Expectations for the Eagles are higher than they’ve been in quite some time with many anticipating a breakout season from third-year quarterback Jalen Hurts. Optimism in the Eagles stems from their strong offseason, headlined by Pro Bowlers James Bradberry and A.J. Brown, the latter acquired in a draft-night trade with Tennessee. Former Bengals and Seahawks receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh is particularly bullish on the Eagles’ chances, predicting them to represent the NFC in Super Bowl LVII.
“I believe the Eagles, quite possibly, will come out of the NFC,” Houshmandzadeh opined Wednesday while appearing on The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz. “If you look at them defensively, they’re stout at every position. Defensive line? Check. Linebackers? Check. Secondary with Darius Slay and [James] Bradberry. It’s really going to be, can Jalen Hurts take that next step?”
Hurts dominated with his legs last season, leading all quarterbacks in both rushing yards (781) and touchdowns (10), but wasn’t as successful throwing, completing just 61.3 percent of his passes for a pedestrian 209.6 yards per game. A former Heisman runner-up at Oklahoma (he transferred from Alabama after losing his starting job to Tua Tagovailoa, now of the Dolphins), Hurts should benefit from the arrival of Brown, a deep specialist who averaged a robust 68.7 yards per game with 26 touchdowns (24 receiving, one rushing, one return) over his three-year stint in Tennessee.
“They have two receivers that can really play in DeVonta Smith and A.J. Brown,” said Houshmandzadeh, who tied for the NFL lead with 112 catches in 2007. “We know they can run the ball. All of this is dependent on can Jalen Hurts take that next step, and I believe he will.”
Houshmandzadeh, who also discussed his relationship with former Bengals teammate Chad Johnson while reflecting on his difficult upbringing (which included watching his single mother battle drug addiction), knows the NFC is a gauntlet with Los Angeles and Tampa Bay each posing significant challenges. Still, he feels the Eagles are well-equipped, boasting one of the deepest rosters in football.
“The Rams, they’re not just going to give it up. But the Rams have a tough schedule. They play the AFC West. And then the Bucs, I don’t know what’s going to happen, when Tom Brady takes a sabbatical in training camp and how all this plays out,” said Houshmandzadeh, who, in his post-playing career, has contributed to Fox Sports, among other broadcast ventures. “But I like what the Eagles have done. I like what they did in the draft. They got young at positions they needed help at. If Jalen Hurts takes that next step, I think the Eagles can be special.”
That’s high praise for a team that barely made the playoffs a season ago, though there’s no denying Philadelphia’s dark horse potential, a compelling sleeper that should, at minimum, compete for a division title.
LISTEN on the Audacy App
Sign Up and Follow Audacy Sports
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram