Eagles’ Tremendous Bowl-bound Hurts nonetheless attempting to quiet haters

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Nick Sirianni and his children made snow angels within the confetti on the Linc turf. Jalen Hurts puffed on a cigar alone at his locker and scrolled by means of the congratulatory texts on his cellphone.

Out within the Philly streets, delirious followers refused to let grease gradual them down as they slithered towards the highest of road poles.

Everybody celebrates a Tremendous Bowl journey in their very own method.

Traditionally, these don’t come round fairly often in Philly. This makes two Tremendous Bowls in six years for the franchise, which represents half of its profession whole. Proprietor Jeffrey Lurie has employed three straight coaches who’ve made it to the championship — Andy Reid, Doug Pederson and now Sirianni.

Even higher for the Eagles, they drafted the best quarterback.

Hurts seemingly has all of it. He tied a workforce file for whole touchdowns. Was named an MVP finalist. Went 16-1 as a starter, together with the playoffs. Has been closely touted as the kind of quarterback that may carry a franchise for a decade.

But it’s not sufficient.

Hurts made certain to name out his perceived haters within the moments after he scored a dashing landing and led the Eagles to a 31-7 win over the San Francisco 49ers in Sunday’s NFC title recreation.

Who knew? Hurts was a 2023 model of Ben Simmons that nobody in Philly wished.

“My first 12 months right here (individuals) in all probability didn’t even wish to draft me right here,” Hurts stated. “It was in all probability a type of issues. However it at all times handles itself.”

Let’s take a look at the details: Hurts was drafted in 2020 within the second spherical — after a stellar collegiate profession by which he was a Heisman Trophy runner-up — largely to problem incumbent Carson Wentz. Hurts was named the starter below former coach Pederson in Week 14 of his rookie 12 months and has by no means actually regarded again. He rebounded from a 2-5 begin and led the Eagles to the playoffs in Sirianni’s first season. In his second season as a starter, the Eagles have gone wire-to-wire as the perfect workforce within the NFC.

So who didn’t need Hurts right here? He wouldn’t elaborate.

“It was a giant shock to many,” Hurts stated cryptically. “My favourite (Bible) verse, I went by means of a whole lot of stuff in faculty and it sort of caught with me, John 13:7: ‘Chances are you’ll not know now however later you’ll perceive.’ Hopefully individuals perceive.”

There are clues in Hurts’ biography that may clarify what he meant. At Alabama, he was benched within the nationwide title recreation for Tua Tagovailoa and in the end transferred to Oklahoma for his senior season. He wasn’t thought of a can’t-miss NFL prospect and heading into this season, there have been questions on whether or not he might thrive as a pocket passer.

Hurts appeared to reply these questions. However he probably hasn’t forgotten them.

Eagles followers are certain to excuse no matter Hurts is working by means of so long as he leads them to their second Tremendous Bowl championship in six years.

The Eagles have made three of their 4 Tremendous Bowl appearances since 2000 and there’s a well-known mustache on the opposing sideline in Reid. Reid is on the brief listing — if not No. 1 — of the best coaches in Eagles historical past. He turned the Eagles into winners in his second season and received extra video games than any coach in franchise historical past, however was 1-4 in NFC championship video games. He was fired after 14 seasons and instantly landed in Kansas Metropolis, the place he has received a Tremendous Bowl and misplaced one other.

Hurts vs. Patrick Mahomes is a QB matchup for the ages. And the primary between two Black quarterbacks in Tremendous Bowl historical past.

Ought to Hurts win this one, possibly individuals will perceive.

WHAT’S WORKING

Hurts had a modest recreation by his requirements. He was 15-of-25 passing for 121 yards and ran for 39. That opened the door for the working recreation to take management. Miles Sanders and Kenneth Gainwell didn’t put up monster numbers, however they chewed up pivotal yards on scoring drives and helped the Eagles discover the top zone. Sanders scored two touchdowns. Boston Scott scored one.

The Eagles love to make use of their backs on the objective line and the trio’s propensity to seek out the top zone might derail the Chiefs.

WHAT’S NOT

The Eagles did their job battering San Francisco QBs Brock Purdy and Josh Johnson, nevertheless it’s not just like the offense dazzled exterior of the working backs contained in the 20. Gainwell led the workforce with 48 yards dashing and DeVonta Smith led with 36 yards receiving. These gamers have put up related numbers in 1 / 4 this season. With out extra explosive performs, the Eagles may very well be doomed in Glendale, Arizona.

STOCK UP

The hometown(-ish) child makes good. Haason Reddick pressured a fumble and injured Purdy on San Francisco’s first drive of the sport. He additionally recovered a fumble and had two sacks. Reddick now has 3 1/2 sacks this postseason, that are probably the most by an Eagle throughout a single playoff run. Reddick has 19 1/2 sacks in 19 video games this season (together with playoffs). Who needs to wager that the New Jersey native and former Temple standout can get a couple of extra in opposition to the gimpy Mahomes?

STOCK DOWN

The Eagles would possibly wish to punt on utilizing Brett Kern within the Tremendous Bowl. Kern was a catastrophe once more in opposition to the 49ers, with a shanked punt and a line drive into the top zone. He tried to argue the shank hit a TV digicam wire however that argument went nowhere. Punter Arryn Siposs has been sidelined since mid-December with an ankle damage and stays hopeful he might return for the Tremendous Bowl.

KEY NUMBER

4 — The Eagles are the fourth workforce to achieve three Tremendous Bowls since 2004, becoming a member of New England (seven), Pittsburgh (three) and Seattle (three). The Eagles are additionally the fourth franchise to seem in a number of Tremendous Bowls since 2017, becoming a member of Kansas Metropolis (three), the Los Angeles Rams (two) and New England (two) in that span. The Eagles are additionally of their fourth Tremendous Bowl in franchise historical past.

NEXT STEPS

Put together to face the Chiefs.

___

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL

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