In a fiercely contested matchup, the Philadelphia Eagles extended their winning streak to nine consecutive games, edging out the Carolina Panthers with a 22-16 victory. Despite the positive outcome, the game highlighted some underlying concerns about the Eagles' passing game, leading to introspection and calls for improvement among the players.
Rushing Might Overshadows Passing Struggles
The Eagles showcased their ground prowess, amassing an impressive 209 rushing yards. This aspect of their game has been a cornerstone during their winning streak, providing the necessary offensive momentum when the air attack falters. However, against the Panthers, the passing game appeared lackluster, with the Eagles managing only 83 net passing yards, a figure that belies their winning record.
Quarterback Jalen Hurts, who has been pivotal in the Eagles' recent success, managed a modest 108 passing yards, averaging just 5.1 yards per attempt. His statistics over the past two games put him at the bottom among quarterbacks with two starts, a fact that neither he nor the team took lightly.
Concerns and Reflections
While Hurts completed only two out of six attempts on passes traveling more than 10 air yards, resulting in a passer rating of 59.0 for such throws, he has been effective in other areas. Over the same nine-game stretch, similar throws have seen Hurts with a passer rating of 126.0, indicating potential that has been realized under different circumstances. Yet, these numbers were not enough to quell concerns, as voiced by the team's key players.
Star wide receiver A.J. Brown succinctly summarized the situation, saying, "Passing. What we did today is not good enough. It won't help us." His sentiment was echoed by teammate DeVonta Smith, who noted, "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 Balanced Perspective
Despite the critiques, there's recognition of the team's broader achievements. Hurts has been an instrumental leader, notching up five total touchdowns—three passing and two rushing—over the past two games, contributing significantly to the Eagles’ stronghold on the games. With a passer rating of 102.7 on 40 attempts, and an impressive 113.7 over the nine-game winning stretch ranking fourth in the NFL, Hurts showcases a blend of resilience and skill.
When asked about the focus, Hurts articulated a holistic view of the game: "Winning is the main thing." He elaborated on the team's approach to improvement, stating, "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 synch as a unit and play complementary ball."
Accountability and Moving Forward
Jordan Mailata, another key player, emphasized the importance of accountability, a staple of the team’s philosophy. He remarked, "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 mindset is poised to guide the Eagles as they tackle their passing game woes.
The Eagles' triumph over Carolina, characterized by strategic ground dominance and flashes of defensive brilliance, exemplifies the team's resilience. However, the clear acknowledgment of their passing game shortcomings signals an internal drive to refine their approach. The journey ahead for the Eagles will test their ability to integrate these learnings while maintaining their winning rhythm—evolution that must persist as they aim for continued success in the upcoming games.