Eagles Extend Winning Streak with Gritty Victory Over Panthers
The Philadelphia Eagles solidified their reputation as a force to be reckoned with, defeating the Carolina Panthers 22-16 and extending their winning streak to a remarkable nine games. It was a match defined by its intensity and a relentless Eagles ground game, which amassed an impressive 209 rushing yards, overshadowing their modest 83 net passing yards.
The victory might have added another win to the record books for Philadelphia, but it also served as a reminder of areas needing improvement, particularly in their aerial attack. Quarterback Jalen Hurts, while successfully orchestrating yet another victory, recorded 108 passing yards, with a 5.1-yard average per attempt. This game marked another performance where his passing yards lingered below expectations.
Despite the win, the Eagles' passing game left much to be desired, considering Carolina's defense ranked 24th in pass yardage allowed and 27th in net yards per pass attempt. A.J. Brown candidly expressed his dissatisfaction, stating, "Passing. What we did today is not good enough. It won't help us."
Hurts' performance in this game was not an isolated issue. Over the past two games, he ranks last in passing yards among quarterbacks with two starts, painting a picture of Philadelphia's struggle through the air. Yet, even amidst these challenges, Hurts has accounted for five total touchdowns across these appearances, a testament to his playmaking ability. His dual-threat capability is underscored by his contribution of three passing and two rushing touchdowns.
In an attempt to connect on deeper plays, Hurts managed to complete only two out of six attempts on passes that traveled more than 10 air yards, resulting in a passer rating of 59.0 for such throws. Despite these challenges, his overall passer rating holds at a respectable 102.7 over the course of 40 attempts. "I think we can do a lot better. Pass game we can be a lot better... We didn't play up to our standard," reflected DeVonta Smith, echoing the desire for a more robust passing game.
Achieving Wins While Aiming for More
Despite the critique of their play, the resilience of this Eagles team shines through their impressive winning streak. Hurts has been integral to this stretch, contributing an exceptional 23 total touchdowns and committing only two giveaways. His passer rating of 113.7 ranks him fourth in the NFL during this streak, affirming his overall efficiency and effectiveness.
When reflecting on the team's performance, Hurts emphasized the importance of maintaining perspective. "Winning is the main thing," he remarked. Yet, he didn’t shy away from acknowledging the broader aspirations of the team. "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."
Looking Inward to Progress
The Eagles display a collective understanding of the work that lies ahead. Offensive tackle Jordan Mailata offered insight on the team's mindset, focusing on personal accountability. "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," Mailata explained.
As Philadelphia basks in the glow of their sustained success, the team remains competitively restless, motivated by a standard they believe is attainable. Their ability to synchronize as a unit and improve upon this recent performance will determine if this streak transforms into a historic season run.