- Hurts was almost flawless within the NFC Championship recreation: His 91.4 PFF general grade and 91.6 PFF passing grade in opposition to the Commanders had been season-high marks.
- Cash downs did not faze Hurts: On third and fourth downs, Hurts earned a 92.6 PFF passing grade and ceaselessly left the Commanders on the incorrect finish of huge performs.
Estimated Studying Time: 5 minutes
Jalen Hurts was at his greatest within the NFC Championship recreation, clinching one other Tremendous Bowl look for the Philadelphia Eagles. There have been questions on whether or not he may step up and play at a excessive degree whereas coping with a knee damage, and he answered them emphatically by having his greatest efficiency of the season.
Hurts completed with a 91.4 PFF general grade and a 91.6 PFF passing grade — each season highs and convention championship-leading marks. He was almost flawless, carving up the Washington Commanders‘ protection and avoiding turnover-worthy performs whereas taking solely two sacks.
The Eagles’ passing offense had been struggling to push the ball downfield previous to the competition, with Hurts notching just one big-time throw within the earlier eight weeks. On Sunday, he recorded three, placing the Washington protection, which was already struggling to cease the run, in a lose-lose scenario.
Top-of-the-line components about Hurts’ efficiency was that he was taking part in on time and anticipating throws. With a potent speeding assault wreaking havoc and Hurts taking part in with near-perfect timing, Philadelphia’s offense turns into unstoppable.
Good timing, good throw, good catch pic.twitter.com/RSSXfHnTw8
— Nick Akridge (@PFF_NickAkridge) January 28, 2025
This play is only a easy nook/flat idea to each side of the sector. Washington performs Cowl 6, which has a number of names, but it surely’s primarily two coverages break up in half, with one aspect of the sector taking part in Cowl 2 and the opposite aspect taking part in Cowl 4 or Quarters. Hurts picks up on that and is aware of that the Cowl-2 aspect is a way more tough throw with an beneath flat defender within the space. Flipping to the opposite aspect, he acknowledges the physique place of the Washington cornerback, Marshon Lattimore, and is aware of that he will be unable to flip his hips and drive on the out-breaking route. Hurts throws with good timing, and DeVonta Smith makes an awesome catch on the sideline.
The Eagles had been additionally masterful on third and fourth downs. The “tush push” is a giant a part of that, however after they weren’t ready to make use of that play, Hurts stepped up, posting a 92.6 PFF passing grade on these downs — none greater than the throw beneath.
Hurts with an ideal throw on the sidelines pic.twitter.com/M3D1jFDYYJ
— Nick Akridge (@PFF_NickAkridge) January 28, 2025
This was one of many recreation’s largest moments. After the Commanders reduce the result in 2 factors, getting the ball round midfield — if the Eagles had failed on this fourth-down conversion — may have turned the sport on its head.
The pre-snap movement reveals Hurts that the Commanders are taking part in man protection, so the choice is straightforward: Goal AJ Brown. It’s a simple learn for Hurts. The Commanders present stress after which blitz, and he is aware of the ball has to get out of his fingers shortly. Hurts holds the protection along with his eyes after which throws an ideal ball alongside the sideline.
Avoiding sacks has been an issue for Hurts this season. He was charged with the third-most quarterback-faulted sacks and posted a career-high 23.2% pressure-to-sack ratio. Within the NFC Championship recreation, he took solely two sacks, neither of which was labeled because the quarterback’s fault.
Cross falls incomplete however that is an insane throw from Hurts pic.twitter.com/QTrdvncp0B
— Nick Akridge (@PFF_NickAkridge) January 28, 2025
On one other big third down, the Commanders present a zero-blitz pre-snap, that means everyone not taking part in man-to-man protection is blitzing. A uncommon safety bust by the Eagles’ offensive line permits a free Washington rusher by means of the A-gap, at which level it’s all about simply making a play and avoiding catastrophe for Hurts.
He instantly will get out of the pocket however retains his eyes downfield and throws an ideal move that falls incomplete. The Commanders are flagged for move interference, although, inserting the ball on the 1-yard line. Hurts’ potential to get out of the pocket and keep away from the sack is the explanation they transformed the third down and finally scored a landing.
When the Commanders weren’t taking part in man protection, the Eagles’ offense nonetheless had all of the solutions.
I like the way in which the Eagles get to put up/wheel right here and put the surface nook in battle pic.twitter.com/3AgbdqyWwC
— Nick Akridge (@PFF_NickAkridge) January 28, 2025
The pre-snap movement is an indicator for Hurts that the Commanders are seemingly taking part in zone protection, and with there being just one deep security, it is seemingly Cowl 3. However the Commanders wish to play Cowl 3 whereas nonetheless speeding 5 defenders, whereas it is usually three defenders deep, 4 beneath and 4 speeding. That places protection gamers in tough spots if the move rush can’t get residence.
The Eagles run a put up/wheel idea, seeking to trigger battle between the flat participant beneath and the cornerback to the highest of the display. It’s a intelligent strategy to get to it, with the inline tight finish operating the wheel. The cornerback on the prime of the display ought to have the ability to move off the put up to the protection and take the wheel route, however as a result of the wheel is coming from an inline tight finish, he doesn’t count on it and Hurts throws the ball on time and precisely for an enormous acquire.
The Eagles’ speeding assault makes their offense powerful to cease as is, however if you add in Jalen Hurts taking part in at this degree with such a effectivity, you get 55 factors in a convention championship recreation. Hurts must play at an identical degree to win his first Tremendous Bowl and forestall the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs from a three-peat.
