The Eagles earned their ninth win in a row by defeating the Carolina Panthers 22-16 Sunday, although there was still some frustration after the game.
Saquon Barkley and Jalen Hurts both had big days on the ground, but the passing game really struggled. Hurts threw for just 108 yards in the win. A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith — two of the league's best wide receivers — combined for eight catches and 80 yards.
Brown specifically showed frustration after the game, giving short, but candid responses when asked about the offense:
AJ Brown on what the Eagles offense needs to improve on:
“Passing”
Video: @EliotShorrParks
pic.twitter.com/8rjYZGWC6H
Hurts threw two touchdown passes Sunday, neither of which went to Brown. Both, though, probably could have.
On second-and-goal late in the second quarter, Hurts connected with DeVonta Smith for a four-yard touchdown pass:
Jalen Hurts connects with DeVonta Smith. Birds up 14-10 🦅
pic.twitter.com/OZkix5H1Hz
Brown did appear to be open on the slant before Hurts threw to Smith. It's possible Hurts thought if he made this pass to Brown, Xavier Woods would either pick it off and/or take Brown's head off:
Then on third-and-goal in the fourth quarter, Hurts fired a go-ahead touchdown pass to Grant Calcaterra:
Grant Calcaterra’s first career TD ✅
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Brown was again open in an almost identical spot, but by the time he came out of his break Hurts was no longer looking in his direction:
There's a few things at play here.
First of all, it was just a bad day throwing the ball for Hurts, as PHLY's Fran Duffy pointed out:
Jalen Hurts - per @NextGenStats:
4 sacks on 9 pressures - 3.29 average time to pressure was slowest in league this week so far
3.47 Average Time to Throw - slowest of season for him
5.1 yards/attempt - lowest of season
5.6 air yards/attempt - lowest of season
Secondly, as much as everyone on the offense might realize that something special is happening with Barkley and that leaning on him is their best path towards winning, Brown and Smith's numbers are going to take a hit if the Eagles aren't throwing the ball as much. Hurts is averaging 23.4 pass attempts per game this season. He averaged 31.6 a year ago, so there are less targets to go around right now. Brown may know that approach is what's best for the team, but that means there's more pressure on Hurts to find him when the Eagles do drop back and he's open.
Finally, you do wonder if Barkley's incredible season has covered up a lack of creativity and cohesion in the passing offense of Kellen Moore. It feels like every game the Eagles are reliant on Barkley rushing for 75+ yards in the second half to win. What happens if Barkley is held to 70 rushing yards in a playoff game? Will the Eagles be able to win a game against the Detroit Lions or Minnesota Vikings through the air? It's hard to be certain right now.
