For his entire career, Jalen Hurts has had a good supporting cast. Hurts has uplifted the supporting cast, leading them to a Super Bowl appearance, and earning himself a massive contract. However, he has rarely had to lead an outgunned team to victory, thanks to General Manager Howie Roseman’s roster building. He will have to do that this week due to a myriad of injuries to key Eagles. Jalen Hurts will likely have to find a way to win without his top two receivers and his most reliable offensive lineman. With these players down, Hurts and running back Saquon Barkley will have to pick up the slack. This is a game the Eagles will want badly after the Tampa Bay Buccaneers humiliated them in the playoffs last year. To get the win, Hurts and Barkley will need to carry a beat-up offense.
Pressure On Jalen Hurts to Overcome Eagles Injuries
Hurts Leads the Way
Jalen Hurts needs to step up his game for the Eagles to get the win in Tampa. However, without his top two weapons on the outside, he will need to adapt. Tight end Dallas Goedert needs to continue to be a point of emphasis in the offense after a big game last week. Hurts will also need to utilize Saquon Barkley in the passing game. Barkley was a major receiving threat early in his career but has been more of a runner the last few years. Without Brown or Smith, Offensive Coordinator Kellen Moore will need to find creative ways to scheme players open in the passing game.
One way to do that is to use play action and motion. Last season the Eagles were dead last in using motion. They also rarely had Jalen Hurts under center. Kellen Moore has done more of both, but he will have to lean into it even more this week. With injuries likely taking away their top two receivers, the Eagles offense needs to revolve around play action and the running game. Hurts will also need to protect the football. His turnover woes have been highly documented, and have remained to start this season. He will need to protect the ball to give the offense a chance.
Run the Ball
In 2022, the Eagles were a run-first team, and it led to a lot of success. When they got away from that in 2023, they struggled. Without Smith and Brown, the Eagles will be forced to embrace the run again. They have the best running back they have had in years, as well as a mobile quarterback. Jalen Hurts will have to be a big part of the running game as well. He did not run as much in 2023 after nagging injuries, but now that he is healthy, he needs to use his legs. It is one of the strengths of his game and something the defense needs to respect for him to be at his best.
To get the win in Tampa, the Eagles need to control the clock and lean on the Buccaneers defense in the run game. However, Jalen Hurts will also need to make big throws to keep Tampa Bay’s defense from loading the box. Look for rookie receiver Johnny Wilson to step up as an option for Hurts, especially in the red zone. With Hurts making over $50 million a year, he will need to lift a beat-up offense. These are the types of games Hurts is paid to win.
Main Photo: Eric Hartline – USA Today Sports
