Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts. (Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports)
Watch Jesse Ventura hype up Vikings ahead of MNF matchup vs. Eagles
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts reminded everyone not to doubt him in an MVP-level performance that had the NFL media talking.
Jalen Hurts has been doubted pretty much every step of the way in his football career. On Monday Night Football, he had pretty much everyone believing in him after one half of play.
The Eagles quarterback is no stranger to performing on the national stage and he proved it with an outstanding display in Philadelphia.
He let his Eagles to a 24-7 halftime lead with three touchdowns — two rushing and one passing — while posting 251 yards passing and 50 yards rushing.
NFL media reacts to Jalen Hurts quieting all his doubters on MNF
Twitter overflowed with praise for the quarterback, from Eagles fans eager for the future to media dishing props for the performance.
Best half of Jalen Hurts NFL career. He has been brilliant. First as a passer. Second as a runner.
Sirianni’s offense was tremendous w so many options. Secondary did a tremendous job on Jefferson. #FlyEaglesFly
— Kevin Negandhi (@KevinNegandhi) September 20, 2022
we quite literally got a first round pick for choosing jalen hurts over carson wentz
— . (@rubythevalley) September 20, 2022
Give me Jalen Hurts over Kirk Cousins any day or night.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) September 20, 2022
This is an early-career defining performance for Jalen Hurts. He’s checking all the boxes you need from a franchise QB, against a really talented and dominant defense. #Eagles #NFL
— Matt Lombardo (@MattLombardoNFL) September 20, 2022
Amazing first half from Jalen Hurts man. Development on full display. Not bailing from clean pockets. And absolutely DEALING from the pocket.
— Pierre Baptiste Jr. (@PierreB3_) September 20, 2022
Jalen Hurts is like that, stop doubting him
— Eagles Central (1-0) (@EaglesCentral__) September 20, 2022
Prior to kickoff, Jalen Hurts was 14-1 at @CaesarsSports to win MVP.
At halftime, his odds have moved to 8-1.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) September 20, 2022
Hurts opened the scoring with a three-yard rush in the first quarter then doubled the lead in the second quarter with a 53-yard scoring pass to Quez Watkins. While Kirk Cousins and the Vikings hit back with a touchdown, the Eagles got the last laugh when Hurts carried the ball back into the endzone from 26 yards right before the two-minute warning. He tacked on a field goal drive before the half was over.
In what was surely the best half of his career, Hurts proved that he can effectively lead an offense against a solid NFL defense. He had more passing yards in two quarters against the Vikings than he did in 11 starts in 2021.
Is he truly in the MVP race? It’ll take more time and more similar performances to open the door for that but Philadephia should feel excited about the progress their quarterback continues to make as he settles into the rhythm of being a full-time NFL starter.
