The Philadelphia Eagles’ undefeated record to start the season came to an unexpected end in the Meadowlands. They managed just two touchdowns in the 20-14 loss to the Jets on Sunday afternoon.
NFL Insider Jason La Canfora of the Audacy original podcast “In The Huddle” discussed the Eagles’ lackluster performance that starts with quarterback Jalen Hurts.
“The Eagles are way worse against the pass this year than they were a year ago. They’re really kind of down across the board. How much of that is a hangover? How much of that is just natural regression? How much of that is other teams focused on you a little differently? I’m sure there’s some of all of that,” La Canfora said (10:40 in player above), “but the reality is the quarterback’s got to play better.
“I’m a big Jalen Hurts believer. Jalen Hurts earned that contract in every way, shape, and form. But his decision-making is looking like it did very early in his career. I don’t know if it’s because of the injury last year. I don’t know if that shoulder is still in some way – I don’t want to say compromised, but vulnerable? They just don’t seem to be willing to get nasty and down and dirty and pitch the ball around and play with that mesh point the way they did in the past. I think that really set up play-action. It really set up a lot of things for them.”
Last season, Hurts threw 22 touchdown passes with just six interceptions in 15 games. He’s already thrown one more interception and has just as many touchdown passes with seven through six contests.
Hurts has gotten away with a few turnovers in games this year but he and the Birds weren’t able to overcome his three interceptions against the Jets.
It’s not just Hurts, though. The entire Eagles team looks different this year after an offseason of change.
“D’Andre Swift had two games where he looked like a 1,500-yard rusher and then that has kind of dried up a little bit. They haven’t fully embraced playing option football the way they were certainly a year ago at this time,” La Canfora said (9:35 in player above). “They’re not going to set any sack records this year. They do get pressure, for sure, but a lot of it is interior and Jalen Carter being banged up is a big deal for them.”
Despite all of their warts, the Eagles still sit atop the NFC East and control their destiny.
“The good news for them is they play in the NFC and if they split with Dallas they’re going to win that division so they’re going to get a home playoff game,” La Canfora continued. “But this is not the juggernaut they were last year. It does not look the same in the box score or to the eye test.”
The Eagles suffered their first loss last Sunday and have a few tough tests coming up. They have home games against the Dolphins and Cowboys with a trip down to Washington in the middle ahead of their bye in Week 10.