Due to Saquon Barkley’s super human abilities, Jalen Hurts’ excellent play has flown under the radar. Hurts is answering all the questions there had previously been about him. In particular, Hurts has done a fantastic job at protecting the football. Last season, Hurts struggled mightily with ball security, throwing 15 interceptions, and losing four fumbles. However, Hurts has flipped the script in 2024.
Jalen Hurts is Protecting the Football
Serial Winner
With the Eagles stacked roster, Hurts does not have to be superman to win games. He has an elite offensive line, an upper echelon receiver, and the best running back in football at his disposal. Hurts needs to be a point guard, and get all of his teammates involved.
Since the bye week, he has done just that. AJ Brown has been an elite deep threat, Devonta Smith has been an elite route runner when he is on the field, and Saquon Barkley does special things on a weekly basis. Jalen Hurts allows all of his playmakers to thrive by making smart decisions, and putting them in position to succeed. Hurts is able to do this at a such a high level because he is a serial winner.
Hurts has won all of his life. In college, his teams went an astounding 51-5 in games he played. In the NFL, Hurts is 46-26-1, which is outstanding. Hurts knows what it takes to win, and adapts his game to do so. He realizes that he does not need to be the whole offense for the Eagles to win. Last season, Hurts thought he needed to put on the superman cape to win games, which led to turnovers. However, he is comfortable in his role this year, and is doing what it takes to win.
Mistake Free Football
Hurts knows that his biggest job is to protect the football. Since the bye week, Hurts has nine passing touchdowns with only one interception. He has also added nine rushing touchdowns. While many of those have come on the infamous tush push, Hurts has been noticeably more mobile this season.
At the end of last year, Hurts was banged up, which hindered his rushing ability. While Hurts is a very good passer, and has improved so much since entering the league, he is still at his best when he is a true dual threat. This season, Hurts has been able to do that, and it has elevated his game.
For the Eagles to win a Super Bowl, Hurts will have to be an elite game manager. He will have to do all the things game managers do, such as protect the football, and run the offense to a high level, while also making a few explosive plays a game that most game managers can’t pull off.
Hurts is capable of doing that, and then some as the 2022 season showed. However, he will need to continue his commitment to turnover free football. If teams don’t get short fields, and points off of turnovers, they will struggle to keep up with the sheer talent of the Eagles. Hurts needs to be the conductor of the orchestra, not a rockstar doing a guitar solo.
Main Photo Courtesy of Gary A. Vasquez – Imagn Images
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