Eagles’ Jalen Hurts finally looks like an MVP candidate in win over Rams

INGLEWOOD, Calif. – Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts has not looked like the player that was in the MVP conversation last year, intermittently flashing his passing ability in games this season with the rushing attempts not yielding a lot of big plays besides the quarterback sneak the team runs.

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However, Hurts looked like the player given a massive five-year extension this offseason, helping the Eagles improve to 5-0 in Sunday’s 23-14 win over the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium. Hurts finished the game, completing 25 of his 38 passes for 303 yards, a touchdown, and an interception while adding another 72 yards on 15 rushes.

An important task for any quarterback is getting everyone involved in the offense, and that is what Hurts did, completing passes to seven different receivers, including tight end Dallas Goedert, who has been a missing element in the game. Hurts targeted Goedert eight times for 117 yards and a touchdown. Hurts also looked and found his friend, wide receiver A.J. Brown, trusting him by targeting him eight times, with Brown finishing with six catches for 127 yards.

The biggest part of Hurts’ game that had been missing for most of the season returned Sunday when he was carrying the ball on designed runs, showing elusiveness, setting up defenders for cutback lanes, and making them miss him on tackles. Hurts also was smart about taking shots, giving himself up to avoid unnecessary shots.

There was third-and-goal play in the fourth quarter when the Eagles were trying to seal the game with a touchdown. Hurts had wide receiver Quez Watkins and running back Kenneth Gainwell wide open on the play. Had Hurts thrown the ball early, Gainwell would have scored. The same could have been said about Watkins, who was alone in the end zone. After the ball was not thrown to him, Watkins was demonstrative, upset that he did not get the ball.

Hurts also threw a ball that was a back shoulder fade deep to Brown in the third quarter. Hurts had Brown open in one-on-one coverage, but Hurts placed the ball near the pylon, allowing Rams cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon to come over and get the interception, a play that was not well received by head coach Nick Sirianni, who began yelling at Hurts because of the turnover during what was then a one-possession game.

Hurts will look to continue his strong play next Sunday against a Jets defense that could be a lot more challenging than what the Rams presented. If Hurts does keep playing the way he has, the Eagles will be in a good position for the top seed in the NFC.

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Chris Franklin may be reached at cfranklin@njadvancemedia.com.