Plenty of heroes stood out in the Philadelphia Eagles' 24-20 win over the Tennessee Titans, but DeVonta Smith deserves a special mention. Jalen Hurts consistently looked his way throughout the afternoon, and Smith responded by catching 10 of 13 targets for 117 yards and a touchdown.
More importantly, he did his best work when Philadelphia needed someone to make a play. His diving conversion on third-and-12 helped keep one of the Eagles' most important drives alive, while his 22-yard touchdown gave Philadelphia its first lead of the afternoon. Here are three observations from another strong performance by Smith, one that further establishes him as one of the best players at his position.
1. DeVonta Smith's 16th career 100-yard game
DeVonta Smith has now recorded 16 career games with at least
100 receiving yards, which is another testament to his consistency. There shouldn't be many questions remaining about whether he can operate as a legitimate No. 1 receiver.
Quite frankly, that question was answered years ago. Smith has shown throughout his career that he can produce even when defenses know the ball is coming his way. Sunday provided another reminder.
After a relatively quiet season opener, aside from a beautiful catch on a deep ball along the sideline from Jalen Hurts, his performance against Tennessee wasn't simply a big statistical afternoon. It was the kind of workload and production expected from Philadelphia's top receiver, one that shouldn't shock anyone who knows what he is capable of.
2. Dawn Staley tips her cap to DeVonta Smith after a solid performance
Smith's performance clearly caught the attention of one of the most accomplished coaches in basketball. South Carolina women's basketball coach Dawn Staley tipped her cap to Smith and Jalen Hurts on X after the Eagles' victory.
You mess with @JalenHurts you mess with all of us! How bout QB1 on his game winning drive?! Now apologize 🤣🤣🤣 And @devontasmith WR1 you are unreal!! #IBelieve
— dawnstaley (@dawnstaley) September 20, 2026
Staley, a future Hall of Fame coach, knows a thing or two about high-level competitors, so seeing her publicly acknowledge Philadelphia's quarterback and No. 1 receiver was a fun little postgame nod. It also made for a nice reminder that Smith's work is being noticed well beyond the football world.
3. DeVonta Smith has an obvious clutch gene
This may have been the most important observation of all. Trailing 20-17 with 1:56 remaining in the fourth quarter, Hurts orchestrated a nine-play, 65-yard touchdown drive, and Smith was at the center of it.
Smith caught all four passes thrown his way for 38 yards, including two beautiful toe-tap catches that kept the Eagles moving. Darius Cooper then scored the touchdown to finish the drive, with Smith's 19-yard conversion on third down setting Philadelphia up at the Titans' 3-yard line. Smith's earlier touchdown was just as impressive.
DeVonta Smith wiiiide open for a TD 🦅
— NFL (@NFL) September 20, 2026
PHIvsTEN on FOX/FOX One
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/H0pDJCagPi
DeVonta Smith makes the catch near the end zone!
— NFL (@NFL) September 20, 2026
PHIvsTEN on FOX/FOX One
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/BJ5kgPy7VZ
Afterward, Smith described the final drive as "fun." He also pointed to one particularly important quality in Hurts, telling reporters that his quarterback “didn't flinch.”
Devonta Smith says the final drive was “fun”
— Eliot Shorr-Parks (@EliotShorrParks) September 20, 2026
As for Jalen Hurts?
“He didn’t flinch” pic.twitter.com/WJNPfo1SvZ
That description could apply to Smith, too. When Philadelphia needed its best receiver late, he didn't flinch either. That's becoming one of the most valuable parts of his game.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: 3 takeaways from DeVonta Smith’s 117-yard performance
