PHILADELPHIA: Jalen Hurts did it once more.
It? The pronoun might stand for about something with regards to Hurts and what he does for the Eagles.
Trail 17-7 on the half in consecutive weeks and rally the Eagles to wins?
Yup, he did it once more.
How about trailing at halftime in 4 straight video games total and guiding the Eagles to wins?
He did it once more, too.
Go 10-1 a yr after the Eagles additionally began 10-1 on their method to a Super Bowl look?
Yes, he did it with the identical aptitude as he continues to construct a robust case for AP NFL MVP.
How about this one: Beat San Francisco at dwelling in consecutive seasons?
The reply to that query is formally TBD, however can be settled quickly sufficient. Ten months after Hurts and the Eagles thumped the 49ers 31-7 within the NFC championship recreation on the Linc, the rematch is about for Sunday between two of the highest groups within the NFL.
The Eagles have the very best file within the NFL — strengthened after a 37-34 additional time win towards Buffalo — and San Francisco is 8-3.
Take a take a look at the numbers, and all the things appears to favor the Eagles. The Eagles are 27-2 (.931) of their previous 29 common-season video games began by Hurts, he has led the Eagles to 14 straight wins towards groups with profitable information and the Eagles are undefeated at dwelling (5-0) this season.
Not dangerous.
Not ok, although, for the oddsmakers. The 49ers are early 2½-level favorites, per FanDuel Sportsbook.
Perhaps it’s time for Jason Kelce to interrupt out the canine masks — as in, underdogs — he wore on the best way towards Philadelphia’s Super Bowl 52 title.
No matter, the Eagles know they all the time have an opportunity so long as they’ve Hurts. The Eagles trailed Buffalo 17-7 on the half, 24-14 by three, 31-28 with 1:52 left within the fourth and 34-31 in OT.
Hurts mixed for a profession-excessive 5 complete TDs (three passing, two speeding) and have become the primary QB in NFL historical past with 10-plus speeding TDs in three consecutive seasons (10 TDs in 2021 and 13 TDs in 2022).
“We always find a way, and that’s something that you can’t really take for granted,” Hurts stated. “It’s hard to quantify. Obviously, I have had a ton to clean up and I have not executed to the level of my standard.”
Yikes. What’s on faucet for the remainder of the league as soon as Hurts reaches the demanding — possible unreachable — normal he set for himself?
“Winning is the only thing that matters, but the standard is pretty darn important, too,” he stated. “And so that’s what it is.”
Hurts was referencing the very fact he did not play a whole recreation. Last season’s NFL MVP runner-up, Hurts was solely 4 of 11 for 33 yards and one speeding TD within the first half. In the second, 14 of 20 for 167 yards, three passing TDs, and the profitable 12-yard rating in OT.
“Just clutch in clutch moments,” coach Nick Sirianni stated.
WHAT’S WORKING
The offense. Hurts accounted for 5 TDs, DeVonta Smith had seven catches for 106 yards and D’Andre Swift ran for 80 yards to maintain the Eagles within the recreation, even at occasions when it appeared misplaced. Hurts’ 29-yard, go-forward TD to huge receiver Olamide Zaccheaus behind the top zone within the fourth quarter will go on the brief checklist of one among his high performs on the profession spotlight reel.
WHAT NEEDS HELP
The protection. The Bills had 505 yards, transformed 13 third downs and Josh Allen toyed with the Eagles. Allen threw for 339 yards and two TDs and he rushed for 81 yards and two scores. The Bills even ran for 173 yards.
The Eagles allowed greater than 500 yards at dwelling for the primary time since 2015. Could simply be an off recreation. It occurs. But certainly the 49ers are on the lookout for methods to publish these sorts of numbers towards the Eagles.
STOCK UP
Jake Elliott. He kicked a 59-yard discipline aim with 20 seconds left in regulation that tied the sport 31-all. The distance was lengthy, wind and rain performed havoc with discipline situations, but he hit his twenty sixth profession 50-plus-yard discipline aim. He set a profession excessive with six of them this season.
Elliott has transformed 8 of 9 discipline targets in the course of the fourth quarter/additional time this season, together with his 54-yard winner towards Washington in October.
STOCK DOWN
A.J Brown is in a stoop. One of the NFL’s high huge receivers, Brown had solely 5 catches for 37 yards (and a TD) a recreation after he had only one catch for 8 yards towards Kansas City.
INJURIES
RT Lane Johnson was a shock scratch with a groin damage and defensive finish Fletcher Cox additionally suffered a groin damage in the course of the recreation. There was no quick phrase on their availability for Sunday.
KEY NUMBER
2. The Eagles have two additional time wins in a season for the primary time since 2000.
NEXT STEPS
Host the 49ers in a rematch of final season’s NFC title recreation on Sunday.
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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
(This story has not been edited by News18 employees and is revealed from a syndicated information company feed – Associated Press)
