Eagles Soar to Ninth Consecutive Victory Despite Offensive Struggles
In a gritty display of determination and resilience, the Philadelphia Eagles triumphed over the Carolina Panthers with a 22-16 victory, marking their ninth consecutive win. This victory, however, was not without its struggles, particularly on the offensive front.
Ground Game Dominance Masks Passing Deficiencies
While the scoreline reflects another win for the Eagles, it also underscores a persistent issue within their offensive strategy: the passing game. Against the Panthers, the Eagles rushed for an impressive 209 yards, a testament to their ground game prowess. In stark contrast, they managed a meager 83 net passing yards, a statistic that raises eyebrows given Carolina's defense ranks 24th in pass yardage allowed and 27th in net yards per pass attempt.
Jalen Hurts, the Eagles' quarterback, was relatively modest in his passing accomplishments. He threw for 108 yards with an average of 5.1 yards per attempt. In the realm of deeper throws, Hurts faced challenges, completing just two out of six attempts on passes traveling more than 10 air yards, resulting in a passer rating of 59.0.
Player Reflections on Passing Game Issues
The Eagles' aerial struggles did not go unnoticed by the players themselves. Wide receiver A.J. Brown candidly expressed dissatisfaction, stating, "Passing. What we did today is not good enough. It won't help us." His sentiments were echoed by fellow receiver DeVonta Smith, who admitted, "I think we can do a lot better. Pass game we can be a lot better... We didn't play up to our standard."
Despite these challenges, Jalen Hurts remains optimistic, expressing a broader perspective on the game—and the season. "Winning is the main thing," he affirmed, emphasizing that the team is focused on building synergy and playing complementary football. "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," Hurts noted.
Building on Success: Next Steps for the Team
The Eagles' current winning streak reflects their ability to find ways to win, even when their performance isn't flawless. Hurts has been a pivotal figure in this success, contributing five total touchdowns—three passing and two rushing—across the last two games. Despite being last in passing yards among quarterbacks with two starts over the same period, Hurts has maintained an overall passer rating of 102.7 on 40 attempts.
During the Eagles' nine-game winning streak, Hurts committed only two giveaways compared to 23 total touchdowns, an impressive stat that positions him fourth in the NFL for passer ratings at 113.7. His ability to perform on throws traveling beyond ten air yards is particularly outstanding, yielding a passer rating of 126.0 during this stretch.
Looking beyond individual statistics, there's a clear understanding among the team that continued improvement requires a collective effort. Offensive lineman Jordan Mailata highlighted this need for accountability and teamwork: "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."
A Steadfast Focus on Victory
As the Eagles revel in their latest victory, their focus remains steadfastly on the horizon. Building on this momentum, addressing weaknesses, and maintaining a winning mentality will be crucial as they navigate the challenges that lie ahead. With Jalen Hurts and his teammates committed to growth and unity, the Philadelphia Eagles are poised to continue their journey in the pursuit of excellence, one game at a time.