The Eagles seemed to drift into a game plan each week that focused on simply handing the ball off to Saquon Barkley and watching him light up the stat sheet each week.
It's understandable for the Eagles to keep turning Barkley since the former Giant, former Penn State standout was delivering at a historic rate.
Quarterback Jalen Hurts, who appears to truly care more about winning a game than padding his own stat line, didn't complain about his passing numbers over the three games before the Eagles played Pittsburgh.
Those numbers were quite low for a signal caller who earned second team All Pro honors in 2022 and has earned two Pro Bowl nods after his first three seasons as a full time starter.
Hurts threw for 179 yards against the Rams on November 24. His passing dropped to 118 yards against the Ravens on December 1 and just 108 yards against the Panthers in a game the Birds with lucky to win.
But over those three games Hurts’ QB rating was a combined 104.2…he was playing the position well, not turning the ball over and hanging a ‘W’ every week.
But the concern over the passing game was there. Hurts looked like he wasn’t seeing his receivers and was taking unnecessary sacks.
The sack Hurts took late in the game against Carolina was puzzling - he didn't need to slide - and almost cost them the game.
After the game, All Pro receiver A.J. Brown, who was targeted just four times in the Carolina game, voiced his displeasure after the game.
“Passing” was the one-word answer he gave when he was asked what was wrong with the offense.
It worked. Offensive coordinator Kellen Moore and head coach Nick Sirianni came out with an aggressive game plan against Pittsburgh and its outstanding defense. The Eagles dominated the Steelers 27-13.
Hurts was 25 of 32 for 290 yards, two touchdown passes. He hit Brown (eight receptions, 110 yards) with a five-yard TD in the first quarter and DeVonta Smith (11 catches, 109 yards) with a two-yard touchdown in the second.
Hurts scored on a one-yard “Philly shove” play at the start of the fourth quarter. Hurts did lose a fumble on a Pro Bowl level punch out by T.J. Watts in the first quarter and he was sacked three times.
But Eagles Nation was happy to see the passing game look so good.
OC MOORE TALKED ABOUT THE PROLIFIC PASSING ATTACK AGAINST THE STEELERS
Of course, questions were asked about the vertical upgrade.
Moore was asked that since he’s been around Quarterbacks Coach Doug Nussmeier at a few places, known him for a long time. How has he had a positive effect on Hurts over the past six months?
“I’ve been fortunate to be around Doug going back to Dallas and L.A. and now here,” Moore said at his weekly press gathering at NovaCare. “Worked with him in the quarterback room for a long time.
“I think what makes ‘Nuss’ is his experience. He’s been a longtime coordinator in college football at a lot of big-time schools and had a ton of experience there.
“I think he does an excellent job with the details and fundamentals of the position. Hammering that in each and every day, each and every week.
"Tying the QBs footwork to the pass concepts and making sure we all have the right timing, the anticipation, all that sort of stuff. He does an excellent job preparing those guys.”
Moore was asked about what was clicking for in the passing game Sunday.
“I thought our guys did a really good job, just playing with great fundamentals,” he said. “I thought our receivers did a great job with route discipline, coming of the ball.
"Jalen did an excellent job working through his progressions, getting the ball out of his hands. The protection was excellent.
“I thought our guys did a really good job early in that game finding that rhythm and playing at a high level.”
HURTS SPOKE AS WELL
Hurts was asked about how he almost tripled the combined targets (23) to Brown and Smith this week. They were targeted a combined ten times against Carolina the week before.
“As I’ve said, when you're able to win in multiple ways, obviously talented, and the opportunities are there,” Hurts said. “But it comes down to having good discernment of when to do something and when not to.
“I've always said and believed that you want to make sure that all of your tools are sharp when you need them, so when it's time to use them, you can go. I don't think there's a doubt in that. I think, frankly, there's an effort there.
“The approach was a little different this week. The grass will be green where you water it. We decided to water it and saw the fruits of our labor in that. Obviously we've been watering the running game a good bit.
“It’s natural to put emphasis on one thing and take emphasis off of another and see what you guys have seen. We want to continue to be well-rounded, push to be well-rounded, and water all areas of our yard.”
Hurts was asked about winning this game after facing scrutiny in the passing game this week:
“Scrutiny is never-ending,” he said. “It's nothing new. That’s something that I find a thrill in. I appreciate being told I can't and that we can't.
“I know that I lead this team, and it takes a lot out of it. It demands a lot out of you. And I just want to show up and be the best teammate, quarterback, and be the best I can be for the guys on the team.”
The Eagles are on the road this week in Landover Maryland to face a Commanders team (9-5) that is fighting for a playoff spot.
The Eagles (12-2) are trying the take back the NFC East and keep pace with the Detroit Lions (12-2) and Minnesota Vikings (12-2) for the No. 1 seed in the NFC and the lone bye that comes with it.
Eagles fans hope that Hurts and his teammates still feel scrutinized on Sunday. *
Email Al Thompson at al.thompson@footballstories.com
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