The Eagles' offense missed Jalen Hurts on Christmas Eve

Eagles backup quarterback Gardner Minshew was a serviceable starter in the Eagles 40-34 loss to the Cowboys on Christmas Eve. 

While Minshew proved to be one of the better backups in all of football with his performance, it felt like there was something missing to the Eagles' high-octane offense. In other words, it showed how valuable Jalen Hurts is to the Eagles.

Minshew aired it out for 355 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions in the Eagles' loss, his first start of the season. Hurts has thrown five interceptions in 14 games started. 

The last time the Eagles played the Cowboys, Hurts led the Eagles to a 20-0 lead and threw two touchdowns. The Eagles won 26-17. Yes, this game was at home and the Cowboys were playing with Cooper Rush, but it is yet another example of how valuable Hurts is to the Eagles. 

If Hurts started against the Cowboys on Christmas Eve, the Eagles' chances of winning would've been much higher. 

With Hurts at the lead, the Eagles are a top-five offense. They've ran the run-pass potion (RPO) to perfection this year. Yet without Hurts, the same plays that have diced up every defense they've played lack the same level of spark. Simply put, Hurts' dual-threat ability, strong arm and leadership skills make him the perfect quarterback to run the RPO. The Eagles offense looked like a shell of its former self without him. 

As of this writing, Hurts has the third-best odds to win the MVP award despite missing this week's game, per Oddschecker. Hurts is expected to return to the starting lineup as soon as Week 17, per Yahoo Sports.

Until then, Minshew and the Eagles will try to clinch the NFC East and the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs.