The Philadelphia Eagles extended their impressive winning streak to nine games with a gritty 22-16 victory over the Carolina Panthers. The Eagles showcased a dominant rushing attack, piling up 209 rushing yards, which contrasted sharply with their struggling passing game, totaling a mere 83 net passing yards.
Ground Dominance Amid Passing Struggles
While the ground game thrived, the passing game fell short of expectations. Quarterback Jalen Hurts threw for 108 yards, averaging 5.1 yards per attempt—numbers that his top targets, A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, believe must improve for the team to meet its potential. "Passing. What we did today is not good enough. It won't help us," acknowledged Brown, while Smith candidly stated, "I think we can do a lot better. Pass game we can be a lot better... We didn't play up to our standard."
Carolina's defense, ranked 24th in pass yardage allowed and 27th in net yards per pass attempt, provided a prime opportunity for the Eagles to exploit through the air, but the team struggled to take full advantage. On passes covering more than 10 air yards, Hurts completed just two of six attempts, resulting in a passer rating of 59.0 for those plays. Despite these statistics reflecting recent challenges, Hurts dished out five total touchdowns over the past two games with three passing and two rushing scores.
Hurts' Stat Line and Reflections
Over the course of the Eagles' winning streak, Hurts' performance has remained a subject of discussion. Among quarterbacks with at least two starts in the last two games, Hurts ranks at the bottom in passing yards. Nonetheless, his overall passer rating stands at a very respectable 102.7. With a passer rating of 113.7 throughout the nine-game surge, Hurts finds himself ranked fourth in the NFL—a testament to his ability to lead effectively, even as he and his teammates work on refining their passing game.
Reflecting on the ongoing journey, Hurts emphasized the importance of unity and consistent improvement. "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," Hurts noted.
A Foundation of Accountability
Team unity and accountability seem to be recurring themes within the Eagles' locker room—not just a mantra, but a practice emphasized by all players. Offensive lineman Jordan Mailata highlighted this focus: "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." This approach appears to be critical in maintaining their winning momentum as they address their weaknesses.
Despite the criticisms and the call for improvement, Hurts and the entire Eagles organization appear focused on what matters most: continuing to secure victories. As Hurts succinctly put it, "Winning is the main thing."
With their sights set on extending their streak beyond nine games, the Philadelphia Eagles remain a formidable team. Their resilience and determination suggest that they are not simply chasing wins but are dedicated to achieving excellence on their own terms. As the season progresses, ironing out their passing game deficiencies while maintaining their tenacious ground attack will be key to further solidifying their place as one of the top teams in the league.