The Pressure Hurts

As the 2022 NFL season inches closer, many fans and analysts will begin making their early predictions for playoff contenders, division winners, and teams that could head to the Super Bowl.

While the AFC is loaded with teams that could be a part of the conversation, the NFC is in a position where there aren’t many sure-fire contenders outside of the Los Angeles Rams and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. With that, the Philadelphia Eagles have the chance to establish themselves as one of the better teams in that conference.

But that all depends on Jalen Hurts.

Hurts ended his second season in the NFL with 3,144 passing yards, 16 touchdowns, and nine interceptions. He led all quarterbacks in rushing attempts (139), yards (784), and touchdowns (10). While the athleticism and talent are certainly present with Hurts, the inaccuracy was prevalent throughout the season. However, head coach Nick Sirianni praised Hurts in the Eagles’ practice on Tuesday. 

“I’m noticing a big difference,” Sirianni said. “What I see is a crisper ball. The accuracy, I’ve been very pleased with. You can just see him taking strides every single day with his accuracy because of the fundamentals he has with his feet and his upper body.” 

Philly fans are hoping that this is true. The expectations for the team this year are high, as well as the standards for Hurts.

The Eagles have a team that is built for Super Bowl contention. James Bradberry was added as the number two cornerback alongside Darius Slay. Considering Slay’s electric year last season, the addition of Bradberry has the potential to make the Eagles’ secondary even deadlier. Additionally, Haason Reddick was added to bolster their pass rush, which was second to last in sacks in 2021. 

The Eagles had the best run game in the league last season, and that was with them not even really toting the rock until halfway through the year. A.J. Brown was also acquired in the offseason, giving the Philadelphia offense another weapon.

James bradberry - cornerback

47 TOTAL TACKLES (37 SOLO)

4 INTERCEPTIONS

17 PASSES DEFLECTED

75.8 PASSER RATING ALLOWED

haason reddick - outside linebacker

68 TOTAL TACKLES (37 SOLO)

11 SACKS

2 FORCED FUMBLES (1 RECOVERED)

A.J. Brown - Wide receiver

63 RECEPTIONS

869 YARDS

5 TOUCHDOWNS

The main X-factor is Hurts, and that’s why the pressure is on him this season.

In the NFL, teams never know when they are going to have another chance to strike. That’s why many organizations are starting to go all-in for a chance at the big game, instead of playing the long game and developing players.

As seen in the last two years, the Rams and Buccaneers replaced their quarterbacks to go the distance and saw immediate success. Other teams like the Cleveland Browns and Denver Broncos have followed suit, trading large capital for top-tier signal-callers.

If Hurts underperforms this season, Philadelphia may be in the same position at the end of the year.