PHILADELPHIA — Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley fought through injuries that were described more as minor hindrances than serious issues for the Eagles. The resilience of players recovering from injuries is a key part of a successful season.
Just as injuries mend, so too can hurt feelings and tensions that arise from rumors and speculation, often coming not from external sources like fans or social media, but from within the Philadelphia locker room itself. In a decisive 27-13 victory against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Hurts delivered effective throws to wide receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith for touchdowns, dispelling any concerns about discord within the team’s offensive unit.
With their latest win, the Eagles (12-2) have secured their 10th consecutive victory, setting a new franchise record. A win next week against Washington would clinch the NFC East title for them, and they have also equaled Detroit’s record for the best standing in the conference. As the season nears its conclusion, with three games remaining, the opportunity to secure the top seed and a first-round bye looms large—provided they maintain their health.
Hurts revealed that he played with a broken finger on his non-throwing hand, while Barkley, the leading rusher in the NFL, dealt with a minor issue that briefly sent him to the medical tent during the game. When the Eagles find their rhythm, it appears injuries may be the only limiting factor to their performance.
“I felt incredibly focused and engaged throughout the week, especially during a time when there could have been questions raised about what’s happening in Philadelphia,” remarked coach Nick Sirianni. There were murmurings about the passing game after a disappointing outing against Carolina, which led to defensive end Brandon Graham hinting at issues between Hurts and Brown during a radio interview.
However, following their strong performance against Pittsburgh, the atmosphere in the locker room was one of camaraderie and unity. “We discussed our issues privately, and called one another out,” said Brown. “It’s not comfortable, but it’s essential for us to align and strive for victory.”
Their passing attack thrived, with Brown catching 8 passes for 110 yards and Smith receiving 11 for 109 yards—a stark contrast to the previous week when they netted a mere eight catches for 80 yards combined. Hurts recorded 290 yards through the air and two touchdown passes.
“I initiated the conversation, emphasizing we must work together,” shared Hurts. “I reminded them not to lose sight of what’s most important.” His efforts led to a strong team spirit, highlighting the many dimensions success can take.
On a different note, the Eagles would benefit from some assistance from the NFC North contenders; specifically, both Detroit and Minnesota need to drop another game while Philadelphia needs to win out to secure the top playoff position.
Looking ahead, Sirianni has demonstrated acumen in his strategies, notably integrating early passes to Brown and Smith to alleviate any doubt over their performance both inside and outside the locker room. “The passing yardage was up, thus the narrative of the passing game being ‘back’ could gain traction,” he stated. “However, I think that perspective is a bit overblown given our previous efficiency.”
In terms of fan engagement, Eagles supporters who enjoy voicing complaints found little to criticize this week. As with debates over local favorites like Wawa versus Sheetz or cheesesteaks over Primanti’s, they had the chance to celebrate over their triumph against Pittsburgh.
Barkley didn’t express major concern regarding his injury during the match. He sustained a hit on his right knee from Pittsburgh’s Minkah Fitzpatrick and subsequently fell onto his right shoulder. Following that hit, he managed just two carries for 3 yards until after halftime. However, Barkley cleared up the matter, stating that his knee felt fine and the hit wasn’t a significant concern. “Nothing serious—just a minor issue. Ready to get back out there next week,” he assured.
A noteworthy statistic is that the Eagles stand at 12-2 or better through 14 games for only the fourth time in the franchise’s history—previously achieved in 2022 (13-1), 2017 (12-2), and 2004 (13-1). Sirianni has become the second coach in Eagles’ history to record multiple seasons with at least 12 wins, joining Andy Reid, and is the first to do so within his first four seasons.
As the Eagles prepare for their next challenge, they are set to visit the Commanders (9-5) with aspirations of wrapping up the division title.