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

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PHILADELPHIA — Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts mentioned he’s coping with a damaged finger on his non-throwing hand, and that it did have an effect on him Sunday towards 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 positively 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 during which Hurts completed with simply 108 yards via the air — the third consecutive week he was held below 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 mentioned he and Hurts “did let the group know that we’re on the identical web page and nothing’s mistaken or something like that.”
Contained in the Eagles follow facility, Smith mentioned numerous “powerful” and “uncomfortable” conversations had been had. Brown spoke of additional conferences between gamers and coaches that emphasised enhancing particulars and communication within the passing recreation.
All that helped gasoline a extremely environment friendly passing efficiency, with Hurts going 25-of-32 for 290 yards with a pair of touchdowns.
Brown and Smith every went over 100 yards, marking the fourth time they’ve achieved the feat and setting a brand new report for probably the most such video games by a duo in Eagles historical past.
“The method was a little bit completely different this week. The grass shall 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 mentioned.
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 all people to close up,” Brown mentioned.
Hurts injured the ring finger on his left hand final Sunday towards 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 towards the Steelers, which isn’t his frequent follow.
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 assume it acquired any worse at this time,” Hurts mentioned 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 outperform expectations whereas the offense confirmed it’s able to getting the job finished 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 mentioned. “It is good we gained 10 video games however we’re not happy with that, actually. In our minds, we have not finished nothing. That is our mindset. It is easy for us to have these powerful conversations to name one another out as a result of we all know what we wish on the finish. It makes it simpler once we’re shut.”

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