With brutal stretch looming, injured Eagles QB Jalen Hurts stars in win vs. Commanders

It explains why Hurts only ran the ball four times for six yards Sunday. Luckily for the Eagles, his arm seems in great shape.

Hurts threw for 319 yards with four touchdown passes and no interceptions. According to Pro Football Reference, it was his first game with at least 300 passing yards, four passing TDs and no picks.

Two of those scoring passes went to wide receiver A.J. Brown, who set an NFL record with his sixth straight game with at least 125 receiving yards. One of Brown's scores was an incredible one-handed grab in the back corner of the end zone.

Halfway through the fourth quarter, Philadelphia took its first lead when Hurts found new Eagle Julio Jones in the end zone.

Hurts received good protection from his offensive line, which only surrendered two sacks. A lesser OL may not have protected him as well against Washington, whose defensive line includes four first-round draft picks.

Afterward, Hurts was cagey about his injury status, telling reporters that he is just fine. 

As long as his arm is still strong — and as long as he isn't taking any unnecessary risks — maybe there isn't anything to worry about. His knee is still worth keeping an eye on, though, especially with the Eagles hosting the Dallas Cowboys in Week 9 to begin a crucial stretch.

In addition to a second game vs. the Cowboys in Texas on Dec. 10, Philadelphia has Kansas City (Nov. 20 away), Buffalo (Nov. 26 home), San Francisco (Dec. 3 home) and Seattle (Dec. 17 away) on the schedule over the next seven weeks, with a bye in Week 10.

Should Hurts be sidelined due to his bothersome knee, the Eagles would turn to journeyman Marcus Mariota at QB. In three preseason games, Mariota was an uninspiring 17-of-30 with 165 passing yards, no touchdown passes and an interception.

Six years ago, Nick Foles proved that with the right roster, a backup quarterback can lead his team to a championship. Such a scenario is supposed to be a one-off, not a blueprint. Given Philadelphia's strong roster, perhaps it could tread water with Mariota, but the Eagles need Hurts to make another Super Bowl run.