Eagles-Colts analysis: Jalen Hurts delivers a comeback win — @дневники: асоциальная сеть

понедельник, 21 ноября 2022

Alannah Saville

16:42 Eagles-Colts analysis: Jalen Hurts delivers a comeback win

Hurts ran for the game-winning touchdown as the Eagles avoided the upset to the Colts thanks to their quarterback overcoming the team's slow start.

INDIANAPOLIS — Jalen Hurts waltzed into the end zone unscathed. The third-year quarterback threw his arms up into the air, pumped at his chest three times, and screamed toward the visitors’ sideline after recording his go-ahead 7-yard rushing touchdown with 1 minutes, 20 seconds left.

When the Eagles needed him most, Hurts bailed them out and got his team back on the winning track. His go-ahead score gave the Eagles a 17-16 road victory over the Colts on Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Their latest victory created additional questions about various holes, but Hurts proved to be a dynamic and willing leader who escaped Indianapolis victorious. With seven regular-season games remaining, the Eagles possess the NFL’s best record (9-1), along with the NFC’s top seed, and first place in the NFC East.

Hurts’ report card

The offense wasn’t at its best, but Hurts delivered in crunch time.

He connected on necessary throws with accuracy and precision in the second half. Hurts completed 18 of 25 passes for 190 yards and one touchdown. After showing mechanical improvements from the pocket over the last two-plus months, Hurts also proved to be dynamic with his legs. He rushed 16 times for 86 yards, including his winning touchdown.

“There was never a doubt,” Hurts said. “There’s a lot of things we can learn from. Perfection is something that will never be caught, but why not chase the golden standard? It’s something we chase every day. ... [On the final drive,] we executed. Execution. That’s what clicked. We had positive plays, there weren’t any turnovers — that’s our formula as an offense.”

Sunday marked the team’s first game without tight end Dallas Goedert, who was placed on injured reserve with a shoulder injury. Goedert’s presence was missed not only in the passing game, but also in the running game with his ability as a blocker. The Eagles will need to make more adjustments with Goedert slated to miss at least the next three games. Reserve tight ends Grant Calcaterra and Tyree Jackson both committed penalties during the first half.

Wide receiver DeVonta Smith paced the offense with six catches for 78 yards. A.J. Brown added five catches for 60 yards, while Quez Watkins caught both of his targets for 31 yards, including a 22-yard touchdown that sparked the fourth-quarter comeback.

Suh and Joseph debut
Just days after signing with the Eagles, defensive tackles Linval Joseph and Ndamukong Suh both appeared in their first game with their new team. Both players played during the opening drive, with Joseph earning a start in the team’s five-man defensive front. He acted as the nose tackle between Fletcher Cox and Javon Hargrave.

As expected, neither Joseph nor Suh received an abundance of snaps. Each player provided needed depth behind the starters, and Joseph and Suh combined for a sack against Colts quarterback Matt Ryan. Suh recorded three tackles while Joseph had four.

“It takes a couple games to get into 100 percent football shape,” Joseph said. “We have to keep going. It’s amazing that the two guys they added to the team got a sack; we’re just trying to give them a boost. That’s what we’re here for, to help the young guys and win games.”

The defense still had issues stopping the run early, but Jonathan Gannon’s unit made the necessary adjustments. Colts running back Jonathan Taylor recorded 49 of his 84 rushing yards during his team’s opening drive.

“They had a good first drive, a good plan,” linebacker T.J. Edwards said. “But we made our tweaks and got back to what we do, tackling well, making plays, and flying around. It’s all about the mindset: having faith in what we’re doing and playing with violence and attitude.”