We are a quarter-way through the 2022 NFL season, so now feels like a great time to review the Eagles season up to this point. If you haven’t been paying attention, Philadelphia is currently the NFL’s only undefeated team at 5-0. The season hasn’t been without its lumps, but the Eagles have played winning football. Below, we’ll be reviewing the Eagles’ season thus far, the team MVP, and what to look forward to down the line.
Season So Far
When the Eagles’ 2021 season ended, much was unknown. What did the Eagles have in Jalen Hurts? Would the team ever solve its wide receiver crisis? Defensively, could the team find a way to stop an elite offense? Each of these questions would need to be answered if Philadelphia were to have any chance of success in 2022.
Then Howie Roseman came in. He went to work in the offseason, signing the likes of Haason Reddick, James Bradberry, and Kyzir White. Then in the draft, he made the splashiest move of the offseason, trading for AJ Brown to fill out the Eagles’ receiver room. In just a few months, the roster went from not just an NFC East favorite, but a serious contender to win the conference.
These moves answered the latter two questions. AJ Brown has given the Eagles a true number one WR that the team hasn’t had since DeSean Jackson. This has also helped guys like Devonta Smith and Dallas Goedert to see increases in production. On defense, the unit has been stellar to this point, allowing just 17.8 points per game, 214.2 passing yards per game, and 105 rushing yards per game. All of these pieces have helped the Eagles start as well as they have. However, one player has improved like no one else, facilitating the Eagles’ ascension into elite status.
Eagles’ Quarter-Season MVP: Jalen Hurts
Yes, the Eagles look to have their guy in Jalen Hurts. Through five games, Hurts has passed for 1,359 yards and four touchdowns while rushing for six more touchdowns. He has looked fairly poised in the pocket, much more accurate than in 2021, and has made plays in key situations. The Eagles’ offense has gone to another level in 2022, and it is all thanks to the improvement of Hurts.
Now as a personal note, I’ll just be honest: I wasn’t a believer in Hurts. I watched him in 2021 and didn’t see a guy with enough arm talent or football IQ to succeed in the NFL. He often looked unsettled in the backfield, escaping the pocket too early and making terrible decisions and throws. He isn’t an insanely talented passer–that fact will never change–but the issue was that he didn’t have the traits to make up for it.
However, through five games, he has played as close to his ceiling as anyone could have hoped for. Does he still escape the pocket too early? Yes. Does he have an elite arm? No. But what he does have is a determination to succeed like no one else, and it’s shown in his development. He looks much more decisive in his scrambles, doesn’t hesitate to make the tight window throws, and just looks comfortable. On a team that just needed a guy to play mistake-free football, Hurts has done that and more. He has put the team on his back and is the reason for Philadelphia’s early success.
Future Outlook
Last week, the Eagles played the Arizona Cardinals in a game which showed the Eagles’ humanity. For the first time all year, they didn’t win in dominating fashion–the offense struggled after two quick scores and the defense looked sluggish. This game was a little concerning for Philadelphia’s future prospects.
However, there isn’t much reason for concern. One of the Eagles’ biggest issues in week five was their lack of player availability. On the o-line especially, three starters were out at one point. Because of that, Hurts looked a bit rattled at times and the offense was fairly ineffective. This isn’t expected to become a trend, with multiple starters looking to come back for the Eagles’ Sunday night game against Dallas.
Going forward, the Eagles are still a serious contender to win the NFC. Under an improved Hurts, the offense is tough to stop, and the defense has proven its viability. As long as the group can stay healthy, Philadelphia is in for a great season, likely the best one since 2017.
1 Comment
Hurts has much more talent than you give him credit for. Watch him continue to develop that talent. He has not reached his ceiling yet, and the determination that you pointed out will take him to the next level. He just gets better every year and has done so since starting as a 17 year old true freshman at a powerhouse school like Alabama.