Eagles Frustration Boils Over After Ugly Loss to Giants, Raises More Questions About Jalen Hurts
The Philadelphia Eagles blew a golden opportunity to gain some ground in the NFC playoff picture. Against the New York Giants, Jalen Hurts and the Eagles fell flat in a perfect opportunity.
Rookie wide receiver DeVonta Smith had a quiet day, catching just two balls for 22 yards. Hurts threw for only 129 yards with three interceptions in an ugly performance all around.
Well, the Eagles rookie receiver was visibly frustrated during the game, especially after being targeted just four times and troubling continues to brew in Philadelphia.
Jalen Hurts drops a dud against the Giants un an ugly loss
Hurts is hot and cold, and even then, that’s an interesting way to put it. At times, he looks like the future quarterback for the Eagles. At other times, he seems like his days as a starting quarterback are extremely numbered.
Well, Sunday’s loss to the Giants was another ugly performance by Hurts. He couldn’t get anything going, and the entire offense hit a massive wall in a 13-7 showing against the Giants.
It was ugly, plain and simple. Hurts didn’t perform through the air or on the ground. Hurts threw for just 129 yards passing and three interceptions. He did lead the team with eight carries for 77 yards, but the Eagles fell flat and lost a game they should have won easily.
Yes, there were some drops, but three interceptions and only seven points against one of the worst teams in the NFL is a concern.
DeVonta Smith showed his frustration in the Eagles brutal loss to the NFC East foe
Why draft a wide receiver in the first round if he isn’t going to be a focal point of this offense?
Well, Smith was non-existent once again for the Eagles. After exploding for five catches, 116 yards and a score against the Los Angeles Chargers to start the month of November, Smith has disappeared.
Since then, he has failed to go over the 100-yard mark, although the two trips to the endzone against the Denver Broncos two weeks ago make things a bit better.
Nonetheless, Smith was frustrated after the game, especially after Jalen Reagor dropped an easy catch to seal the victory for the Giants.
Yikes. No wonder Smith was frustrated.
Both balls were catchable throws, yet Reagor whiffed on both and left the Eagles scoreless on a potential game-winning drive.
Reagor should’ve caught at least one of those. On the other hand, why Hurts continues to look past Smith is another issue in itself.
Is Jalen Hurts the answer at quarterback for the Eagles long-term?
This is the million-dollar question. A week ago against the New Orleans Saints, Hurts scored three touchdowns — all on the ground.
But, against a worse offense? No scores. The only Eagles touchdown was courtesy of a Boston Scott run. Drops are one reason, but Hurts didn’t play well at all and continues to raise eyebrows on whether he is this team’s future.
The talent is there, but if he continues to post numbers like these, then the Eagles will have to look long and hard at the position in the offseason. Deshaun Watson could be available, Russell Wilson could also be available, and the Eagles could take another young quarterback in the NFL Draft.
If Hurts wants any shot at keeping this job past this season, he has to find a way to protect the football.
Stats Courtesy of Pro Football Reference
