PHILADELPHIA — Jalen Hurts demonstrated his impressive skills on the field during a captivating performance against the Cincinnati Bengals, solidifying the Eagles’ momentum following their bye week.
In an unusual twist, Hurts sported mismatched cleats after one of his green Air Jordan 4 PEs slipped off while he was sprinting along the sideline. Tightly laced, he struggled to get it back on and ultimately opted to use a timeout to acquire a replacement. He switched to a stylish white Jordan 11, a daring choice that could spark new trends among local Philadelphia football enthusiasts.
“I had to go Jalen Two Shoes for a bit,” Hurts jokingly mentioned.
Hurts’ performance was nothing short of remarkable: he rushed for three touchdowns and threw for another, even managing to score with different cleats on one drive during the Eagles’ 37-17 victory over the Bengals.
Despite early-season setbacks against teams like Atlanta and Tampa Bay, the Eagles have now tallied a record of 5-2, with Hurts proving to be the x-factor in their recent three-game winning streak. He has moved past earlier turnover issues and is playing with the kind of enthusiasm that harkens back to his 2022 Super Bowl-leading form. Notably, he became the first Eagles quarterback to complete a 40-plus yard touchdown in three straight games since Carson Wentz achieved it in 2017. Hurts’ 45-yard touchdown pass to DeVonta Smith on Sunday reached a distance of 59.3 yards in the air, marking the longest throw of his career according to advanced statistics.
“Jalen puts the work in. That’s something that doesn’t get talked about enough, how much he loves football, how much time he puts into this game, and that’s what you want from one of your leaders on this team,” head coach Nick Sirianni remarked.
Among several noteworthy moments in the NFL that day was Hurts’ unconventional cleat mix, which quickly became a viral sensation.
Speaking of hot streaks, some are suggesting it might just be the coach’s new buzz cut. The Eagles have won three games since Sirianni took the plunge with his hair, though the coach admits his wife isn’t a fan of the look.
What’s been effective for the Eagles? Their offensive line has performed exceptionally well. Playing without starters Jordan Mailata and Mekhi Becton, substitutes Fred Johnson and Tyler Steen stepped up, allowing no sacks and enabling Hurts to focus without the threat of pressure. The offense boasted a clean game, free from turnovers.
Key contributions came from Saquon Barkley, who rushed for 108 yards, while Smith and A.J. Brown recorded six catches for 85 yards and five catches for 84 yards, respectively. All told, the Eagles amassed an impressive 397 yards of total offense.
“I think when you are able to run the ball effectively, it opens up so much. It wears down the interior defenders, weakens the pass rush, and puts the linebackers in a tough spot,” tackle Lane Johnson explained.
However, one area needing improvement is scoring in the first quarter. In their best game this season, the Eagles still failed to get on the board in the opening period, leaving them 0 for 7 this year. In this instance, it wasn’t entirely the offense’s fault, as the Bengals managed a long opening drive that culminated in a touchdown pass, converting all their third downs along the way.
In a positive light, DeVonta Smith rebounded impressively following a lackluster previous game. After recording just one catch for minus-2 yards the week prior, he quickly became a key target for Hurts again, achieving a 45-yard touchdown that was one of his biggest plays of the season.
Hurts expressed confidence in his teammate, insisting that last week’s struggles weren’t Smith’s fault. “We’ve got a lot of talent, a lot of mouths to feed,” Hurts affirmed, reflecting on the team’s depth.
The Eagles’ formidable offense has showcased 11 plays of 40-plus yards this season, and their chemistry is undeniable as Smith and Hurts continue to connect downfield.
The only hiccup for the Eagles during the game was Hurts’ brief footwear fiasco. Fortunately, the team managed to score a field goal on that drive, allowing Hurts to chuckle about the unexpected interruption.
“I talked to the equipment guys about it afterward. That’s just a small thing, yet it takes time and effort. Our equipment team puts a lot of pride into their work. I was just like: ‘Hey man, next play. It’s all right, let it go.’ But I’ll never be short of shoes, to say the least,” he remarked.
Regarding player health, cornerback Darius Slay faced a groin injury during the latter stages of the game.
One significant statistic to note: the Eagles have an impressive record of 13-1 in their last 14 matchups against AFC opponents. Since 2021, they hold the highest interconference winning percentage in the NFC at .765 (13-4). They have a chance to enhance that record in their upcoming game against Jacksonville.
The Eagles are set to face former head coach Doug Pederson on Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field. The matchup comes amidst swirling rumors about his job security with the struggling Jacksonville Jaguars, currently sitting at 2-6. The game originally scheduled for Sunday night will now take place at 4:05 p.m.