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Jalen Hurts took his seat at the podium.
Without cracking a smile, the Philadelphia Eagles quarterback quipped: “So that’s what y’all wanted to see, huh?”
Hurts knew the noise surrounding the Eagles’ recent passing game reduction had struck a nerve the past week. Hurts’ own receiver, A.J. Brown, had aired his discontent with a passing attack that was actually plenty efficient but (to Brown’s dismay) selectively used.
The Eagles entered this week ranked dead last in pass attempts and first in rushing attempts. The offseason acquisition of running back Saquon Barkley was reaping massive benefit … but frustrating teammates whose targets had shifted toward their once-division rival.
So Philadelphia made a change.
In a 27-13 win over the playoff-bound Pittsburgh Steelers, Hurts targeted Brown a season-high 12 times and DeVonta Smith a season-high 11. Each hauled in a touchdown and more than 100 yards on a day when the Eagles’ 270 net passing yards marked their second most of the season and highest mark in more than two months.
The results were undeniable, the effectiveness of shifting from a run emphasis to a pass emphasis integral to the Eagles’ franchise-record 10th straight win.
The reason for this shift may not be as intentional as the narrative surrounding it seems. Perhaps it doesn’t matter. But it’s fair to say the Eagles, and especially Brown, got lucky.
The luck element wasn’t about production, Brown fully earning his 110 yards thanks to immense talent and extra meetings in the week leading to this game.
“You talk about something 10 times, you’re like ‘OK, I got it,’” Brown said after his fifth 100-yard receiving game this year. “It’s needed, though. And who cares how long we stay in there when we come out and put on a performance like today?”
The luck wasn’t about beating the Steelers, either. Pittsburgh’s offense was anemic without George Pickens (sidelined by a hamstring injury), the Steelers unable to capitalize even…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/in-settling-jalen-hurts-aj-brown-tension-eagles-got-lucky-vs-steelers–but-not-in-the-way-you-might-think-052839151.html
Author : Yahoo Sports
Publish date : 2024-12-16 05:28:00
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