In a closely contested matchup, the Philadelphia Eagles edged out the Carolina Panthers with a final score of 22-16. While the victory marked the Eagles' ninth consecutive win, questions linger about the team's passing game, which has been less than stellar despite their continued success.
The Ground Game Lifts the Eagles
The Eagles' offensive performance was underscored by an impressive 209 rushing yards, highlighting their ability to dominate on the ground. This prowess was crucial in overcoming a modest aerial attack that recorded only 83 net passing yards. Quarterback Jalen Hurts demonstrated his dual-threat capabilities with five total touchdowns over the past two games—three passing and two rushing—showcasing his versatility and value to the team.
The performance drew reactions from Eagles’ wide receivers, reflecting a mix of satisfaction in victory and frustration with their off-kilter passing game. A.J. Brown didn't mince words, stating, "Passing. What we did today is not good enough. It won't help us." His sentiments were echoed by teammate DeVonta Smith, who acknowledged, "I think we can do a lot better. Pass game we can be a lot better... We didn't play up to our standard."
Jalen Hurts: The Dual-Edged Sword
Jalen Hurts, while delivering in crucial moments, again found himself scrutinized for his performance from the pocket. His passing statistics against Carolina were lukewarm, with only 108 passing yards and an average of 5.1 yards per attempt. "Winning is the main thing," Hurts commented, displaying a clear focus on team success over personal achievement. Yet, his struggles in connecting on deep passes were evident, completing only two of six attempts over 10 air yards, earning a passer rating of 59.0 on those throws.
Despite this, Hurts has shown resilience and maturity as a leader. "It isn't about solving anything. Everybody has a reason to want more," he stated. "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."
Defensive Backdrop
Carolina's defense, ranked 24th in passing yardage allowed and 27th in net yards per pass attempt, provided an opportunity for the Eagles to exploit through the air. However, the Eagles leaned heavily on their rushing attack, perhaps out of necessity rather than preference. Hurts' overall passer rating of 102.7 on 40 attempts stands in stark contrast to his league ranking, placing him last in passing yards among quarterbacks with two starts over the past two games.
Learning and Accountability
As the Eagles push towards extending their winning streak, the theme of accountability and improvement remains front and center. Offensive tackle Jordan Mailata spoke about the importance of humility and growth, emphasizing, "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."
The Eagles continue to thrive on their ability to adapt and evolve, a mindset captured by Hurts’ impressive nine-game passer rating of 113.7, ranking fourth in the NFL. His accuracy on deep throws has been a linchpin for the team's success during this period, illustrated by a passer rating of 126.0 on passes traveling beyond ten air yards.
The regular season is a marathon, not a sprint, and for the Philadelphia Eagles, maintaining a balance between ground dominance and aerial proficiency will be critical. As they navigate through the remaining schedule, the focus will likely remain on improving as a unit, ensuring that victories are not just a testament to grit but to tactical execution and team harmony.