Jalen Hurts took a seat at the podium.
Without a smile, the Philadelphia Eagles quarterback quipped, “So this is what you all wanted to see, huh?”
Hurts knew the buzz surrounding the Eagles’ recent pass rush hit a nerve last week. Hurts’ own receiver, AJ Brown, made his displeasure known with the pass, which was actually quite effective but (to Brown’s dismay) selectively used.
The Eagles entered this week dead last in passing attempts and first in rushing. The offseason acquisition of running back Saquon Barkley reaped huge benefits … but frustrated teammates whose targets shifted toward their former division rival.
So Philadelphia made the change.
In a 27-13 win over the playoff-bound Pittsburgh Steelers, Hurts targeted Brown 12 times for a season-high and DeVonto Smith for a season-high 11. Each hauled in a touchdown and over 100 yards on the day. as the Eagles’ 270 clean sheets marked the second-most of the season and the highest mark in more than two months.
The results were undeniable, the efficiency of the switch from an emphasis on the run to an emphasis on the pass integral to the Eagles’ record 10th straight win.
The reason for this shift may not be as deliberate as the surrounding narrative makes it seem. Maybe it doesn’t matter. But it’s fair to say the Eagles, and especially Brown, were lucky.
The element of luck wasn’t about production, Brown fully earned his 110 yards thanks to tremendous talent and other meetings in the week leading up to that game.
“You talk about something 10 times, you’re like, ‘OK, I got it,'” Brown said after his fifth 100-yard game of the year. “However, it is necessary.” And who cares how long we stay there when we come out and put on a show like today?’
We weren’t lucky to beat the Steelers. Pittsburgh’s offense was anemic without George Pickens (sidelined with a knee injury), the Steelers couldn’t capitalize on the defense and special teams, which each forced turnovers. Pittsburgh knew they should lose.
“They played a lot better than us tonight,” Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson said.
The Eagles were more fortunate because in a week when they needed an answer in the passing game, a defense that just came to town. As the Eagles improve to 12-2 and finally tie the Detroit Lions for the NFC’s best record, what they’ve learned through a combination of luck and hard work could get them deep into the playoffs.
“There are multiple ways to win,” Hurts said.
A shifted game strategy helped the Eagles beat the Steelers — and re-establish themselves
Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore has a basic philosophy: “Take what the defense gives us aggressively.
To paraphrase: Game plans should be adjusted weekly to the opponent and the match. But they don’t have to do it passively; they can anticipate rather than react.
The “aggressive” element of Moore’s philosophy alone would encourage an emphasis on the pass rush against the Steelers, as highly compensated and highly talented receivers began to resent its use. The Eagles need look no further than last season to see what happens when their locker room and coaching staff fall apart.
But the defensive element of the philosophy is where the luck came. In a week when the Eagles decided it was worth cheering on Brown and Smith, the Steelers came in with the 18th-ranked and fourth-best rushing defense. Complaints or not, more emphasis in the air was warranted.
“The way they play defense, they add a lot of guys to the field, so we knew they were coming,” Smith said. “It was just about getting that one team that wanted to stop the run and wanted us to win the game through the air.
“Trust has always been there. It was just about getting the opportunity.”
The margin of confidence may border on revisionist history. But excuse the Eagles if the post-victory glow left them looking through Kelly Green glasses. Philadelphia outgained the 10-win Steelers 401 yards to 163. The Eagles fell eight seconds short of doubling Pittsburgh’s possession and never trailed.
Hurts found Brown on the second play of the game for 7 yards and later in the first quarter on a 24-yard, back-shoulder fade that cornerback Joey Porter Jr. couldn’t keep up the pace. The pair combined for a touchdown for just the second time in the last seven games, and Smith also scored before the end of the first quarter.
Hurts’ 32 pass attempts were his most since September.
The quarterback, who often speaks in metaphors, had his imagery ready.
“The grass will be green where you water it,” Hurts said. “We decided to water it and we saw the fruits of our labor. Obviously, we watered down the running game a little bit, and it’s quite natural to emphasize one thing and de-emphasize another.
“We want to continue to be versatile. Push to be well-rounded and water all surfaces.”
As the eagles look at the odds, “they all kissed and made up”
If the Eagles beat the Washington Commanders next week, they will clinch the NFC East.
Philadelphia has already clinched a playoff spot and is well positioned to secure the NFC’s top seed and lone bye.
The Eagles are on top at a time when fellow NFC 12-2 Detroit continues to lose more quarterbacks to injuries. Philadelphia isn’t in perfect health, with Hurts playing through a broken left ring finger and Barkley getting a medical and rest during Sunday’s win. But the Eagles only have division games left and should be able to win any. They could have Week 18 and possibly a wild card round to rest injured players.
Diversified winning recipes are one reflection of the Eagles’ peak. Head coach Nick Sirianni said their response to the conflict and noise this week is different.
“What seemed like chaos on the outside … we used as something that encouraged us and made us better,” Sirianni said. “If you can have peace during the chaos – that’s huge.”
The Eagles seem much more spirited able to handle the highs and lows than they did a year ago.
They seem to be more schematically prepared.
Philadelphia has stars at every level of its defense, from 2023 first-round pick Jalen Carter on the line to special teammate-probably Pro Bowl linebacker Zack Baun cleaning up the next level. Rookie cornerbacks Cooper DeJean and Quinyon Mitchell helped solidify Philadelphia’s secondary.
And that’s just the beginning of a staff that has settled in impressively in its first season in defensive coordinator Vic Fangio’s scheme.
Offensively, a team that was already stacked at and behind the line of scrimmage got deeper with the addition of Barkley. The Eagles quarterback and their weapons can win through the air or on the ground. They showed it during this year – and they only showed both recipes this month.
It hurts the values that.
“I’ve always said and believe that you want to make sure all your tools are sharp,” Hurts said. “I want to be multiple and make sure all our tools are sharp when we need them. You may not need all the tools in your toolbox. But knowing he’s in good shape doesn’t hurt.’
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The Eagles’ running game is sharp. Their passing game too. And the conflict resolution muscle?
Brown argued that “it’s easy for us to have these difficult conversations” because of their common goals. Smith said the team is “uncomfortable talking to each other.” [are] why this team is so good.”
The Eagles weren’t stressed after another big win against a playoff contender.
“Olive branches [were] extended,” Lane Johnson said. “They all kissed and made up. Sometimes brothers argue. We have a lot of great players in this team.
“So this is how I see it: the brothers disagreed and we went out and rang the bell tonight.”