The Philadelphia Eagles are 1-0 after defeating the Atlanta Falcons in Week 1 by a score of 32-6.
This game was as one-sided as the score indicates, and second-year quarterback Jalen Hurts outperformed veteran Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan without question.
The Eagles organization and fiery fan base have to be excited about what Hurts showed on Sunday since he is just one year removed from being Carson Wentz‘s backup on opening day of 2020.
Jalen Hurts balled OUT in his first start of the season 😤 pic.twitter.com/jOVCWxSEaV
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) September 12, 2021
Here is why fans should be thrilled with Hurts in Week 1.
The highest-graded QBs in Week 1 so far 👀
🎯 Tom Brady
🎯 Jalen Hurts
🎯 Jameis Winston pic.twitter.com/2Ie9zEHq7q— PFF (@PFF) September 13, 2021
Made Smart Throws
Hurts made 35 pass attempts.
He completed 27 of them.
Hurts threw for 264 yards.
He also had three touchdown passes in the game, each to a different receiver.
DeVonta Smith, Jalen Reagor, and Dallas Goedert scored those three touchdowns.
Ran The Ball Effectively
Everyone knows that Hurts has wheels.
That is part of what makes him so dangerous.
He ran the ball as needed but also dished it off to Miles Sanders and Kenneth Gainwell.
Sanders was the leading rusher for 74 yards while Gainwell scored a rushing touchdown.
Hurts ran the ball seven times for 62 yards averaging nearly nine yards per rush.
Did Not Turn Over The Ball
We were reminded again several times in other Week 1 games how costly turnovers are.
Hurts played a clean game without any fumbles or interceptions.
Perhaps more of a credit to his offensive line, Hurts had time to set up the play and was only sacked one time for a loss of three yards.
.@Realrclark25 with some high praise for Jalen Hurts 👀
"This is the most competent quarterback play the Philadelphia Eagles have had in 2 years, maybe 3. When you look at the total control that Jalen Hurts had over this offense, that's the reason he's there." pic.twitter.com/QLRROUsOoX
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) September 14, 2021
Head-To-Head With Matt Ryan
Matty Ice looked cold on Sunday.
Whether it was the Eagles pressure or just a disconnected offensive strategy, Ryan completed 21 passes for only 164 yards.
Ryan was also sacked three times for a total of 28 yards lost.
Hurts and Coach Sirianni Reflect On His Week 1 Performance
Hurts executed a well-devised game plan.
Following the game, he said:
“It’s me going out there and doing what I’m coached to do. We prepare, we hit it every day. I always talk about executing. I want to execute at a high level running the ball, throwing the ball, alignment things, situation things, I just want to execute at a high level.”
Eagles new head coach Nick Sirianni was understandably very happy with Hurts’ performance.
Commenting on what Hurts did well, Sirianni said:
“Taking what the defense gave him. Methodically going down the field, making big throws when he needed to make big throws, creating, checking it down when he needed to check it down, making a run when he needed to make a run. Just playing good quarterback…Jalen was in complete control there. He was in complete control the whole game. He played a heck of a football game and (I’m) just really happy with the way he played.”
Conclusion
Admittedly, the Falcons are a struggling franchise.
The Eagles had a great performance, but a truer test of how good this team is comes in Week 2.
The San Francisco 49ers are coming to town.
If Hurts shows the same poise and skill against the 49ers, there will be even more excitement in Philly.
NEXT: Gardner Minshew Officially In Role As Career Backup