Sooners in the NFL: Jalen Hurts Stars in Afternoon Primetime Slot

Jalen Hurts put the Eagles on his back at home against the Jaguars.

Ross Lovelace | Nov 3, 2024

Nov 3, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) reacts to Saquon Barkley (not pictured) touchdown run against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images / Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

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Oklahoma Sooners

Despite a slow start to the season, Philadelphia is starting to look like a wagon. And one of the main reason for the Eagles' ascension has been former Oklahoma quarterback Jalen Hurts.

With each passing week, Hurts has settled in next to Saquon Barkley and a revamped offensive line. An MVP candidate might be farfetched, but Hurts is starting to look like one of the best signal callers in the NFL once again and is retaking his place as one of the best Sooners in the NFL.

For the Eagles, this season is taking the complete opposite form of last season. Philadelphia started off red hot in 2023, but fell off the rails when it mattered, sputtering towards the finish line. After a 2-2 start to the 2024 season, the Eagles are storming back. Philadelphia has rattled off four straight wins, reminding the NFL of just how good they can be.

Hurts was at his very best once again against Jacksonville on Sunday. The former Oklahoma signal caller recorded 230 yards on 18-of-24 passing with two touchdowns and zero turnovers. On the ground, he added 13 rushes for 67 yards and another score. Without AJ Brown in the second half, this was his most impressive performance of the season.

The fifth-year pro connected with Devonta Smith for a 25-yard score which proved to be the play that won the game for Philadelphia. He has also developed a dynamic connection with former OU tight end Grant Calcaterra, who hauled in five catches for 30 yards.

Since the team’s Week 4 loss at Tampa Bay, Hurts has 844 passing yards, 159 rushing yards, and 12 total touchdowns. He has also gone five straight games without an interception.

Hurts is playing arguably the best football of his professional career. He has inspired the team’s turnaround and led Philadelphia to a four-game win streak by playing turnover free football.

It’s a long season, and nobody knows that better than the Eagles. But right now, there’s not many players in the NFL playing better football than Jalen Hurts.

Published Nov 3, 2024

ROSS LOVELACE

Ross has covered the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Oklahoma Sooners since 2018. He's made guest appearances on various radio stations and the Sooners On SI podcast. Ross enjoys public speaking and has done so at multiple churches and high schools across the OKC metro area. In addition to writing, Ross has been the Play-by-Play announcer for Crossings’ basketball and football programs since 2020. In high school, Ross started with Thunder Digest, where he discovered his passion for writing. From there, he worked for the OU Daily as a women's basketball reporter and worked for Sooners On SI and Thunder On SI. Ross holds a bachelor's degree in Public Relations and a minor in Communication from the University of Oklahoma. Born and raised in Oklahoma City, Ross played basketball and wrote for his own Thunder blog at Crossings High School in OKC. He enjoys reading, New York Jets football and a week at the beach. Ross and his wife live in New Orleans, where he is a Marketing and Volunteer Coordinator at the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation and the New Orleans Super Bowl Host Committee. His Twitter handle is @Rosslovelace.