Week 2 puts Jalen Hurts right back under the microscope, and the Eagles need a cleaner, sharper version of their quarterback when Tennessee comes to town.
Hurts opened the season with a solid line in Philadelphia’s 24-22 win over Washington, going 15-of-24 for 203 yards and three touchdowns while adding 46 rushing yards on seven carries. There were flashes of the special stuff in that game, the kind of “Superman moments” the Eagles want to keep seeing. But the next step is about turning those flashes into something steadier.
The first fix is simple enough: cut out the empty possessions. Philadelphia had five three-and-outs against the Commanders, and while a lot of that falls on new offensive coordinator Sean Mannion, Hurts is still the man steering the offense on the field. He has to help keep drives alive and keep the Eagles ahead of the chains.
That means leaning into efficiency. If the easy short throws are there, take them. The deep ball can wait if it means the offense is staying on schedule and not sputtering out.
Hurts also doesn’t need to abandon what makes him dangerous. His scrambling and running game have already been a major part of his success, and Titans defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons said making Hurts "be a QB" is the key to winning.
But Hurts’ mobility is part of the job description. He bailed out his offensive line with his legs at times against Washington, and that element should stay in the plan.
Another big piece for Philadelphia is getting DeVonta Smith more involved. Smith is a top-10 receiver who hasn’t always been featured enough, and this feels like the kind of game where Hurts could help him get over 100 yards and find the end zone.
The key is doing it without forcing the issue the way Hurts did with A.J. Brown last year.
That could mean dialing up a few calculated deep shots to Smith. Hurts has already connected on three passes of 30 yards or more, and those explosives could matter against a Titans secondary that is subpar right now.
Above all, Hurts has to keep doing what he did best in Week 1: protect the football. Turnovers are rarely the thing people pin on him when things go wrong, and that part of his game cannot slip.
If Hurts ends up around 250 passing yards with two or three touchdowns and no turnovers, Eagles fans would likely call it a strong day. The win matters most, but so does the kind of progress that can carry this offense forward.
In Other News...
Eagles Pass Rush Suddenly Has No Excuses After Fangios Callout
Vic Fangio didnt mince words after the Eagles opened the season with a win over Washington, saying the pass rush was too inconsistent and never finished the job with a sack. For a defense built to tilt games at the line of scrimmage, it was the kind of performance that leaves room for concern even in a victory, especially with key edge help still out because of injury and the early schedule already asking more of the front.
Now the focus shifts to Tennessee and rookie quarterback Cam Ward, who took plenty of hits in Week 1, giving Philadelphia a clear chance to be more disruptive. Jalyx Hunt and A.J. Epenesa both acknowledged the group has to be better, and Fangios critique has put the pressure on this rotation to turn a promising opener into something sharper in Week 2. [Read more 🡒]
Eagles Safety Concern Just Got Harder To Ignore For Sunday
The Eagles secondary is looking a little thinner heading into Sundays matchup with the Titans, and the latest roster move only adds to the uncertainty. Philadelphia elevated rookie safety Maximus Pulley, a sign the team is preparing as if it may need another body on the back end with Drew Mukuba questionable because of a knee injury.
Mukubas status is the piece to watch, especially with the Eagles already navigating a practice week that included limited work for Jalen Carter and Cooper DeJean, both of whom are expected to play. Philadelphia still has one open roster spot, so the team has some flexibility, but the decision to bring up Pulley suggests the safety situation is now something the Eagles cannot afford to brush aside. [Read more 🡒]
Eagles Rookies Suddenly Carry Two Early Concerns Into Titans Game
The Eagles head into Week 2 against the Titans already juggling a couple of rookie-related questions that could shape how they handle the early part of the season. Wide receiver Makai Lemon has been on the field in the first two games, but his production has been limited and quiet, a slow start that appears tied in part to his recovery from injury. For a team trying to settle into a rhythm, that leaves one of its young pass catchers still searching for an opening to make an impact.
The more immediate concern may be up front, where Landon Dickersons move to injured reserve opens the door for rookie Micah Morris to take on a more important backup role. Philadelphia is weighing its options at left guard, and Morris suddenly looks like the kind of depth piece who could be asked to do more sooner than expected. For an offense built on stability in the trenches, his readiness is now part of the conversation. [Read more 🡒]