It is not often that a two-game losing streak cements a player’s status as the MVP of the league. When those two defeats double a team’s losses for the entire season and the straightforward reason they lose is that their star is missing, however, that star’s position in the MVP discussion is increased. That is exactly the case in Philadelphia right now, where the Eagles are doing an outstanding job of showing that Jalen Hurts MVP status is no longer in question.
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Jalen Hurts MVP
The argument against Hurts for most of the NFL season is that anyone could be quarterbacking this Philadelphia Eagles team to victories. They point out their threats in the passing game with wide receivers such as A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith. They also note the stellar defense built in Philly, which they claim carries Hurts to many of his victories.
Hurts was injured in the 25-20 win over the Chicago Bears on December 18. He managed to power through the pain in that game – leading Philly to a win – but then had to sit for the games against the Cowboys in Dallas on Christmas Eve and the home game with the New Orleans Saints on New Year’s Day.
Gardener Minshew is far from the worst backup quarterback in the league, but Minshew has been unable to get it done. The defeat against the Cowboys was a 4-34 ding-dong affair, but the Eagles were depressingly off the pace yesterday against a New Orleans Saints squad that is under .500 on the year.
Minshew had a 50% completion percentage with 274 yards passing with a touchdown and a pick. However, he cannot run the ball like Hurts, and he had just one carry on the day for zero yards. It is that spark, that difference-making ability that Hurts has that Minshew does not.
The Eagles need Hurts back for the playoffs. Once seemingly the nailed-on No. 1 seed in the NFC, there is a realistic scenario that could have the Eagles plummeting to the No. 5 seed in the playoffs if results don’t go their way in Week 18. Dallas would win the division if the Eagles fail to beat the New York Giants and the Cowboys beat the Washington Commanders. They could also slip to the No. 2 seed should they and the Cowboys both lose while the San Francisco 49ers (winners of nine straight) beat the Arizona Cardinals.
The best way to avoid all this is to win. Hurts is expected to play per a CBS Sports report, which would be huge given how the last two weeks have gone. If Hurts does come back from the injured shoulder and has an outstanding game in an Eagles win, then his MVP support should go through the roof.
Always remember folks to bleed Eagles’ green, and Fly Hurts Fly!
