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Hurts silences doubters, cements Eagles as Super Bowl contenders
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts. Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

Jalen Hurts silences doubters, cements Eagles as Super Bowl contenders

All eyes were on Jalen Hurts on Sunday after a week filled with locker-room drama and questions about the Philadelphia Eagles' passing game, and he promptly silenced his doubters with a brilliant performance.

Hurts completed 25 of his 32 pass attempts for 290 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions in a 27-13 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers, all while playing with a broken finger on his left hand. He also pitched in 45 rushing yards and a tush-push touchdown to lead the Eagles to a franchise-record 10th straight victory. Aside from a lost fumble in the first quarter, Hurts played a perfect football game.

This was a much-needed performance from Hurts to dispel the narrative that Philadelphia's passing offense was a major issue. The fifth-year pro threw for just 405 combined yards in his three previous starts, punctuated by a meager 108-yard game against the Carolina Panthers last week. 

He targeted A.J. Brown only four times in that contest, which prompted the star wide receiver to call out the passing game in his postgame interview. 

Hurts made sure not to make that mistake again, as he targeted Brown 11 times and hooked up with him for eight catches, 110 yards and a touchdown against Pittsburgh.

After watching Philadelphia's passing game struggle for nearly a month, the Steelers rolled up to Lincoln Financial Field with a plan to focus on Saquon Barkley and make Hurts beat them through the air. They accomplished the first goal, holding Barkley to just 65 rushing yards on 19 attempts, but they failed to shut down Hurts and the passing game.

This was such a crucial performance from the Eagles because they proved the offense isn't one-dimensional. Sure, Philadelphia can pound the rock with Barkley and Hurts on almost anyone, but if opposing defenses throw more players in the box, Hurts can make them pay down the field. 

The Eagles are tied for No. 1 in the NFL in points allowed per game (17.6) and are first in yards allowed per game (275.6) and rushing yards per game (186.2). If this version of Hurts shows up every week, the Eagles have to be considered the favorites to win the NFC. 

Jack Dougherty

Jack Dougherty has been writing professionally since 2015, contributing to publications such as GoPSUSports. com, Centre Daily Times, Associated Press, and Sportscasting. com

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