Jalen Hurts: Eagles 'aren't committed enough'
It’s probably the most obvious question in the NFL. What’s going on with the Eagles? Why is Philadelphia so intent on staying grounded?
After a miserable evening at Lumen Field Monday Night, Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts appeared withdrawn as he answered questions in regard to what he thought happened in a 20-17 loss to the Seahawks. It was the third defeat in a row for Philadelphia, but the first of the trio that was a close one. Only a month ago, the Eagles seemed destined to be the No. 1 seed in the post season. Now, following losses to the 49ers, Cowboys and Seahawks, it’s a battle with Dallas to see which team wins the NFC East.
Hurts’ final pass of Monday Night was an interception. He was trying to answer the Seahawks’ score with only a smattering of seconds to go. The Eagles defense buckled on a 92-yard TD drive. And the Philadelphia offense didn’t have a response.
“I’ve been talking about execution all year,” Hurts said, as he answered questions in a monotone. “Being on the same page, everyone being on the same page. We didn’t execute. I don’t think we’re, we’re all, we’re committed enough. Just got to turn it around. You know, it’s a challenge that we have to embrace. Just continue to see it through.”
He added: “It’s a matter of being on the same page. It takes everyone being all in, in all aspects. And it starts with me.”
Brian Baldinger, a retired offensive lineman and an anaylst for NFL Network, broke down game video Tuesday morning that showed some egregious plays attempted by the Eagles offense. He agreed with Hurt’s assessment that it all starts with the quarterback.
“This is not the way you play offense,” Baldinger said.
Eagles own tiebreaker over Cowboys for NFC East
So what do the Eagles do now? Even with the loss, they’re already in the playoffs. But they did squander a valuable opportunity to pick up a game on the Cowboys. After all, Dallas looked listless in Buffalo with their loss to the Bills.
The Eagles can win out and take the NFC East, even if the Cowboys are victorious in their final three.. That’ll get the Eagles at least one home game. Given how both the Cowboys and Eagles looked this past weekend, the 49ers probably are a lock for the top seed.
Philadelphia closes with an easier slate of games — the Giants, Cardinals and Giants. Then again, if the offense can’t break 20 points in a game, those contests might not be so easy. But if the Eagles can flip a switch, i.e. become more committed, their same goals are doable.