Tim McManus, ESPN Workers Author
CINCINNATI — Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts lastly bought the higher of Joe Burrow, posting 4 touchdowns (three speeding, one passing) in a 37-17 street win over the Bengals on Sunday.
Requested if he drew any satisfaction from outdueling Burrow, who is taken into account among the finest quarterbacks in soccer, Hurts responded: “That is the league. I’ve requirements for myself as effectively.”
Hurts has performed the position of runner-up to Burrow on earlier events. Burrow gained the Heisman Trophy in 2019 whereas Hurts got here in second. The one time they performed one another throughout their school careers, Burrow’s LSU Tigers stomped Hurts’ Oklahoma Sooners 63-28 within the 2019 Faculty Soccer Playoff semifinals.
Their first assembly within the execs on Sunday went in favor of Hurts, who went 16-of-20 for 236 yards (132.5 QB ranking) and added 10 rushes for 37 yards on the bottom. Burrow completed 26-of-37 for 237 yards (84.7 ranking) with a landing and an interception and had three rushes for 15 yards.
Hurts has performed extra environment friendly soccer for the reason that Eagles’ Week 5 bye. He had seven turnovers in Philadelphia’s first 4 video games — the second most within the league at that time behind solely Will Levis — however has zero giveaways of their previous three video games, all wins.
“Jalen places the work in,” coach Nick Sirianni mentioned. “That is one thing that does not get talked about sufficient for Jalen Hurts: how a lot he loves soccer and the way a lot time he places into this recreation. And that is the way you need considered one of your leaders in your crew to be.”
This was Hurts’ third profession recreation with three speeding touchdowns, which is essentially the most by any quarterback for the reason that begin of 1950, per ESPN Analysis. It was his 14th profession recreation with a number of speeding TDs, extending his report for essentially the most by a quarterback in NFL historical past.
The Eagles have been leaning on Saquon Barkley (22 carries, 108 yards) and the bottom assault extra in current weeks, which has made the job simpler for Hurts and the protection alike.
Hurts referred to as Sunday’s victory a “nice crew win” and believes the offense is trending in a optimistic path.
“I do not suppose we’re there but. We’re slowly discovering it and making an attempt to piece issues collectively,” he mentioned. “In the end it comes right down to cadence and rhythm and the way we play, and ultimately, optimizing all the expertise that we have now.”
