In a clash against the Carolina Panthers, the Philadelphia Eagles soared to another victory, marking their ninth consecutive win with a final score of 22-16. The Eagles demonstrated a ground-heavy approach, rushing for an impressive 209 yards. However, their passing game left much to be desired, as they managed only 83 net passing yards against a Carolina defense that has struggled all season. Carolina ranks 24th in pass yardage allowed and 27th in net yards per pass attempt. Despite this, the Eagles were unable to fully exploit these defensive weaknesses.
Quarterback Jalen Hurts had a modest outing with 108 passing yards, averaging 5.1 yards per attempt. Over the past two games, Hurts ranks last in passing yards among quarterbacks with two starts. His performance on deeper throws also highlighted areas needing improvement, as he completed just two of six attempts for throws traveling more than 10 air yards, resulting in a passer rating of 59.0. Despite these numbers, Hurts remains a crucial offensive asset, contributing five total touchdowns in the last two games—three via air and two on the ground.
For Philadelphia, the victory underscores their ability to grind out wins, albeit amidst challenges in the aerial dimension of their game. The Eagles’ struggles in the passing department were not lost on their key players. Wide receiver A.J. Brown bluntly articulated the team's performance, stating, “Passing. What we did today is not good enough. It won't help us." DeVonta Smith echoed this sentiment, acknowledging that while the win is invaluable, the standards they hold themselves to were not met. “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, highlighting the team’s own awareness of their potential for improvement.
Despite these hurdles, Hurts' overall performance through the Eagles' winning streak cannot be undervalued. With an overall passer rating of 113.7 over the nine-game stretch, Hurts ranks fourth in the NFL, showcasing his ability to balance both rushing and passing duties effectively. His throws traveling beyond ten air yards have resulted in a highly impressive passer rating of 126.0 throughout this period. Furthermore, Hurts boasts 23 total touchdowns against just two giveaways in this streak, emphasizing his efficiency and reliability as a playmaker.
This emerging narrative of resilience was further reinforced by Hurts' perspective following the game. He stressed the importance of collective growth and finding synergy across their units, emphasizing, “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." His focus remains on the bigger picture, steering the team towards sustained success.
Accountability and a willingness to learn have become core tenets within the Eagles' locker room. Offensive lineman Jordan Mailata highlighted this, expressing the critical need for players to internalize feedback and grow from it. “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 commented, underscoring a culture of continuous improvement.
While the Eagles continue their winning form, it's clear that they know adjustments are necessary, especially in aerial offensive execution. As they gear up to face stronger opponents, refining their passing strategy will likely be pivotal in maintaining their lofty ambitions. Fortunately, with a collective mindset focused on adaptability and growth, the Eagles remain poised to confront these challenges head-on, continuing their flight through the upper echelons of the NFL.