The Philadelphia Eagles and head coach Nick Sirianni made the decision to bench quarterback Jalen Hurts after finding themselves down 24-0 to the New York Giants.
The Eagles decided to play all of their starters in this week 18 matchup. They had an opportunity to win the NFC East by beating the Giants and having the Dallas Cowboys lose.
The Eagles have clinched a spot in the playoffs regardless of the outcome of these week 18 games. Sirianni decided to play the starters in an effort to get more favorable matchups in the playoffs. They would’ve had the No. 2 seed had everything gone their way this week.
If they lose to the Giants, they will be the first Wild Card team in the NFC. This means they will be the No. 5 seed, and will not get to play at home as they will take on the worst division winner in the playoffs.
The Philadelphia Eagles could have made this decision because of quarterback Jalen Hurts’ injured finger
Hurts suffered an injured finger in this game and that could have been the reason for his benching. It is unclear if this is the reason because Hurts continued to play with the injured finger. It could have nagged him more as the game went on, but he did not immediately come out.
Jalen Hurts’ middle finger does not look the way a middle finger is supposed to look.
He’s in the medical tent.pic.twitter.com/KVKejrMrff
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) January 7, 2024
The fact that star wide receiver A.J. Brown suffered an injury in this game could have also played a role in the decision to bench Hurts. Brown went down with a knee injury and did not return before the end of the first half. Brown was seen going to the locker room, and was downgraded to out for the rest of the game.
A.J. Brown #FlyEaglesFly
Right knee
Another injury caused by a hip-drop tackle.
Instead of an injury to the ankle, this appears to be to his knee.
In order of likelihood
1. MCL sprain
2. MCL + meniscus
3. MCL + ACLHe has a history of meniscal tear in this knee that… pic.twitter.com/JRZNNR1yhg
— Jesse Morse, MD (@DrJesseMorse) January 7, 2024
A.J. Brown is down holding his right knee pic.twitter.com/T9l6KMLpZH
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 7, 2024
Sirianni could have made the decision to bench Hurts after seeing the worst case scenario involving another star player.
The Philadelphia Eagles could have benched QB Jalen Hurts because of poor play
Before getting benched near the end of the half, Hurts had only accrued 55 yards passing. Hurts had an interception before he was benched, and it was his 20th turnover on the season.
Hurts 26.8 rating on seven completions did not allow the Eagles to score a single point before he was benched. Hurts had a 43.8% completion rate, and was without his leading receiver for the rest of the game.
Sirianni and the Eagles also might have been waving the white flag. They were facing a 24 point deficit, and may have just decided that it was not worth it to keep certain star players in the game. Especially because the Dallas Cowboys were in the lead in their game against the Washington Commanders.
Hurts has a remarkable ability to battle through adversity, according to Brown in an article from the New York Times
“He’s always fighting through adversity,” Brown said. “That’s who he is. It shows how he was raised. He’s always been calm, cool, collected.”
Hurts was not given a full chance to do so in the week 18 matchup with the Giants, but Hurts and the Eagles will have no shortage of adversity to battle through in the postseason.
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