For those who took a stroll down Broad Avenue on Monday morning, you in all probability noticed dozens of Philadelphians strolling with their heads down. Followers weren’t impressed with the Philadelphia Eagles’ 22-10 wild-card win in opposition to the Inexperienced Bay Packers on Sunday, however that is the fallacious manner to have a look at this efficiency.
Positive, the offense may’ve been significantly better. Jalen Hurts threw for less than 39 yards within the first half, A.J. Brown completed with only one catch for 10 yards and the offense went 2-for-11 on third down. Regardless of the ugly field rating, the Eagles nonetheless scored 22 factors in opposition to the sixth-ranked scoring protection within the NFL. It marked the eleventh straight recreation through which Philadelphia has scored at the very least 22 factors with Hurts at QB.
Media pundits in all probability will bash Hurts this week for his uninspiring efficiency, however he does not deserve the criticism. The 26-year-old did precisely what he wanted to do in guiding the Eagles to a playoff win. Hurts threw for 2 touchdowns, gained yards to keep away from sacks, made key positive factors on early downs and did not flip the ball over.
This was Hurts’ first recreation motion since Dec. 22, when he suffered a concussion in opposition to the Washington Commanders. He had 20 days of rust to knock off, so he performed conservatively and centered on defending the soccer. Hurts has finished a superb job of that because the first few weeks of the season, as he is thrown just one interception in his previous 13 video games.
That is going to be the important thing to Philadelphia’s playoff run. This staff is constructed on protection and the working recreation, each of which confirmed up in opposition to the Packers. Philadelphia compelled 4 turnovers and surrendered solely 10 factors, marking the twelfth time prior to now 14 video games it has allowed 20 or fewer factors. As for the working recreation, Saquon Barkley and Hurts mixed for 155 yards.
