In a hard-fought contest, the Philadelphia Eagles extended their victorious streak to nine games with a 22-16 win over the Carolina Panthers. The triumph, though sweet, revealed areas needing improvement, particularly in the passing game. The Eagles' offense showcased its prowess on the ground, racking up an impressive 209 rushing yards, yet struggled through the air, earning a mere 83 net passing yards despite Carolina's relatively lenient defense against the pass.
Quarterback Jalen Hurts, while contributing significantly to the team's winning streak, has faced scrutiny regarding his recent performance. Hurts managed only 108 passing yards against the Panthers, averaging 5.1 yards per attempt. Such figures place him last in passing yards among quarterbacks with two starts over the past two games. On attempts that traveled beyond ten air yards, Hurts completed just two of six passes, resulting in a passer rating of 59.0.
Despite these struggles, Hurts' leadership has been pivotal, with his overall passer rating on 40 attempts standing at a respectable 102.7. Over the extended winning stretch, he has maintained a passer rating of 113.7, ranking fourth in the NFL. His ability to connect on deeper throws over recent games has garnered an even more impressive passer rating of 126.0.
Hurts' dual-threat capability remains a consistent asset, contributing five total touchdowns in the past two outings—three through the air and two on the ground. He has demonstrated ball security with only two giveaways compared to his 23 total touchdowns during the Eagles' streak. Yet the challenges in making downfield connections linger, a sentiment echoed by his teammates.
A Need for Improvement
Wide receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith voiced their thoughts on the current state of the passing game. "Passing. What we did today is not good enough. It won't help us," expressed Brown candidly, while Smith echoed, "I think we can do a lot better. Pass game we can be a lot better... We didn't play up to our standard." Such accountability reflects the team's drive for excellence and the understanding that there's room to grow.
Jalen Hurts, ever the leader, remains focused on the bigger picture. "Winning is the main thing," he stated, acknowledging the primary goal. However, Hurts emphasizes the importance of continuous improvement, "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 sync as a unit and play complementary ball."
A Collective Responsibility
Offensive tackle Jordan Mailata highlighted the need for the team to embrace constructive criticism and learning. "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," Mailata articulated. His statement reflects a foundational belief in accountability and growth within the team framework.
While the Eagles' rushing attack remains robust, leading to their successful outing against the Panthers, the clear message from players and coaches is their pursuit of a more balanced offense. As they continue their winning streak, Philadelphia's focus will be on refining the passing game to complement their dynamic ground efforts fully.
The Eagles' fans and the league have witnessed a team capable of resilient performances. However, as they push deeper into the season, the quest for perfection remains. Jalen Hurts, backed by a talented roster, seeks to synchronize both elements of the offense, ensuring that the Philadelphia Eagles remain formidable contenders with both their ground and aerial attacks. As they aim for a tenth straight victory, the challenge lies not just in maintaining their streak but in elevating their game to new heights.