Eagles ‘Water’ Their Passing Game, Silence Critics with Dominant Win Over Steelers
PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia Eagles are flying high once again, and this time, they’re doing it with a passing game that finally looks as sharp as their record. Quarterback Jalen Hurts revealed after Sunday’s game that he’s been playing through a broken finger on his non-throwing hand. While the injury did affect him, it didn’t stop him from leading the Eagles to a convincing 27-13 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, marking the team’s franchise-record 10th consecutive victory.
“So that’s what you all wanted to see, huh?” Hurts quipped as he sat down for his postgame press conference. And yes, it was exactly what Eagles fans—and his teammates—needed to see.
Receivers Speak Out, Passing Game Steps Up
Last week, the Eagles’ passing game was under fire after a narrow win over the Carolina Panthers in which Hurts threw for just 108 yards. It was the third straight game he failed to eclipse 180 yards, and frustration was bubbling over. Star wide receiver A.J. Brown didn’t hold back, calling out the offense’s struggles and pointing to “passing” as the main issue. He also noted a lack of sideline communication with Hurts during the game, comments that sparked a media frenzy.
Things escalated when veteran defensive end Brandon Graham claimed that Hurts and Brown were no longer as close as they once were. That statement set off a whirlwind of speculation, with headlines questioning the chemistry between the Eagles’ quarterback and his top target. By midweek, both Hurts and Brown had to publicly address the situation, assuring everyone that they were on the same page and that Graham had misspoken.
“We did let the team know that we’re on the same page and nothing’s wrong or anything like that,” Brown said, putting the rumors to rest. But inside the Eagles’ practice facility, the tension was real. Wide receiver DeVonta Smith described the week as full of “tough” and “uncomfortable” conversations. Brown added that extra meetings with players and coaches focused on improving communication and attention to detail in the passing game.
Record-Breaking Performance
All that hard work paid off on Sunday. Hurts delivered one of his most efficient performances of the season, completing 25 of 32 passes for 290 yards and two touchdowns. Both Brown and Smith went over 100 receiving yards, marking the fourth time they’ve accomplished that feat together. That’s now the most such games by a duo in Eagles history.
“The approach was a little different this week,” Hurts said. “The grass will be green where you water it, and we decided to water [the pass game], and you kind of saw the fruits of our labor in that.”
Hurts and Brown connected for a 5-yard touchdown late in the first quarter, giving the Eagles a 10-3 lead. The duo celebrated with a choreographed dance that sent a clear message to their critics.
“That was our moment to tell everybody to shut up,” Brown said bluntly.
Playing Through Pain
Hurts’ broken ring finger on his left hand, which he injured last week against the Panthers, didn’t seem to slow him down much. He wore a glove on his left hand during the game, an unusual move for him, and while he did lose a fumble when T.J. Watt punched the ball out in the first quarter, he otherwise played a clean game.
“I can say I don’t think it got any worse today,” Hurts said of the injury. “If it’s shattered, it’s shattered. It is what it is.”
Eyes on the Prize
With the win, the Eagles improved to 12-2 and moved into a virtual tie with the Detroit Lions for the top seed in the NFC after the Lions fell to the Buffalo Bills. The defense continued to exceed expectations, holding Saquon Barkley to just 65 yards on 19 carries, while the offense proved it can win in multiple ways.
For Brown, Smith, and Hurts, the focus remains on the ultimate goal: a championship. “We know what the end goal is, especially me, DeVonta, and Jalen,” Brown said. “We’re trying to get to the end and we’re trying to finish. It’s good we won 10 games, but we’re not satisfied with that, honestly. In our minds, we haven’t done nothing. That’s our mindset.”
Brown added that the team’s close bond makes it easier to have tough conversations and hold each other accountable. “It makes it easier when we’re close,” he said.
Key Takeaways
- Jalen Hurts played through a broken finger on his non-throwing hand, completing 25 of 32 passes for 290 yards and two touchdowns.
- A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith both surpassed 100 receiving yards, setting a new Eagles record for most such games by a duo.
- The Eagles extended their winning streak to 10 games, improving to 12-2 and tying the Detroit Lions for the NFC’s top seed.
With the drama of the past week behind them, the Eagles look poised to continue their march toward the postseason. And if Sunday’s performance is any indication, their passing game is ready to soar.
Originally Written by: Tim McManus
