In a tightly contested matchup, the Philadelphia Eagles emerged victorious against the Carolina Panthers with a final score of 22-16. This win extends the Eagles' impressive streak to nine consecutive victories. Despite the win, concerns linger regarding their passing game, which continues to struggle as highlighted in their latest outing.
Ground Game Domination
The Eagles showcased their dominance on the ground, amassing a staggering 209 rushing yards. The effectiveness of their ground attack played a crucial role in securing this victory. It contrasts sharply with their aerial struggles, where they managed a mere 83 net passing yards. The disparity raised eyebrows, especially given Carolina's defense ranked low in pass yardage allowed, standing at 24th, and in net yards per pass attempt, ranked 27th.
Challenges in the Air
Quarterback Jalen Hurts completed just 108 passing yards, averaging 5.1 yards per attempt. His performance mirrored issues from previous games, with Hurts ranking last in passing yards among quarterbacks with two starts over the past two contests. On passes exceeding 10 air yards, Hurts completed only two of six attempts, resulting in a passer rating of 59.0. Despite these figures, his overall passer rating remains a respectable 102.7, buoyed by his contribution of five total touchdowns—three passing and two rushing—over the past two games.
A Need for Improvement
The team recognizes the need for improvement. Star receiver A.J. Brown candidly remarked, "Passing. What we did today is not good enough. It won't help us." His sentiments were echoed by teammate DeVonta Smith, who acknowledged, "I think we can do a lot better. Pass game we can be a lot better... We didn't play up to our standard." Their comments reflect the overarching sentiment within the Eagles' camp as they strive to elevate their game in the passing department.
Leadership and Accountability
Despite the passing woes, Jalen Hurts remains unfazed, maintaining focus on the bigger picture. Emphasizing the importance of victory, he stated, "Winning is the main thing." He acknowledged the room for growth, saying, "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." The young quarterback's maturity shines through as he stresses the importance of unity and complementary play.
Fostering improvement through accountability is a theme echoed by offensive lineman Jordan Mailata. He underscored the significance of taking ownership of one's mistakes, noting, "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."
A Winning Streak’s Bright Spot
While there are areas for improvement, the Eagles' winning streak brings certain positives, particularly Jalen Hurts' performance over this stretch. He has tossed up 23 total touchdowns and committed only two giveaways, achieving a passer rating of 113.7—fourth in the NFL during this period. His deep throws have been particularly effective, boasting a passer rating of 126.0 on throws beyond 10 air yards over the past nine games.
The Philadelphia Eagles find themselves at a pivotal point in their season. While they continue to rack up victories, the need for a more consistent and potent passing game is evident. With leadership focused on holistic growth and player accountability, the path to improvement is clear. As the season progresses, eyes will remain on how the Eagles bridge the gap between their formidable rushing ability and a developed, reliable aerial attack that can sustain their winning momentum.