Eagles, Hurts dominate Commanders
LANDOVER, Md. – Entering the 2022 season, the Philadelphia Eagles were the favorite to win the NFC East.
Nobody who watched their first three games would dispute those prognostications, but perhaps they are destined for much more.
The Eagles dominated the Washington Commanders 24-8 on Sunday, turning FedExField into “The Linc” South – the lower bowl almost exclusively filled by Philadelphia green and black.
A dominant second quarter, in which they scored all 24 points, allowed the Eagles to play the second half on cruise control. At halftime they had 322 total yards compared to the Commanders’ 50. They are now 3-0 and showing few weaknesses.
Here are three reasons why the Eagles are currently the class of their conference.
(Jalen) Hurts so good
Quarterback Jalen Hurts (22-for-35, 340 yards, three touchdowns) had another prolific game. The offensive line helped the second-year starter feel the pocket without much pressure, and Hurts began picking apart the Washington defense for chunk plays.
Hurts didn’t do much with his legs Sunday (nine carries, 20 yards). The threat of him taking off makes any play a run-pass option, Commanders coach Ron Rivera said earlier in the week. And the Commanders had little answer for him.
Hurts has touch on his deep balls and coach Nick Sirianni is giving him all the tools to make the right reads. Of course, Hurts could not have this type of success without weapons. And he has two of the best in the NFL right now at wide receiver.
Beast WR duo
The emergence of a second-year wideout and former Heisman Trophy winner Devonta Smith would be a boon for any offense.
Trade for and extend another dynamic receiver, A.J. Brown, and the Eagles had all the makings of an elite duo at wideout.
Smith (eight catches, 169 yards) was arguably the best player on the field Sunday, making at least three catches with a high degree of difficulty. His third, a 2-yard touchdown, put an exclamation point on the first half as time expired. Brown had a touchdown and 85 yards on five catches.
Brown immediately made his presence in Philadelphia known with a dominant Week 1 (10 catches, 155 yards). Smith didn’t have any catches that day but has made up with it the last two weeks.
Defensive pass rush
Just ask former Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz. The Eagles sacked him nine times and the defense held the Commanders to a touchdown with 1:55 remaining.
The Lions hung 35 points on them during Week 1, but the Philadelphia defense has bounced back with stout performances against the Minnesota Vikings and Commanders in back-to-back weeks.