Jalen Hurts proves ultimate versatility on Eagles’ first drive vs. Titans

Doug Farrar
·2 min read
3
  • Oops!
    Something went wrong.
    Please try again later.

Last week against the Green Bay Packers, Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts gained 103 yards on the ground with just seven rushing attempts in the first quarter alone. That was the start of a game in which the Eagles decimated the Packers for 363 total rushing yards, the 20th-most in NFL history, on their way to a 40-33 win.

Against the Titans’ defense on the Eagles’ first drive this Sunday, Hurts completed five of six passes for 80 yards, a touchdown, and the highest possible passer rating of 158.3. The drive ended with this masterful 34-yard touchdown pass, in which second-year receiver DeVonta Smith just housed his poor defender on the way to the end zone.

A smart play here, as the Titans came into this game ranked first in the NFL in run defense DVOA. It speaks to how the Eagles are able to respond to any type of defense with Hurts as the epicenter, both as a thrower and as a runner. Smith’s runs aren’t just scrambles after the snap — they have a distinct package of designed runs for him, and this season, he’s run the ball 94 times for 595 yards and eight touchdowns.

But if you’re set up to limit Philly’s run game? Hurts has no issue at this point in his career throwing the ball all over the field.

Which is a big part of what makes this offense to tough to defend. Those who are still wondering whether running quarterbacks can lead top-tier offenses need to spend a bit of time catching up, because this is where the NFL is heading in a big hurry.

Story originally appeared on Touchdown Wire