NFL Power Rankings: Philadelphia Eagles Hitting 'Speed Bump'?
Every team is bound to have a down performance, and for the Philadelphia Eagles, that was Sunday when they suffered their first loss of the season to the New York Jets 20-14 at MetLife Stadium.
With the loss, Philadelphia (5-1) only dropped one spot from No. 2 to No. 3 in Sports Illustrated's Power Rankings.
"I think there are just days in which a team is meant to lose, plain and simple," SI writes. "Jalen Hurts was not great, but the entire vehicle upon which the offense operates—the run game—was stymied. The Jets flooded the line like a flash mob, mucking the blocking schemes and shutting down holes as they were appearing to open. That’s a tough position for any quarterback to be in, but especially someone like Hurts, who is 3–4 in games where the Eagles fail to rush for 100 yards or more."
Jalen Hurts had his worst performance of the season, as he completed 28 of 45 passes for 280 yards with one touchdown and three interceptions, the last of which led to New York's game-winning touchdown just one play later with 1:46 left in the game. He also had eight carries for 47 yards and a touchdown.
Jalen Hurt (1) was the Eagles' leading rusher on Sunday.
© Brad Penner, USA TODAY
Hurts is far from the only quarterback to struggle against an elite Jets (3-3) defense. Josh Allen threw one touchdown and three interceptions, and Patrick Mahomes also only threw one touchdown compared to two interceptions against New York.
The absence of the running game and the loss of right tackle Lane Johnson for most of the game because of a right ankle injury was crushing to the Eagles' offense. D'Andre Swift, Kenneth Gainwell and Boston Scott combined to have 14 carries for 33 yards.
Hurts' struggles and an inability to run the ball along with Johnson's injury created a perfect storm for the Eagles to be upset by the Jets.
"Twice this year, the Jets have simply whipped themselves into an emotional frenzy," SI writes. "Defensively, they are playing as cohesively as any secondary we’ve seen in the league. Philly was bound to hit its speed bump at some point. Here’s hoping Lane Johnson’s lateral ankle sprain doesn’t linger too significantly."
The road doesn't get any easier for the Eagles, as they face the Miami Dolphins (5-1) on Sunday Night Football at 8:20 p.m. at Lincoln Financial Field.
