On Monday night, the Philadelphia Eagles experienced a disappointing collapse, allowing a potential road victory to slip away against the Seattle Seahawks. Backup quarterback Drew Lock orchestrated a 92-yard drive in the final minute, securing a game-winning score and marking the defending NFC champs’ third consecutive loss.
After the 20-17 defeat, Jalen Hurts, in a subdued manner, highlighted the team’s struggles with execution and questioned the overall commitment of the club, especially as it marked the third consecutive game where the offense failed to reach 20 points.
“I’ve been emphasizing execution all year, being on the same page, everyone being on the same page,” Hurts remarked after Monday’s loss. “We didn’t execute. I don’t think we’re all committed enough. Just have to turn it around. You know, it’s a challenge that we have to embrace. Just continue to see it through.”
When pressed about what he meant by lack of commitment, Hurts replied, “Commitment. I don’t have a dictionary with me now. I don’t know how else to say that.”
Despite Hurts playing coy, his background as the son of a coach and his experience in prominent programs suggest that his words carry a deliberate message, perhaps primarily directed at himself.
“Each person has a role in this situation, and it begins with me,” he asserted. “We need to lift ourselves from this setback. … We must initiate an internal shift in our approach to things and in how we approach our work each day. It begins with the small details—the level of commitment we bring to our tasks. And it all begins with me, as the quarterback. It’s a challenge I’m ready to take on. Despite the difficulties we’re facing, I still see a positive outlook. It’s simply a matter of maintaining belief.”
Hurts faced a challenging performance, limited to 143 passing yards and throwing two interceptions in the fourth quarter, including a risky deep shot on the final possession that could have tied the game with a field goal.
“It’s a matter of being on the same page,” Hurts commented post-game. “It requires everyone to be fully committed in all aspects, and it starts with me. There were multiple opportunities out there. Ultimately, there’s no other way you’d want it. The trust we have in each other, the level of communication among players… We just need to be better; I need to be better. Reduce the mistakes, penalties, and mental errors. Play team football, and it starts with me leading that. We’ve lost games because I can improve. That will change everything, and I accept that.”
“You can point the finger at whatever,” he admitted. “I didn’t do a good enough job.”
Throughout the season, the Eagles have grappled with inconsistency, with the defense faltering one week and the offense sputtering the next. While Nick Sirianni’s team initially made it work, the past three weeks have seen these inconsistencies impact their performance.
Despite the setback, the Eagles still have control over the NFC East, and while the loss affects their chances at the No. 1 seed, they maintain their goals with upcoming games against the New York Giants, Arizona Cardinals, and the Giants again to conclude the season.
