Judging by his monster afternoon Sunday against New Orleans, the team he beat for his first career victory last fall, Jalen Hurts isn't much for moderation. Like most of us will in a few days at Thanksgiving, Hurts put everything on his plate Sunday, pouring on 216 yards (147 passing, 69 rushing) in a tour de force performance at Lincoln Financial Field, a place where he hadn't won in over 11 months.
Hurts didn't save room for dessert, feasting on one of the league's stingiest defenses with a trio of rushing touchdowns, none more impressive than this spot-on Michael Vick impression late in the fourth quarter. This, ladies and gentlemen, is how ankles get broken.
Sunday's explosion upped his touchdown count to eight, three more than any other quarterback has rushed for this season (Ryan Tannehill and Sam Darnold each have five). Hurts, barring injury, seems all but certain to top the nine end-zone visits submitted by Vick in 2010, which stands as the franchise record for most rushing scores by a quarterback.
Despite showing glimpses as a rookie in 2020, Hurts entered his sophomore campaign and first as a full-time starter with plenty to prove. The Eagles could have as many as three top-ten picks, depending on how the season plays out, in next year's NFL Draft, the result of trades with San Francisco and Miami. That would give Howie Roseman and company ample opportunity to start fresh at quarterback—we've seen the Jets and Cardinals throw in the towel on failed first-rounders Sam Darnold and Josh Rosen in recent years. But Hurts' success of late, putting the Eagles in playoff contention by winning three of their last four games, has quickly made that a moot point.
Sure Hurts is still raw as a passer, leaving meat on the bone with a pedestrian 54.2 completion percentage against the Saints (6.1 yards per attempt), but his on-field chemistry with Heisman winner DeVonta Smith—who he shared a huddle with at Alabama—is growing by the week. And when all else fails, Hurts has shown he can get by on pure athleticism, tormenting opponents with his rushing prowess.
Hurts has long been a cheat code in fantasy football, but after rising to the occasion Sunday, Hurts looks well on his way to becoming a real-life difference-maker for a team that desperately needs one.
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