Jalen Hurts Makes Strides in Reducing Sacks as Eagles Aim for NFC East Title
PHILADELPHIA – As the Philadelphia Eagles prepare for a critical matchup against the Washington Commanders, the spotlight shines brightly on quarterback Jalen Hurts. Following a standout performance against the Las Vegas Raiders, where he showcased a more aggressive running game with 39 yards on seven carries, Hurts may be on the brink of a pivotal shift in his playing style.
The upcoming game on Saturday represents not just another opportunity for victory but a chance for the Eagles to clinch the NFC East title for the second consecutive year. However, one of the most encouraging developments for the Eagles has been Hurts’ significant reduction in sack numbers.
Improved Protection and Performance
At the beginning of the season, Hurts faced relentless pressure, being sacked a staggering 25 times over the first eight games. This pace put him on track to surpass his career-high of 38 sacks, a record he set during both the previous season and in 2022.
In a remarkable turnaround, Hurts has only been brought down four times in the last six games. Notably, he managed to evade the sack entirely in two contests—against the Green Bay Packers and the Chicago Bears—showcasing his improved ability to read defenses and make quick decisions under pressure.
Factors Behind the Reduction in Sacks
Several factors contribute to this notable decrease in sacks.
Offensive Line Resilience: The Eagles’ offensive line has strengthened, providing Hurts with better protection. This improvement allows him more time to make plays and minimize exposure to defenders.
Quick Decision-Making: Hurts appears to be making quicker and more effective decisions during games. This agility in his thought process enables him to release the ball faster or utilize his legs to evade defenders.
Strategic Play Calling: The coaching staff has adjusted their play-calling to include more designed runs for Hurts, reducing the frequency of drop-back passes that expose him to the risk of being sacked.
With the Eagles in a prime position to secure their playoff standing, the focus now shifts to Hurts and how he will continue to evolve as a quarterback. As he heads into a crucial matchup against the Commanders, all eyes will be on his performance—both in the air and on the ground—as the Eagles chase another NFC East championship.
