The Philadelphia Eagles continue to soar, clinching their ninth consecutive win by overcoming the Carolina Panthers with a final scoreline of 22-16. However, amidst the celebration of another victory, there’s a growing murmuring about the Eagles' passing game—a crucial aspect that appears to falter despite their successful run.
Run Dominance Overshadows Passing Struggles
In a game where the Eagles exhibited their prowess in rushing, amassing an impressive 209 yards on the ground, questions linger regarding their aerial attack. The contrast between their rushing and passing stats could not be starker. With only 83 net passing yards recorded, there’s a clear spotlight on the team's need to balance their offensive strategy. Especially notable in this dynamic is quarterback Jalen Hurts, who, despite leading his team to another win, managed a mere 108 passing yards against a Carolina defense that ranks 24th in pass yardage allowed. His average of 5.1 yards per attempt underscores the pressure he faced in achieving downfield success.
Hurts Under Scrutiny
The scrutiny on Hurts' performance is perhaps warranted as he ranks last in passing yards among quarterbacks with two starts in the past two games. His effectiveness on deeper throws has especially been questioned, with his performance on passes exceeding 10 air yards highlighting the challenges—Hurts completed just two out of six such attempts, leading to a passer rating of 59.0. Despite these figures, his passer rating stands at 102.7 on 40 attempts, suggesting efficiency in the short-yardage game.
Looking beyond just the numbers, Jalen Hurts has continuously been a significant asset in the Eagles' prolific win streak, contributing five total touchdowns—three passing and two rushing—over the past two games. His ability to minimize errors despite the pressure is notable, with only two giveaways during these nine games, offsetting his 23 total touchdowns. His passer rating of 113.7 during this winning streak ranks fourth in the NFL, reflecting his overall contribution to the team's successes.
The Locker Room Perspective
Inside the Eagles' locker room, players and coaches alike acknowledge the need for improvement, particularly in their aerial strategy. "Passing. What we did today is not good enough. It won't help us," admitted wide receiver A.J. Brown, a sentiment echoed by fellow receiver DeVonta Smith, who emphasized, "I think we can do a lot better. Pass game we can be a lot better... We didn't play up to our standard." These frank assessments highlight a shared sentiment that while winning may be the primary goal, there's room to refine and elevate their offensive execution.
Quarterback Jalen Hurts, while celebrating the team’s ongoing success, also recognized the work ahead, stating, "Winning is the main thing," but adding, "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." His words reflect a mature understanding of the team's current performance and future potential.
In the trenches, lineman Jordan Mailata underscored the importance of accountability and growth, "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 Road Ahead
As the Eagles revel in their streak, the road ahead demands they address these offensive imbalances to maintain their unbeaten run and prove themselves as strong contenders. Their ability to synchronize their dynamic rushing game with a reinvigorated passing strategy could be pivotal in defining their season. With a locker room aware and eager to meet these challenges, Philadelphia seems poised to confront and conquer the obstacles that lie in their path, ensuring their winning ways translate into postseason success.