Eagles 'water' cross recreation, transfer previous week's drama – ESPN

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PHILADELPHIA — Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts stated he’s coping with a damaged finger on his non-throwing hand, and that it did have an effect on him Sunday in opposition to the Steelers — however he nonetheless did sufficient to raise a slumping passing recreation and transfer the group previous every week of drama for his or her franchise-record tenth consecutive win.
“So that is what you all wished to see, huh?” Hurts requested as he sat down for his postgame information convention following Philadelphia’s 27-13 win.
It was undoubtedly what receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith wished to see. Each voiced their frustrations in regards to the passing recreation following final week’s slender win over the Carolina Panthers by which Hurts completed with simply 108 yards by way of the air — the third consecutive week he was held underneath 180 yards.
Brown’s feedback that “passing” was the problem on offense and that there was little sideline communication with Hurts to get issues fastened led to Brandon Graham‘s assertion that Hurts and Brown were no longer close like they as soon as had been. That set off a media firestorm that consumed much of the week.
Brown stated he and Hurts “did let the group know that we’re on the identical web page and nothing’s fallacious or something like that.”
Contained in the Eagles apply facility, Smith stated numerous “robust” and “uncomfortable” conversations had been had. Brown spoke of additional conferences between gamers and coaches that emphasised bettering particulars and communication within the passing recreation.
All that helped gas a highly-efficient passing efficiency with Hurts going 25-of-32 for 290 yards with a pair of touchdowns.
Brown and Smith every went over 100 yards. It was the fourth time they’ve completed that feat, setting the mark for probably the most such video games by a duo in Eagles historical past.
“The strategy was a little bit completely different this week. The grass might be inexperienced the place you water it and we determined to water [the pass game], and also you type of noticed the fruits of our labor in that,” Hurts stated.
Hurts and Brown related for a 5-yard landing cross late within the first quarter to place Philadelphia up 10-3. They then broke right into a choreographed dance celebration.
“That was our second to inform everyone to close up,” Brown stated.
Hurts injured the ring finger on his left hand final Sunday in opposition to the Panthers and was listed as a full participant on the damage report all through the week. He wore a glove on his left hand in opposition to the Steelers, which isn’t widespread apply for him.
Hurts did lose a fumble when T.J. Watt punched the ball out on a first-quarter scramble, however in any other case performed a clear recreation.
“I can say I do not suppose it obtained any worse immediately,” Hurts stated of the finger. “If it is shattered, it is shattered. It’s what it’s.”
The Eagles improved to 12-2 and moved right into a digital tie with Detroit for the highest seed within the NFC after the Lions fell to the Buffalo Bills.
The protection continued to overperform expectations whereas the offense confirmed it’s able to getting the job executed in a wide range of methods on an evening when Saquon Barkley (19 carries, 65 yards) was largely held in test.
“We all know what the tip objective is, particularly me, DeVonta and Jalen … We’re making an attempt to get to the tip and we’re making an attempt to complete,” Brown stated. “It is good we gained 10 video games however we’re not happy with that, actually. In our minds, we have not executed nothing. That is our mindset. It is easy for us to have these robust conversations to name one another out as a result of we all know what we wish on the finish. It makes it simpler after we’re shut.”

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