If the NFC East was not convinced about Jalen Hurts, there is certainly no doubt now.
After a disappointing playoff game against the Tampa Bay Bucs, concluding the Eagles 2021 season, there was much press concerning Hurts playoff game.
However, Hurts rose to the elite tier of 2022 quarterbacks, serving notice to his divisional rivals (Commanders, Giants, Cowboys) he is the real deal.
His 2022 play saw him voted to his first Pro Bowl. The Eagles were 14-1 in the 15 regular season games Hurts started. (Yes, Hurts only loss in the regular season was that MNF home loss to the Commanders).
Hurts put up Pro Bowl-worthy numbers completing 66.5 percent of his passes for 3,701 yards and 22 touchdown passes. All three were quite noticeable improvements over his first two seasons. His touchdown/interception ratio improved from 2021’s 16/9 to 22/6.
The Eagles offense, led by Hurts, made sizeable leaps from 2021 in passing yards per game (209.6/246.7), passer rating (87.2/101.5), and QBR (48.5/66.3).
Did you notice Hurts rushed the ball for 760 yards, averaging 4.6 yards per carry, 50.7 rushing yards a game, and scoring 13 rushing touchdowns? Hurts was the NFL’s best dual-threat quarterback in 2022.
How did Hurts fare playing in his first Super Bowl? He completed 27 of 38 passes, including a touchdown pass, becoming the first Super Bowl quarterback to throw for 300+ yards (304), while also rushing for 70 yards and rushing for three touchdowns.
Hurts continues to surprise with his rate of progress in his three years in the NFL. His play in the Super Bowl was stellar. If not for his fumble being returned for a touchdown, he is the MVP of the game.
In one season, Hurts has unarguably climbed from the third-best quarterback in the division to, without question, the best quarterback in the division.
And to think, when the Eagles selected Hurts 53rd overall in the second round of the 2020 NFL draft, they were heavily questioned as having wasted such a high draft pick, seeing they already had Carson Wentz as their starter.
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