The Philadelphia Eagles looked like one of the best teams in the league. throughout the 2024 season. With the addition of Saquon Barkley and their imposing offensive line, the Eagles rushing attack was one of the best in the league. Under the tutelage of Vic Fangio and with the addition of Zack Baun, the Philadelphia defense found its stride in the second half of the season.
But if there was a question mark, there was their passing game. Even with Jalen Hurts, DeVonta Smith, A.J. Brown, and more the Philadelphia passing attack seemed to be a weakness.
Then came Philadelphia’s final two games of the season, the NFC Championship Game and Super Bowl LIX.
What did Hurts do in those two games?
Against the Commanders in the NFC Championship Game, Hurts connected on 20-of-28 passes for 246 yards and a touchdown. Perhaps most notable for Hurts was what he did when he was blitzed in that game. According to charting data from Pro Football Focus, Hurts was 10-of-16 for 141 yards when Washington brought pressure.
One of those plays, this connection with Brown on a 4th-and-5 play before halftime:
At that point, the Eagles had a 14-12 lead, but they finished the drive with a touchdown to take a 20-12 lead. They added another touchdown before halftime to take a 27-12 lead into the break, and their ticket to Super Bowl LIX was punched.
Then came Super Bowl LIX.
Going into the game the focus was on Kansas City Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo and how he would slow down Barkley and that imposing Philadelphia rushing attack. In large part, Spagnuolo and the Kansas City defense did just that, as Barkley was held to just 57 rushing yards on 25 attempts, and his average of 2.3 yards per attempt landed well below his season average.
But with the Chiefs slowing down Barkley and the Eagles rushing game, the offense had to come from somewhere for Philadelphia. And in large part, it came from Hurts, who completed 17-of-22 passes for 221 yards, 2 touchdowns, and an interception. Hurts added another 72 rushing yards on 11 attempts, and a touchdown.
That first touchdown pass came just before halftime. After Baun gifted the Eagles tremendous field position with a diving interception, Hurts connected with Brown along the left sideline for a 12-yard touchdown pass to give the Eagles a 24-0 lead at the halftime break:
Then came the dagger. Late in the third quarter, with the Eagles holding a 27-0 lead, Philadelphia took over near midfield after stopping the Chiefs on fourth down. Rather than work some clock and try and salt away the game, Kellen Moore called for the deep shot.
Hurts carried out a run fake with Barkley, and then retreated into the pocket before looking for Smith deep downfield:
34-0 Philadelphia and the rout was on.
The Eagles passing game may have been a question mark throughout much of the 2024 season. But when Philadelphia needed him most, Hurts stepped up in a big way.
And now he is a Super Bowl champion, as well as a Super Bowl MVP.
