Eagles Persevere with Ground Game Against Panthers
In a tightly contested battle, the Philadelphia Eagles edged out the Carolina Panthers with a 22-16 victory, marking their ninth consecutive win. It was a win that underscored the Eagles' reliance on a powerful rushing attack, a theme consistent throughout their current streak.
Ground Dominance Over Aerial Struggles
The Eagles dominated on the ground, racking up an impressive 209 rushing yards. This robust rushing performance was crucial, especially as the passing game faltered. The team's passing attack managed only 83 net yards, raising concerns among players and fans alike.
Quarterback Jalen Hurts, despite the team's overall success, found himself struggling in the passing department. He tallied just 108 passing yards, averaging 5.1 yards per attempt. These numbers positioned him last among quarterbacks with two starts in the past two games, highlighting an area needing improvement. Hurts' struggles were particularly evident when challenging the Panthers' secondary with deeper throws, completing only two out of six attempts on passes traveling more than ten air yards, resulting in a passer rating of 59.0.
Despite his personal trials in the air, Hurts maintained confidence in the team's ability to overcome these issues. “Winning is the main thing,” Hurts asserted, underscoring his focus on the team's ultimate goal.
The Quest for Passing Game Improvement
Wide receiver A.J. Brown was candid in his assessment of the team’s aerial performance. "Passing. What we did today is not good enough. It won't help us," Brown stated. His sentiment was echoed by fellow receiver DeVonta Smith who recognized the need for improvement. "I think we can do a lot better. Pass game we can be a lot better... We didn't play up to our standard," Smith admitted, acknowledging the gap between their potential and recent performances.
The Panthers' defense ranked 24th in pass yardage allowed and 27th in net yards per pass attempt, which highlights the extent of the Eagles' struggles in utilizing their passing game effectively against even a less fortified defense.
Hurts' Mixed Bag of Results
While the passing game showed signs of struggle, Jalen Hurts remained a versatile threat by contributing five total touchdowns over the past two games—three through the air and two on the ground. His overall passer rating stood at a respectable 102.7 across 40 attempts, pointing to his capability in other facets of play.
Remarkably, during the Eagles' nine-game winning streak, Hurts has showcased a passer rating of 113.7, placing him fourth in the NFL. His performance on deep throws during this stretch has been notably sharp, posting a passer rating of 126.0 on throws beyond ten air yards.
A Culture of Accountability
As the Eagles navigate this period of both success and scrutiny, the focus on improvement remains a central theme within the locker room. Offensive tackle Jordan Mailata emphasized the importance of humility and learning from mistakes, stating, "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."
Jalen Hurts summarized the team's mindset, pointing to the broader aim of achieving cohesion and excellence: "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. Have to find a way to come together and synch as a unit and play complementary ball."
As the Eagles continue their season, their ability to harmonize their formidable rushing prowess with a revitalized passing attack will be pivotal. With key players actively voicing the need for improvements and accountability, the team seems poised to address its challenges head-on, pursuing the ultimate goal of sustained success with a determination that has become their hallmark.