EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Minshew Mania has officially arrived.
After quarterback Jalen Hurts was ruled out of Sunday’s game versus the New York Jets with a left ankle injury, Gardner Minshew was inserted as the starter.
The Fu Manchu mustache-equipped quarterback tore up the Jets, leading the Eagles to an emphatic 33-18 victory that improved their record to 6-7.
QB breakdown
With Minshew under center, the offense was more consistent than usual.
Minshew completed 20-of-25 passes for 242 yards and two touchdowns. His 80% completion rate is higher than Hurts has had in any game this season.
The most telling stat that showed the Eagles were on a roll with Minshew: They scored on seven of eight drives.
First-year coach Nick Sirianni has insisted Hurts has done enough to retain his job as the starter when he returns from his ankle injury. But Minshew surely presents an interesting debate heading into the bye week.
Originally selected in the sixth round of the 2019 draft, Minshew posted a record of 7-13 as a starter for the Jacksonville Jaguars. In 25 career games, including 21 starts, Minshew has thrown for 5,783 yards with 39 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.
Hurts, a team captain, has developed a reputation for his dynamic running ability. However, he has struggled at times as a pure passer. In last week’s 13-7 loss to the Giants, also in MetLife Stadium, Hurts threw a career-worst three interceptions. Throughout the week, he expressed a desire to start against the Jets, but Hurts still didn’t feel 100% before kickoff.
If the Eagles do roll with Minshew, they might display a more efficient passing offense and also have a shot at winning some late-season games, but the 25-year-old isn’t the long-term solution for the franchise.
The jury is still out whether Hurts, 23, is the answer, but at this point, a majority of the offense is tailored around his strengths as a dual-threat quarterback.
Goedert, Sanders set tone
Tight end Dallas Goedert is proving to be worth the large sum of money the Eagles committed to him last month. Goedert signed a four-year extension worth up to $59 million with $35.7 million guaranteed, tying him to the Eagles through 2025.
The Eagles prioritized Goedert in the passing game, effectively using him on screens, play action, and in the intermediate passing game. Goedert set a career high with 105 receiving yards on six catches, including two touchdowns.
Defense recovers from slow start passing game thanks to a strong rushing attack, which allowed them to incorporate play action. The Jets played a guessing game all day as tailback Miles Sanders finished with a career-high 24 rushes for 120 yards.
Defense recovers from slow start
Jets rookie Zach Wilson entered Sunday as the league’s worst statistical quarterback with four touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
The Eagles have enjoyed success against inexperienced quarterbacks, so it was a surprise to see them struggle early against Wilson, who led the Jets to three straight touchdowns on their first three drives. Defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon made the adjustments, though, and that was all the scoring the home team would manage.
Marcus Epps picked off a pass from Wilson in the fourth quarter as the defense shut out the Jets in the second half.
Injury report
The bye week comes at an opportune time for the Eagles, who are banged up at multiple spots.
Sanders suffered a lower-body injury in the fourth quarter. After an explosive 34-yard rush, Sanders went down awkwardly in front of the visitors’ sideline. He immediately clutched his right ankle and was replaced by rookie Kenneth Gainwell.
Center Jason Kelce later left the game and limped off to the locker room.
Cornerback Steven Nelson sustained a shoulder injury in the first half and did not return. Beforehis injury, Nelson had allowed a touchdown to Jets receiver Elijah Moore. Nelson was replaced by rookie Zech McPhearson, who played on the opposite side of Darius Slay, while Avonte Maddox remained in the slot.
Defensive tackle Fletcher Cox sustained a lower-body injury in the first quarter. He missed a couple of snaps before re-entering the game. Earlier in the week, Cox popped up on the injury report with a back issue. Fellow defensive tackle Milton Williams also was injured in the second half.
Linebacker Patrick Johnson suffered a back injury while playing on special teams. He walked to the locker room and did not return.
.jpg?w=600)
