The Philadelphia Eagles are on a three game skid since a 42-19 blowout loss to the San Francisco 49ers, a game in which defensive end Nick Bosa claimed to give out the “blueprint” to stopping quarterback Jalen Hurts.
The most recent loss came during a Monday Night Football matchup that saw Hurts go toe-to-toe with Seattle Seahawks backup quarterback Drew Lock. Lock outdueled Hurts in the air with 208 yards passing and the go-ahead touchdown pass to Jaxon Smith-Njigba with less than 30 seconds on the clock.
Hurts had just 143 yards passing as he completed 17 of his 31 pass attempts. Hurts had two interceptions, including a crucial game-sealing interception on a deep ball when the Eagles only needed about 15 yards to get into field goal position.
Eagles need 15 yards to get in field goal range
Jalen Hurts pic.twitter.com/IxWr0qRELs
— Kyle Pagan (@CBKylePagan) December 19, 2023
The only two touchdowns from Hurts came on the ground as a part of his 82 yard rushing effort. The Eagles outgained the Seahawks buy 78 yards on the ground, but turnovers were the difference in the end.
The “blueprint” Nick Bosa gave to stop Jalen Hurts and the Philadelphia Eagles lies within QB containment
A game in which the 49ers were seeking revenge for last year’s NFC Championship game saw the 49ers hold the Eagles to 46 yards rushing. Defensive end Nick Bosa and company say they’ve figured out the Jalen Hurts puzzle, and if other teams just study the film the example is there.
A Sports Illustrated article outlines the way in which Bosa claimed to show other teams how to stop Hurts.
“Yeah, I mean, you see it on tape, though,” Bosa told reporters. “Obviously, we put the blueprint out there. Hopefully the Cowboys watch the tape.
“We made Jalen stay in the pocket and escape outside instead of those B-gaps, and it paid off. Because Jalen is looking at the rush every play, so you just have to be disciplined and not give him that quick escape route where he can get to his guys quick.”
In this breakdown of the game from Brian Baldinger, one of the last plays shows how Hurts struggles when he is forced to escape the pocket. Hurts has a hard time keeping his eyes downfield when his first read isn’t there.
.@Eagles “everyone has to be better and it starts with me” @JalenHurts …and he is right. These 3 plays were critical. #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/TFfX6FjUYF
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) December 19, 2023
“When you play on a good team like this, a really good team, you have to sometimes give up some of the selfish-type statistics (such as) rushing out of your gap, stuff like that, for the bigger picture,” Bosa said. “And I think we did that great.
“We made Jalen stay in the pocket and escape outside instead of those B gaps, and it paid off.”
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts saw MVP hopes slip through his hands since 49ers game
Before losing to the 49ers in a big way in front of their home crowd, Hurts and the Eagles had the best record in the NFL at 10-1. Hurts found the endzone in every game, whether it was on his feet or through the air.
Since the, Hurts has only one passing touchdown, and had his first scoreless game against the Dallas Cowboys. The Monday Night Football loss was Hurts’ worst performance yet as he posted a season-low 40.1 passer rating. It was only the third game this season in which Hurts threw multiple interceptions.
After Monday’s game, Hurts is now tied for the most turnovers in the league with 17. Another main criticism of Hurts, especially last night, is his inability to check the ball down and take what the defense gives him. Both of Hurts’ interceptions against the Seahawks came as a result of him pushing the ball down the field unnecessarily.
Jalen Hurts missed a WIDE open check-down to Kenneth Gainwell on the game-losing interception play. No one in front of him for 20+ yards. #Eagles pic.twitter.com/O6v3jRi82k
— Eagles Nation (@PHLEaglesNation) December 19, 2023
The Eagles play on Monday again next week in a divisional matchup against the New York Giants. After having the best record in the league with just a handful of games left, the Eagles will now have to win on Christmas Day to have the same amount of divisional wins as the NFC East-leading Cowboys.
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1 Comment
As a Seahawks fan we needed this win a lot more than they did. Eagles will be fine. Hope Jalen gets to feeling better.