PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Jalen Hurts showed the Tennessee Titans — and anyone else watching — just how well he can play quarterback.
asserted
he → show → quarterback
With no timeouts, 1:56 remaining and the Eagles trailing by three points on Sunday, Hurts led a nine-play, 65-yard drive that ended with a 3-yard touchdown pass to Darius Cooper with 9 seconds remaining, giving Philadelphia a 24-20 victory.
“That drive down the field was a big-time drive,” Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said.
asserted
Sirianni → remain → field
The stellar play from Hurts in crunch time followed comments by Tennessee’s Jeffery Simmons in the lead-up to the game in which the Pro Bowl defensive tackle said a key for the Titans would be to make Hurts play quarterback.
asserted
Hurts → follow → quarterback
Simmons explained the comment after the game by saying the Titans wanted to keep Hurts in the pocket.
asserted
Titans → explain → pocket
“I heard it,” Hurts said.
asserted
Hurts → hear → it
“Happy we won.”
asserted
we → win → ?
Hurts finished 26 of 37 for 264 yards with a pair of touchdowns and two interceptions.
asserted
Hurts → finish → touchdowns
He went 6 of 8 for 61 yards on the final drive, including a 20-yard pass down the right sideline to Dontayvion Wicks and a 19-yard strike down the left sideline to DeVonta Smith to the Titans 3-yard line.
asserted
He → go → line
He then found Cooper in the back of the end zone, and the second-year undrafted free agent from Tarleton State made a leaping reception for his first career touchdown.
asserted
agent → find → touchdown
“I knew Darius Cooper would be ready to make a play when he needed to make a play,” Sirianni said.
asserted
Sirianni → know → play
Philadelphia’s coach also knew that Hurts would be poised under pressure.
asserted
Hurts → know → pressure
“Proud of the way he played and the way he had his resolve, but that’s who he is,” Sirianni said.
asserted
Sirianni → play → resolve
“That doesn’t surprise me.
asserted
That → surprise → me
He’s that on a daily basis.
asserted
He → ’ → basis
It’s just a great example of your habits take over in this moment.
asserted
habits → ’ → moment
You can’t expect to be somebody different if you haven’t practiced that the entire time.
asserted
you → expect → that
And that’s who Jalen is.”
asserted
Jalen → ’ → ?
Hurts said the final drive was emblematic of his approach during all four quarters.
asserted
drive → say → quarters
“Same approach at the end of the game is the same approach throughout the game,” he said.
asserted
he → say → game
“Great focus and poise coming in and being able to maintain that throughout the game.
asserted
focus → come → game
That’s what it came down to.”
asserted
it → ’ → what
What’s working
Hurts continues to connect with receivers for explosive passing plays, an emphasis for the Eagles under new offensive coordinator Sean Mannion.
asserted
Hurts → work → Mannion
After hitting on three passes for more than 30 yards in Week 1, Hurts had three plays that went for at least 22 yards against Tennessee, including those crucial passes to Wicks and Smith on the final drive.
asserted
that → hit → drive
What needs help
asserted
needs → need → help
Pass protection remains an issue for the Eagles’ offensive line, which has allowed six sacks in two weeks.
asserted
which → remain → weeks
Smith finished with 10 receptions for 117 yards and a touchdown, bringing his two-game total to 13 catches for 170 yards in his new role at the No. 1 receiver after Philadelphia traded A.J. Brown in the offseason.
asserted
Philadelphia → finish → offseason
Philadelphia’s running game has stalled in the first two weeks.
asserted
game → stall → weeks
Excluding Hurts’ rushing yards, the Eagles have totaled 163 yards on the ground through two weeks, including 73 against the Titans.
asserted
Eagles → exclude → Titans
Injuries
RB Saquon Barkley (stinger) was injured on the game’s first play.
asserted
Barkley → injure → play
He returned early in the second half and finished with 9 yards on four carries.
asserted
He → return → carries
After leading Philadelphia with 77 yards receiving and two scores in Week 1, TE Dallas Goedert (knee) had one catch for 4 yards before leaving in the second quarter.
asserted
Goedert → lead → quarter
Key numbers
Philadelphia improved to 15-4 in September since 2021.
asserted
Philadelphia → improve → 2021
Next steps
The Eagles host Chicago on Monday, Sept. 28.
asserted
Eagles → host → Monday
The Aporia
