Some Are Painting a Picture of an Eagles Offense Rife with Turmoil While Sputtering. But the Statistics Suggest a Different Story.
Not long after the Eagles completed their 34–28 win over the Minnesota Vikings last week on Thursday Night Football, media coverage began highlighting the AJ Brown and Jalen Hurts “moment” on the Eagles sideline while following a narrative of a dysfunctional Eagles offense. Here are four statistics through two games that suggest that these Eagles are actually a lot better than it may currently seem:
Quarterback #5: No, Donovan McNabb has not returned to the Eagles. According to NFL.com, Jalen Hurts is ranked 5th with 363 yards passing, 72 rush yards, and two touchdowns. Both the Patriots and Vikings did everything possible to shut down the Eagles franchise quarterback who despite a lost second half in week 1 due to difficult Foxborough weather is still currently the 5th ranked signal caller in the NFL.
356: The Eagles are ranked #2 in rushing after two games with 356 rushing yards. The potential of the Jonathon Taylor trade overshadowed all of the talent that the Eagles already have in the running back room starting with Saint Joe’s Prep graduate D’Andre Swift who gashed the Vikings defense for 175 yards. Kenneth Gainwell, Boston Scott, and Rashaad Penny are also contributing with Hurts also being dangerous with his legs.
#11: Not to be confused with AJ Brown. The Eagles offense ranks #11 in total offense after two games. Again, that takes into account a bad weather second half in New England where conditions hampered sustainable drives.
178/108: Despite reports of a family feud and a 29th passing ranking, AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith have a combined 286 yards receiving in two games. The NFL’s top receiving duo remains almost impossible to contain.
While it still remains clear that the Eagles offense needs to find its rhythm in 2023, the numbers still point to one of the top offenses in the NFC that has weapons that are nearly impossible to all contain at once.
And what of the coverage of a regressing Eagles offensive unit?
Don’t believe everything that you read (except for this piece of course.)
