With Jalen Hurts sitting there, his elbows on his knees, he’s in disbelief on the Eagles bench. After throwing three interceptions and holding the ignominious distinction of being the first Eagles’ quarterback to ever lose to the New York Jets.
Due to injuries to Lane Johnson and Cam Jurgens, a depleted secondary without cornerback Darius Slay and losing safety Reed Blankenship during the course of the game, the sputtering offense, and Hurts running for his life on Sunday at MetLife Stadium led to the Eagles’. 20-14 loss.
“I didn’t have to say much,” Eagles’ coach Nick Sirianni said. “I didn’t have to say anything. As soon as we got in (the locker room), our guys talked, and different guys said different things. That’s what you want out of your team. That part was a big positive. They’re holding each other accountable. They’re holding themselves accountable. I’m holding myself accountable. I really didn’t have to say anything. The leaders of the football team did.”
The Eagles were 12-0 as a franchise against the Jets. It looked like that was heading to 13-0 and being the only undefeated team left in the NFL.
Two Jet defenders looked for Dallas Goedert and the pass instead found New York safety Tony Adams with 1:46 left to play.
The Eagles outgained New York by over 100 yards, 348 to 244, and held the Jets to just 2 of 11 on third down conversions and 0 for three in the Red Zone, before Hurts’ third interception.
Without Aaron Rodgers, there were four turnovers and a pass-heavy, one-dimensional offense contributed to this loss-and being shutout in the second half.
The Eagles threw the ball 22 times and threw 45 times.
-The Good-
Lineback/edge rusher Haason Reddick and defensive tackle Milton Williams combining for a six-yard sack with 4:43 to play on a third-and-seven at the Jets’ 35. A.J. Brown’s amazing over-the-shoulder, fourth quarterback catch on third-and-six at the Jets’ 42. Defensive end Josh Sweat’s six-yard sack on a first and-10 at the New York 32, coming with 13:04 left to play- and more importantly the first play.
Hurts’ scramble to get the ball downfield to DeVonta Smith, during the Eagles’ first half defense, they were going against the suddenly acclaimed Zach Wilson, who is often confused with Joe Montana. The Eagles’ mammoth 19-play, 91-yard, 9-minute, 54-second drive to open the game. Reddick and defensive tackle Jordan Davis combining for a one-yard sack on a second-and-12 at the Eagles’ 47 with 9:56 left in the half.
Linebacker Zach Cunningham stopping tight and Tyler Conklin on fourth-and-five at the Eagles’ 40 holding down the Jets a yard short of a first down with 8:32 left in the first half. A.J. Brown’s 49-yard reception on a second-and-nine that brought the ball to the Jets’ three.
D’Andrew Swift’s six catches on seven targets for 35 yards and a touchdown in the first half. Defensive end Brandon Graham and Davis combining for a six-yard sack on a third-and-10 at the Eagles’ 18. Zach Wilson got sacked at the 24 with 3:03 left in the first half. Wilson came up limping, and New York had to settle for a 42-yard field goal.
-The Bad-
Jake Elliott missed a 37-yard field goal that drifted wide right, only his second miss of the season, with 8:13 left to play. With the Eagles’ secondary thinned by injuries there may be a reason why cornerback Kelee Ringo isn’t the regular secondary rotation.
Right guard Sua Opeta got beat inside by Jets’ tackling Quinton Jefferson, and right Jackie Jack Driscoll, replacing the injured Lane Johnson. Devonta Smith drop, which followed an Eagle’s illegal shift penalty. This wasn’t a very good way to start the second half. Tight end Dallas Goedert not being able to hold on to the ball on a screen. Goedert caught a scree, Jermaine Johnson slapped the ball free of Goedert’s hands, the ball bouncing off Goedert’s right thigh and into the hands of Jets’ sterling defensive tackle Quinnen Williams for a strange interception.
-The Ugly-
Hurt’s third interception of the game came with 1:50 to play. He tried to fit the ball between Jet’s linebacker Williams and safety Adams. He looks at Goedert, throwing it to Adams, who stepped up and caught the ball in stride at the Jets’ 46 and returned it to the Eagles’ eight.
With 13:42 left to play, Driscoll getting beat outside by Jermaine Johnson, who grabbed Hurts’ arm while throwing, the result being a Bryce Hall interception at the Jets’ 38.
The Eagles’ getting caught with too many men on the field on a critical third-and-one at the Philadelphia 28 early in the second quart. Linebacker Cunningham should know the personnel packages by now. Right tackle Lane Johnson going down with a right ankle injury after a Swift made a two-yard gain on second-and-one at the Jets’ 48 with 8:26 left in the first quarter. He was then replaced by Jack Driscoll.
Earlier, Jobe had problems with Garrett Wilson, as do many NFL corners, called for a pass interference with :56 left in the first hall at the Eagles’ 27.
