No one looks over the situation in the NFC East and thinks afterward that “there's a Super Bowl contender in there.” The Eagles, for one, are priced at around +5000 to win Super Bowl 56 prior to the season. They were not even viewed as the favorite to win the division prior to Week 1. But those low expectations are not going to stop Jalen Hurts from turning heads, which he already started late last season when he took over the starting gig.
Jalen Hurts is the only QB in #NFL history to have 1,000+ pass yards and 300+ rush yards in his 1st 5 career starts…
(via @Infante54) #Eagles pic.twitter.com/8AfYOnHcNu
— NFL Stats (@NFL_Stats) September 16, 2021
Jalen Hurts was terrific in Week 1 of the 2021 NFL season when he and the Eagles mopped the floor using the Atlanta Falcons in a 32-6 win on the road. The former Oklahoma Sooners gunslinger completed 27 of 35 passes for 264 yards and three touchdowns without an interception. He has also quickly developed a rapport with rookie wide receiver DeVonta Smith, who was the recipient of one of those Jalen Hurts TD tosses against the Falcons while leading the team with 71 receiving yards on 6-of-8 catches.
It's not only that, but the Eagles' offensive line appears to be competent this season, albeit based on only one game.
The Philadelphia Eagles' Jalen Hurts was one of the biggest surprises of the opening week, and a big part of the credit should go to how great his tackles — Lane Johnson and Jordan Mailata — played. They gave Hurts a clean pocket in which to operate, and the line's pass block win rate for the week was No. 2 in the NFL at 75%.
In any case, that's a reason to smile for the Eagles. After all, their pass protection in 2020 had the toughness of a wet paper bag, causing Philly quarterbacks to get sacked a total of 65 times.
Jalen Hurts' ability to scramble only adds to the excitement he is generating in Philadelphia, which is also going to be a huge factor for the Eagles' offense. His creativity in the pocket and elusiveness could open up several looks downfield for his receivers.
Hurts could be breaking out this season and Eagles fans should be ready for the ride.
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