The Philadelphia Eagles were defeated by the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl 57. The Eagles gave a valiant fight, but in the end, they came up just short. Despite the loss, there are still reasons to be optimistic about the future of the franchise. First and foremost is Jalen Hurts.
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Jalen Hurts proved his worth on Sunday
Even though the game ended in heartbreak, Hurts was a force to be reckoned with all day. At the end of the game, he threw for 307 yards, ran for another 70, and totaled 4 touchdowns. He was masterful and was arguably the best player on the field Sunday. It was the best performance of his career on the biggest stage. He made 1 mistake all game with the lost fumble but did more than enough to make up for that on the offensive end.
While his performance will be overlooked because of the result, he should still be recognized for how well he played. He broke the record for most rushing yards by a quarterback in the Super Bowl. Previously it was set by Steve McNair in Super Bowl 34, with 64. He also tied Terrell Davis for most rushing touchdowns in a Super Bowl with 3 and set the record for most by a quarterback. Along with his 2-point conversion, he tied the record for most points scored by a single player in a Super Bowl, with 20.
Beyond the numbers, Jalen Hurts seemed to have total control of the offense. He ran the ball early and that opened up the Chiefs’ defense enough for him to pass at will. He dropped dimes to Brown, Smith, and Goedert and kept the offense moving forwards at all times. The fumble was crucial, but afterward, the Eagles went right back to him and he scored his second rushing touchdown.
Jalen Hurts had in his veins in Super Bowl LVII
On the Eagles’ final drive when they were down by 8 and needed to score, he didn’t throw an incompletion and accounted for 66 of their 75 yards. I don’t like to look at what-if scenarios but based on how the game was going, I believe he would have tied the time if given just a little more time.
While I’m hesitant to say the Eagles will definitely be back in the Super Bowl next year, I think that the future is in good hands. The most significant development of the 2022 season is the Eagles have finally nailed down a franchise quarterback. After having drama at that position for the better part of a decade, it seems they’ve found some long-term stability. Jalen Hurts is a cornerstone to build around, and with his attitude and winning mentality, the Eagles will be in good shape as long he’s around.
AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vasquez
