Jalen Hurts has reached the point where he can have a poor first half and still drop 300+ yards and three rushing touchdowns while inching his team closer to home-field advantage.
The third-year quarterback threw for 315 yards and rushed for three touchdowns to lead Philadelphia to a 25-20 victory over Chicago at storied Soldier Field.
The Eagles can clinch the NFC East and the NFC No. 1 overall seed with a victory over the Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on Christmas Eve.
Jonathan Gannon’s defense survived Justin Fields, while also harassing the record-setting quarterback to the tune of six sacks on the day and many more pressures.
Fields dazzled all afternoon while amassing 1,000 yards rushing on the season. The former Ohio State star joins Michael Vick and Lamar Jackson with the accomplishment.
With all eyes turning toward the Cowboys, here are ten takeaways from the win.
Hurts tunnel vision
On back-to-back plays late in the third quarter, Hurts ignored DeVonta Smith and then chose not to dump it off to Kenneth Gainwell in targets that went to A.J. Brown.
It cost the Eagles a drive and Philadelphia can ill-afford their quarterback to get tunnel vision.
The quarterback eventually settled in and started spreading the football around.
Fields made history
On a day when Fields was playing the Eagles and their history with running quarterbacks, the Bears star joined the rare company.
The kid can run 💨 pic.twitter.com/vT0vJNqyAr
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) December 18, 2022
On a one-yard carry in the fourth quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles, Fields joined Vick and Jackson in the exclusive 1,000-yard QB club.
Hurts surpasses Randall
Jalen Hurts tied Randall Cunningham for MOST TDs in a season by an Eagles QB (35) pic.twitter.com/r4irdlF0Od
— Jeff Skversky (@JeffSkversky) December 18, 2022
It's hard to win in the NFL
🔥Jalen Hurts is the YOUNGEST QB in NFL History to start 13-1 #Eagles #JalenHurts pic.twitter.com/3G7dnBis8i
— Jeff Skversky (@JeffSkversky) December 18, 2022
DeVonta Smith tough when it matters most
A.J. Brown is the big name, but Smith is the heart of the wide receiver position. At one point through the fourth quarter, the former Heisman Trophy winner had five catches for 126 yards and every catch was challenging and a must-have play.
Smith and Brown will both have 1,000-yard seasons and the quiet but dominant wideout is a major reason why.
Haason Reddick is a WEAPON
notched two sacks and a pressure rate of 33.3% overall per PFF, meaning he applied pressure on seven of Justin Fields’ 21 attempts.
Haason Reddick is unbelievable. 😤#FlyEaglesFly
— JAKIB Sports (@JAKIBSports) December 18, 2022
K'Von Wallace arrival
Snaps are important for any young player and former Clemson star K’Von Wallace logged some valuable reps in relief of Reed Blankenship.
Wallace plays out of control at times, but he has a high motor and his effort can never be questioned.
On Sunday, Wallace logged 9 tackles and one tackle for loss.
Josh Sweat contract team friendly
Sweat is paid like a top-20 defensive end, but this season he’s been on another level.
On Sunday, Sweat logged six tackles, two sacks, three tackles for loss, and two quarterback hits in the win.
Nick Sirianni-Hurts in rare air
Sirianni is the third coach since the 1970 merger to start 13-1 or better in their first or second career year as a head coach, joining Jim Caldwell (2009 Colts) and George Seifert (1990 49ers).
Jalen Hurts (24 years, 133 days) is the youngest QB in NFL history to lead a team to a 13-1 start.
Random notes
Philadelphia has recorded 6+ sacks in 3 straight games for the first time in franchise history.
Javon Hargrave (2.0), Haason Reddick (2.0), and Josh Sweat (2.0) became the first Eagles trio to register 2.0+ sacks each in the same game since Broderick Bunkley (2.0), Trent Cole (3.5), and Juqua Parker (2.0) did so during the 2007 season vs. Detroit.
Hargrave increased his single-season career-high sack total to 10.0 and has produced the most sacks by an Eagles defensive tackle since Fletcher Cox in 2018 (10.5).
Haason Reddick posted his 2nd game with 2.0 sacks (including a strip sack) and has contributed to sacks in 6 consecutive games (0.5+ sacks). That marks the longest streak by an Eagle since Trent Cole in 2009 (also 6).
Josh Sweat, who set a new single-season career high in sacks with 9.5, has a sack streak of 4 games, which is the longest by an Eagle since Fletcher Cox during the 2020 season.
Avonte Maddox forced a fumble against Bears wide receiver Velus Jones that was recovered by Haason Reddick during the third quarter.
Maddox finished the day with 6 tackles and a career-high 2 forced fumbles, marking the 7th forced fumble of his career and the 3rd on the year.
