In an exciting display of resilience and determination, the Philadelphia Eagles triumphed over the Carolina Panthers with a final score of 22-16, securing their ninth consecutive win in this remarkable streak. Yet, despite the victory, the mood among the Eagles’ key players suggests there is room for improvement, particularly in their passing game.
The Ground Game Proves Decisive
The Eagles demonstrated their prowess on the ground, amassing an impressive 209 rushing yards against the Panthers. This ground-and-pound strategy was a crucial factor in their success, overshadowing their struggles in the aerial attack. The Eagles, who only managed 83 net passing yards, relied heavily on their rushing game to drive them forward. As quarterback Jalen Hurts put it, "Winning is the main thing," underscoring the team's commitment to securing victories, regardless of the means.
Passing Game Under Scrutiny
Quarterback Jalen Hurts' performance in the passing attack has raised questions despite his overall contributions. Against the Panthers, he managed 108 passing yards, averaging just 5.1 yards per attempt. This performance places him at the bottom among quarterbacks with two starts over the past two games, highlighting ongoing challenges in his downfield passing efficiency. On passes exceeding 10 air yards, Hurts completed only two out of six attempts, resulting in a passer rating of just 59.0.
The critique resonates within the team. Wide receiver A.J. Brown was candid in his assessment: "Passing. What we did today is not good enough. It won't help us." Brown's sentiment is echoed by fellow receiver DeVonta Smith, who expressed a desire for improvement: "I think we can do a lot better. Pass game we can be a lot better... We didn't play up to our standard."
A Season of Contrasts
Hurts, however, has not been without his high points. Over the past two games, he has contributed five total touchdowns—three passing and two rushing. His overall passer rating stands at an impressive 102.7 across 40 attempts. Moreover, over the Eagles’ nine-game winning streak, Hurts has spearheaded an offense characterized by 23 total touchdowns compared to just two giveaways.
Despite the recent passing game struggles, Hurts maintains a passer rating of 113.7 during the winning streak, ranking fourth in the NFL. Interestingly, overthrows traveling beyond ten air yards during this stretch have yielded a passer rating of 126.0 for Hurts, suggesting the capability for success when targets are downfield.
Defensive Challenges and Adaptations
What may be surprising is the performance against Carolina's defense, which ranks 24th in pass yardage allowed and 27th in net yards per pass attempt. The Eagles' lower than expected passing yards highlight an area that should be exploitable against a defense struggling in this regard. Guard Jordan Mailata spoke on the necessary adjustments moving forward: "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." This attitude of adaptability and learning is what the Eagles will need to cultivate as they progress through the season.
It’s clear that while the Eagles’ ground game can muscle them past opponents, the aspirations in Philadelphia aim higher than just getting by. As Jalen Hurts rightly put it, "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.” This ethos of striving towards synchrony and balance will be pivotal as the Eagles continue their pursuit of excellence deeper into the season.