Philadelphia Eagles Secure Ninth Consecutive Victory Over Panthers
In a closely contested game, the Philadelphia Eagles edged out the Carolina Panthers with a 22-16 victory, marking their ninth consecutive win. Despite securing the win, the Eagles’ performance on the field revealed areas in need of improvement, particularly in their passing game—a sentiment echoed by several players in the aftermath.
Leading the charge was quarterback Jalen Hurts, who had a mixed performance. Though Hurts managed to accumulate only 108 passing yards with an average of 5.1 yards per attempt, he still contributed significantly to the team's success, adding to his tally with three passing touchdowns and two rushing over the last two games. Hurts’ overall passer rating for these attempts stands at 102.7—a respectable figure, highlighting his efficiency despite limited yardage. During the team's current winning streak, his passer rating of 113.7 ranks him fourth in the NFL. Yet, the statistics suggest that Hurts' performance could be more potent, as seen in his last-place ranking in passing yards among quarterbacks with two starts in the previous two games.
In a matchup against a Carolina defense that ranks 24th in pass yardage allowed and 27th in net yards per pass attempt, the Eagles only secured 83 net passing yards. This shortcoming was particularly evident in deep-pass attempts, as Hurts completed only two of six passes over ten air yards, resulting in a passer rating of 59.0 for those attempts.
Wide receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith did not hesitate to express their dissatisfaction with the team’s aerial game. "Passing. What we did today is not good enough. It won't help us," Brown stated candidly, underscoring the lack of explosive plays through the air. Smith mirrored this view, noting, "I think we can do a lot better. Pass game we can be a lot better... We didn't play up to our standard."
Despite these critiques, Hurts maintains a confident outlook on the team’s trajectory. "Winning is the main thing," he emphasized. His approach, as he articulated, centers around continual improvement and integration, "It isn't about solving anything. Everybody has a reason to want more. It's a fair desire of being in fullness to where we can be because we've done it before. Just got to build, got to progress. Have to find a way to come together and synch as a unit and play complementary ball."
The Eagles counterbalanced their passing inefficiencies with a strong rushing attack, amassing 209 rushing yards against the Panthers. This ground game prowess was instrumental in overcoming the match's challenges, providing an alternative offensive avenue that enabled them to control the clock and maintain scoring presence.
In reflecting on the win and the team's need for accountability and growth, left tackle Jordan Mailata emphasized the importance of humility and learning, saying, "We have to put our pride aside and take coaching. That is the form of accountability we harp on a lot. So that's what we have to do. We have to put our pride aside, admit your mistake, learn from it, and don't repeat it. And learn from others' mistakes."
The Eagles’ victory against the Panthers highlighted both their strengths and areas needing refinement. While they continue to demonstrate resilience and adaptability, the team's aspirations will hinge on enhancing their aerial attack to complement their formidable ground game. As they forge ahead in their season, the collective message from players is clear: strive for improvement, uphold accountability, and sustain the winning momentum.