitment to excellence, fueled by introspection and a keen awareness of the team's potential, positions them well to address these concerns. As they continue their streak, the hope remains that Jalen Hurts and his receivers will find the synchronization necessary to maintain their winning ways while elevating their passing attack to new heights.