Jalen Hurts puts on ‘big-time performance’ in Eagles vs. Vikings on ‘Monday Night Football’, shows he’s the real deal

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You couldn’t fault Jalen Hurts for slowing up as he approached the goal line. He’s the Eagles’ present and future at the quarterback position, after all. And after evading tacklers and trampling the ball deep into the red zone, perhaps Hurts should have slowed down and slid.

But that’s just not how Hurts operates. Instead, the third-year hurler collided into a pair of Vikings defenders. The rock was meeting not one, but two unmovable objects.

You know what happened next? Hurts trampled them. He fought through the barrier of Purple People Eaters and crossed the plane of the goal line for a touchdown. 26 yards to pay dirt, in the blink of an eye.

MORE: Hurts, Darius Slay lead Philadelphia to highlight-reel win over Minnesota on ‘MNF’

It was the standout moment in a day filled with highlights for 24-year old. And it was marvelous.

Hurts put on an absolute clinic under the lights, going 25-for-31 for 333 passing yards and a touchdown. He added 57 yards and two TDs on the ground, further spotlighting his dominance.

But it was more than that for the Philly QB. You see, Minnesota just couldn’t handle him. The Vikings appeared committed to playing soft coverage against Hurts, hoping that he would falter when forced to air the ball out.

It didn’t work. Hurts’ presence in the pocket was comparable to that of a light tower. He stayed in his bubble for as long as he good, surveying option after option before finding his target. More often than not, he made the right decision.

Philly’s signal-caller showed the sort of poise associated with the game’s very best. And he showed it from the game’s opening whistle.

In the Eagles’ first drive, Hurts twice slung precise passes to the sideline, right in a spot where only his receiver could grab them. Both times, Hurts ended up on the canvas, crunched by ex-Eagle Eric Kendricks.

“That’s the type of football we want to play consistently,” Hurts said after the game. “We want to be that way consistently.”

He capped off that drive with a slaloming three-yard touchdown carry. Don’t let the short yardage fool you; Hurts showcased his top-line agility and dexterity to swerve beyond would-be tacklers.

It was the sort of score that top-tier dual threat hurlers like Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen have become known for, equal parts fire and ice. And although it’s may be premature to anoint Hurts as the “next man up” to join that elite collective, the parallels are clear to see.

Hurts’ showcase wasn’t just another good game. It was historic. Literally. Check it out:

Philadelphia’s gunslinger put on an absolute show. And in a game filled with stars — both on- and off-the-field — it was Hurts’ whose light burned brightest.

After the game, Hurts’ head coach Nick Sirianni was nothing but complimentary of his QB’s performance. 

“Big-time performance on a big-time stage,” Sirianni added.

MORE: Eagles’ Darius Slay gifts ball to 76ers’ James Harden after pick on ‘MNF’

That Vick performance — a game where the former No. 1 overall pick scored six touchdowns — lives on in the minds of Philadelphians. And, although lacking the gaudy TD totals, Hurts’ display was comparable.

When asked about whether he felt the game was slowing down for him in his second year helming Nick Sirianni’s offense, Hurts was coy:

I think everything comes with time. It’s the same things that I’ve always said, it all comes with time. And as time goes, you find more comfort in what you’re doing. You find more of a niche of what that looks like for you. And I think as an offense, as a collective group, coach Sirianni … myself, we put so much work in to try and make things efficient and try to be efficient.

Hurts was more than efficient on Monday, though. He was excellent. And he gave Philly fans a glimpse at just how great he can be if he pulls it all together. 

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