PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Jalen Hurts showed the Tennessee Titans — and anyone else watching — just how well he can play quarterback.
With no timeouts, 1:56 remaining and the Eagles trailing by three points on Sunday, Hurts led a nine-play, 65-yard drive that ended with a 3-yard touchdown pass to Darius Cooper with 9 seconds remaining, giving Philadelphia a 24-20 victory.
“That drive down the field was a big-time drive,” Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said.
The
stellar play from Hurts in crunch time followed comments by Tennessee’s Jeffery Simmons in the lead-up to the game in which the Pro Bowl defensive tackle said a key for the Titans would be to make Hurts play quarterback. Simmons explained the comment after the game by saying the Titans wanted to keep Hurts in the pocket.
“I heard it,” Hurts said. “Happy we won.”
Hurts finished 26 of 37 for 264 yards with a pair of touchdowns and two interceptions. He went 6 of 8 for 61 yards on the final drive, including a 20-yard pass down the right sideline to Dontayvion Wicks and a 19-yard strike down the left sideline to DeVonta Smith to the Titans 3-yard line. He then found Cooper in the back of the end zone, and the second-year undrafted free agent from Tarleton State made a leaping reception for his first career touchdown.
“I knew Darius Cooper would be ready to make a play when he needed to make a play,” Sirianni said.
Philadelphia’s coach also knew that Hurts would be poised under pressure.
“Proud of the way he played and the way he had his resolve, but that’s who he is,” Sirianni said. “That doesn’t surprise me. He’s that on a daily basis. Constantly in the moment. It’s just a great example of your habits take over in this moment. You can’t expect to be somebody different if you haven’t practiced that the entire time. And that’s who Jalen is.”
Hurts said the final drive was emblematic of his approach during all four quarters.
“Same approach at the end of the game is the same approach throughout the game,” he said. “Great focus and poise coming in and being able to maintain that throughout the game. That’s what it came down to.”
Hurts continues to connect with receivers for explosive passing plays, an emphasis for the Eagles under new offensive coordinator Sean Mannion. After hitting on three passes for more than 30 yards in Week 1, Hurts had three plays that went for at least 22 yards against Tennessee, including those crucial passes to Wicks and Smith on the final drive.
Pass protection remains an issue for the Eagles’ offensive line, which has allowed six sacks in two weeks. Hurts was under frequent pressure against the Titans, though less so than against the Commanders the previous week.
Smith finished with 10 receptions for 117 yards and a touchdown, bringing his two-game total to 13 catches for 170 yards in his new role at the No. 1 receiver after Philadelphia traded A.J. Brown in the offseason.
Philadelphia’s running game has stalled in the first two weeks. Excluding Hurts’ rushing yards, the Eagles have totaled 163 yards on the ground through two weeks, including 73 against the Titans.
RB Saquon Barkley (stinger) was injured on the game’s first play. He returned early in the second half and finished with 9 yards on four carries. After leading Philadelphia with 77 yards receiving and two scores in Week 1, TE Dallas Goedert (knee) had one catch for 4 yards before leaving in the second quarter.
Philadelphia improved to 15-4 in September since 2021.
The Eagles host Chicago on Monday, Sept. 28.
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