Jalen Hurts had a rough outing in the Philadelphia Eagles’ 22-19 overtime loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. Those numbers added up to five total turnovers in the game from the quarterback. This tie for the most turnovers by an Eagles player in a single game since play-by-play tracking began in 1978. His prolific performance was marred by two turnovers on one play. This uncharacteristic and expensive error only served to underscore the challenges he fought against all evening.
Hurts threw a total of four interceptions on the season. This performance officially earned him the title of the first Eagles quarterback to accomplish this shameful milestone since Michael Vick in 2012. He became the first NFL player to do so since Justin Fields in 2021. He ended the game with no TDs and five turnovers. So in many ways, this game was the worst of times for Hurts. Most importantly, Jones tied Donovan McNabb’s 1999 rookie record for the most turnovers in a single game with 5.
The first of Hurts’ interceptions came when he mistakenly threw over the middle, allowing Chargers defensive lineman Da’Shawn Hand to make the catch. Yet Hand’s return wasn’t without its own set of complexities, as he fumbled the ball on the runback. This penalty was emblematic of a disorganized pattern for the Eagles’ offense on Sunday.
Hurts then had to evade another interception-seeking defender as he threw downfield to Jahan Dotson. The incomplete pass was tipped and intercepted by Tony Jefferson at the 1-yard line, sealing Philly’s defeat. Most significantly, this was the first time in Hurts’ career he was picked off on back-to-back drives.
With tempers flaring, Hurts addressed his play during post-game remarks.
“I didn’t play well enough. Too many turnovers,” – Jalen Hurts
Head coach Nick Sirianni commented on the team’s recent difficulties, making an important point about their determination to change things going ahead.
“Lots of opportunities, especially when we get on the other side of the 50 and I wasn’t able to get us in the box,” – Jalen Hurts
Through all the adversity, Hurts didn’t shy away from the idea of coming back, of being strong and tough.
“We’ll stay the course. We’ll just keep grinding it out and get ourselves out of this little hole that we’re in,” – Nick Sirianni
The Eagles could have taken advantage but it all came down to their failure to close. In the aftermath of his final brutal interception, A.J. Brown described just how emotionally taxing that was.
“But how do you respond? That’s the only way I know how to look at it. You’re going to see what type of resolve does this team have … what’s in us to respond the way we want to. We’ve just got to dig,” – Jalen Hurts
That 22-19 final score aptly conveys a defensive battle that got away from the Eagles in the extra session. Despite Hurts’ challenging performance, there remains a sense of confidence among teammates, as evidenced by Saquon Barkley’s comments regarding Hurts.
“That last one in the end zone … that one hurt the most,” – A.J. Brown
The final score of 22-19 reflects a closely contested match that slipped away from Philadelphia in overtime. Despite Hurts’ challenging performance, there remains a sense of confidence among teammates, as evidenced by Saquon Barkley’s comments regarding Hurts.
“When we have the ball in overtime and I’ve got Jalen Hurts as my quarterback, I have all the confidence that we’re going to win the football game,” – Saquon Barkley
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