Jalen Hurts Unleashes Championship Magic, Leaving Vikings Reeling in Thrilling Showdown

You know, the Philadelphia Eagles have this uncanny knack for proving their mettle when it counts, no matter how silent they play early on. Sunday’s tussle against the Minnesota Vikings was no different. Even though the Eagles were being outgained offensively for much of the first half, they clung to a slender lead, riders on the storm thanks to a defensive touchdown. But then—boom!—Jalen Hurts launched a majestic 79-yard strike to DeVonta Smith as the second half kicked off, changing the entire trajectory of the game. Sprinkle in A.J. Brown’s pair of touchdowns, and suddenly, there they were, flexing that championship-worthy muscle with a gritty 28-22 win on the road. It was a stark reminder: this squad’s weapons run deep, even when the spotlight dims. LEARN MORE

The thing about the Philadelphia Eagles is this: no matter how quiet they are, they still have weapons all over the field.

Through 30 minutes against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, they were thoroughly out-gained offensively and only held an eight-point halftime lead because of a defensive touchdown. But on their first offensive play of the second half, Jalen Hurts hit DeVonta Smith on a 79-yard teardrop bomb.

Tack on a pair of A.J. Brown touchdowns — one in the first quarter, one in the fourth — and just like that, the Eagles reminded everyone why they are the defending Super Bowl champs with a 28-22 road victory over a good Vikings team.

The story going in

The Eagles entered the game with more questions than answers. Coming off two straight losses after a 4-0 start, the defending Super Bowl champs were showing some cracks, on offense (where Philly had been out-gained in each of its first six games this season); at receiver (is A.J. Brown happy?); and just overall vibes (Philly being Philly, they’re questioning if their Super Bowl MVP QB is the right guy for the job).

The Vikings, meanwhile, are maybe the most enigmatic team in the NFL, mainly because of the uncertainty at the quarterback position. This season was supposed to be 2024 first-round pick J.J. McCarthy’s coming out party, but after spraining an ankle in Week 2 and sitting out the four games since, Minnesota is pretty much where they were before the season — a team armed with a stout defense but still wondering if McCarthy, who missed his entire rookie season because of injury, is their franchise QB.

Key moment

Had Carson Wentz, playing for the injured McCarthy, beaten his old team, the panic level in Philadelphia would have reached DEFCON 1. And he might have if not for this play early in the second quarter:

That play ultimately proved to be the difference in a six-point loss for the Vikings.

Where’s Saquon?

This may be the most valid concern in Philadelphia. After a 2,000-yard rushing campaign a year ago, Saquon Barkley has reverted to his underwhelming New York Giants self this season. He was a total non-factor against the Vikings, rushing for just 44 yards on 18 carries and had one catch for -2 yards. A year ago, he averaged 125 yards rushing per game. This season, he’s averaging just 52.

What does it mean?

Minnesota: It was another week of Carson Wentz playing good but not great. He threw two interceptions, one returned for a touchdown, and that was costly. The bigger deal, though, was his inability to get his team in the end zone. Five times they had to settle for Will Reichard field goals, four times inside the red zone. But he did move the ball — he threw for 313 yards — and he did have the Vikings within a defensive stop late in the fourth quarter of having a shot to win the game.

Maybe the lack of total success is a good thing because the Vikings won’t have a quarterback controversy?

Philadelphia: For all the questions about Jalen Hurts being “the right guy” in Philadelphia, consider this: Through seven games last season, he threw for 1,544 yards, 8 TDs and 4 interceptions. Through seven games this season, he’s thrown for 1,498 yards passing, 10 TDs and just 1 interception. He also had a perfect passer rating Sunday (158.3), going 19 of 23 for 326 yards and 3 TDs.

Maybe the issue (if there are issues being 5-2) isn’t Hurts but the lack of the 1-2 punch they had last season when Barkley was playing at an MVP level.