Despite the Eagles’ two-game losing streak, Jalen Hurts remains optimistic.
Jalen Hurts believes the Philadelphia Eagles’ two-game losing streak is not cause for concern.
Following their Week 14 loss to the Dallas Cowboys, the Eagles have now lost their last two games against their fiercest rivals by a total score of 75-32.
Although the Eagles are 10-3 and tied for the NFC East lead with the Cowboys — Dallas currently has the tiebreaker — Hurts feels this is only a short setback.
“This is something we’re going through, not something we’re stuck in,” Hurts said after the game on Sunday, December 10.
The Eagles committed three fumbles in Cowboys territory and turned the ball over three times. Hurts, DeVonta Smith, and A.J. Brown all fumbled on possessions that would have resulted in touchdowns.
“We have to get better, and I have to get better with my ball security as a runner,” Hurts said following the loss.
Why the Eagles Are Struggling This Season
Prior to the Eagles’ two-game losing streak, it was difficult to argue that they were the best team in the NFL. They had the best record in the league at 10-1 and had beaten the Cowboys, Miami Dolphins, Kansas City Chiefs, and Buffalo Bills in five weeks.
However, with the exception of the win over the Dolphins, they did not dominate any of those games – they won all three games by a total of 11 points. They accomplished this despite being outgained in three of the four games.
The Eagles’ flaws have been exposed over the last two weeks, with their lack of pass rush and defense surfacing as key concerns. Dallas dominated the time of possession battle, with the ball in Philadelphia for about 37 minutes. Furthermore, they enabled the Cowboys to convert 9 of 16 third downs while allowing 394 yards total offense.
Philadelphia, which was one of the top defenses with the greatest pass-rushing squad previous season, is now in the bottom half of most major defensive metrics. The Eagles were ranked 24th in points allowed per game (24.0), 22nd in yards and turnovers, 29th in passing yards, and second-to-last in passing touchdowns allowed entering their game against the Cowboys.
They’ve now allowed 36.3 points and 451.6 total yards per game over their last three outings. Over the course of a season, those averages would be the worst in the NFL in both categories.
“Eagles organizational philosophy when building the defense is to over-invest in the pass rush at every turn,” Kapadia writes in the article. “This season, the Eagles have sacked opposing quarterbacks 5.1% of the time on third down.” That’s the lowest in the NFL.”
Despite the team’s difficulties, Hurts emphasizes the importance of “trusting the process” to turn things around.
“It’s all about knowing the process and trusting in the process,” Hurts added. “Believing in the men around you. There will be bumps in the path, as well as difficulties that you will have to overcome. But it all depends on how you react to it.”
