NFL Analyst Makes Massive Prediction For Eagles’ Jalen Hurts

Jalen Hurts and the Philadelphia Eagles could be poised to have a big bounceback 2024 season after falling apart at the seams down the stretch last season.

Although they were the defending NFC champs in 2023 and, in the minds of plenty, the favorites to win the Super Bowl championship, the Eagles lost five of their last six regular season games thus past year and then got routed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the Wild Card Round of the playoffs.

This offseason, they added star running back Saquon Barkley, and they drafted a pair of intriguing defensive backs in Cooper DeJean and Quinyon Mitchell.

But ultimately, how far the Eagles soar, especially come playoff time, will rest on the shoulders of Hurts.

While the quarterback finished second in the MVP balloting in 2022, his production fell a tad in 2023. Alex Ballentine of Bleacher Report feels Hurts will be a true MVP candidate once again this fall and winter.

“Jalen Hurts 2023 season was disappointing,” wrote Ballentine. “He was still voted into the Pro Bowl, but he was not nearly as efficient or productive as he was in 2022 when he was the MVP runner-up.

“Was that 2022 season an aberration? Is 2023 a more true indication of who Hurts is as a quarterback?

“Those are the kind of questions he’s going to face this season. His passer rating dropped more than 12 points. His QBR dropped from 68.3 (fourth in the league) to 60.1 (12th).”

Ballentine pointed out a key weakness that hindered Hurts and Philly’s offense last year.

“It’s been well-documented at this point that Hurts and the Eagles struggled against the blitz for much of the season. That came to a head in the playoff game where Hurts was under pressure in under 2.5 seconds 13 times, according to Next Gen Stats .

“… That’s partially on Hurts, but it’s also on coaching. There has to be more answers available to Hurts to combat that kind of quick pressure.

“Those are the kind of fixes that a good relationship between new offensive coordinator Kellen Moore and Hurts can help bring.”

The Eagles’ offensive line needs to do a better job protecting Jalen Hurts

Hurts got sacked 36 times last season, which isn’t a monstrous figure. But he threw just one touchdown pass in that playoff game versus Tampa Bay. Even worse, he had just five rushing yards after posting 605 rushing yards and 15 rushing touchdowns during the regular season.

The Eagles have had one of the better offensive lines over the last couple of years, and even with future Hall of Fame center Jason Kelce retiring, they still seem to have the talent there to protect Hurts. But Hurts must be given protection and time when it matters most if they are to get to the mountaintop.

Hurts has overcome challenges and doubters multiple times in his football career. He must do so again, but it seems he has the tools and support to do just that.

Want the latest NFL analysis, breaking news, and insider information? Click here . Interested in reading storylines and analysis about the NBA? Check out our partner NBA Analysis Network .

The post NFL Analyst Makes Massive Prediction For Eagles’ Jalen Hurts appeared first on NFL Analysis Network .