Nick Sirianni of the Eagles sends a strong message in response to Jalen Hurts’ game-winning interception.
The Philadelphia Eagles may have suffered the most unexpected defeat of the Nick Sirianni-Jalen Hurts era.
The Eagles, the NFL’s last unbeaten club, suffered their first defeat of the season in Week 6, falling 20-14 to the New York Jets. Despite turning the ball over four times and forcing zero turnovers on defense, Philadelphia appeared to be in complete control of the game, leading 14-12 with 1:50 remaining.
Jalen Hurts, on the other hand, threw a career-high third interception of the game in the thick of double coverage on a pass intended for tight end Dallas Goedert. Tony Adams of the Jets intercepted the ball at their 46-yard line and returned it to the Eagles’ 8-yard line. One play later, the Jets would score the game-winning touchdown to secure the victory.
Sirianni was candid in his evaluation of Hurts’ third interception, which proved decisive in a defensively dominated game.
“I thought that was the only turnover on him,” Sirianni remarked during the postgame press conference. “In that critical time, we need that back.” He’s going to want it back. That is something we want back. If the play doesn’t work, we first look at ourselves as coaches and ask, ‘Was it the proper play?’ That’s part of being responsible.”
Sirianni also emphasized that the Eagles’ four total turnovers — including D’Andre Swift’s fumble with 1:53 left before halftime, which led in a Jets field goal — will not win the team games.
“Any time you’re minus-4 in the turnovers, you’re not going to win many games,” said Sirianni.
Jalen Hurts Claims the Eagles Gave the Jets ‘Too Many Opportunities’
Hurts agreed that the Eagles gave the Jets too many chances despite their 155 passing yards and 244 overall yards.
“We had so many missed opportunities, so many mistakes, it was almost as if we kind of gave it away,” Hurts remarked after the game. “Give them credit for how hard they played… But I believe we gave them too many chances.”
Despite the humiliating defeat, Hurts stated that he wants to turn this negative into a good as the Philadelphia Eagles prepare to visit the 5-1 Miami Dolphins on Sunday Night Football in Week 7.
“This is an opportunity for us to grow,” said Hurts. “The great ones turn negative situations into positives.”
There’s no denying that Hurts struggled to pass the football throughout the game. He had a season-low passer rating (59.5), quarterback rating (54.3), and completion percentage (62.2%).
Following Lane Johnson’s injury, Jalen Hurts has been heavily pressed.
According to ESPN’s Tim McManus, the absence of right tackle Lane Johnson, who suffered an ankle injury in the first quarter and did not return, likely contributed to the team’s troubles.
“Jalen Hurts was pressured on a season-high 40% of his dropbacks despite being blitzed on a season-low 16% of his dropbacks, per @ESPNStatsInfo,” McManus said on Twitter. “Hurts was pressured 20 times, his most in his last 36 games including playoffs.”
After losing their first regular-season game with Hurts at quarterback since Week 9 of the 2022 season, the Eagles will seek to rebound next week against one of the NFL’s top teams, the Dolphins.
