Jalen Hurts

Jalen Hurts doesn't have many fans in Philadelphia right now after an ugly performance in Sunday's 31-15 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but Eagles coach Nick Sirianni is backing his young quarterback.

"He didn't play his best game, as we all know. But you don't take the body of work that he had, 15 weeks, and ... put everything on this game," Sirianni told reporters Sunday. "I know we're all judged on the last game that we played, I fully get that, but I felt like Jalen grew throughout the year. And he got better as a passer, he got better reading the defense, getting the ball to the right place. He developed so much in his ability to extend plays, not only making plays with his feet but also making plays downfield on the scramble.

"I feel really good with what we have in place right here at the quarterback position. I thought he had a great year and he came a long way, and that's what I expect of Jalen just because of the character he has, the toughness he has, the love for football he has. I can't say enough things about Jalen the person and the player."

Hurts threw for 258 yards and one touchdown against two interceptions, seeming rattled for most of the game before finally hitting Kenneth Gainwell on a 16-yard touchdown pass in garbage time.

The Eagles were never competitive in the contest, with the Bucs scoring on their opening drive on their way to a convincing victory. Tom Brady threw for 271 yards and two touchdowns, with Mike Evans hauling in nine passes for 117 yards and a score.

Hurts was done no favors by a stagnant running game. A returning Miles Sanders managed just 16 yards on seven carries, while Hurts led the team with 39 rushing yards. The Eagles closed the regular season with wins in six of their last eight games on the back of a strong ground game that limited the amount of responsibility Hurts had through the air.

"This game does not define us, does not define who we are," Hurts said. "We know all of the different things we have overcome, we know the environment that we've built as a football team and an organization. ... I know as a football team, we'll be back. And this is a feeling that will kind of simmer in our hearts and simmer for us all. And with the youth on this football team, we're definitely coming back hungry."

The Eagles were not expected to make the playoffs this season and will have three first-round picks to help bolster their roster in April. While it's still not entirely clear whether Hurts is a strong enough passer to develop into a franchise quarterback, the team can likely pass on the position and move into 2022 with Hurts and Gardner Minshew leading the way. 

Jalen Hurts and the Philadelphia Eagles lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 31-15 on Sunday in the NFC Wild Card Round at Raymond James Stadium, but the quarterback knows his squad will be back and better in 2022.

"This game doesn't define us. We'll be back," Hurts told reporters after the loss. "This feeling will simmer in our hearts."

The Eagles were outplayed across the board Saturday. The Buccaneers defense held Hurts to just 258 yards and one touchdown passing, in addition to 39 yards on the ground. In addition, the first-year starter tossed two interceptions in the loss.

Philadelphia had been lauded for its rushing offense throughout the 2021 campaign, having entered the postseason averaging 159.7 yards per game on the ground, which ranked first in the NFL. However, the Eagles were held to just 95 yards and one rushing touchdown against the Bucs.

The Birds hadn't been held to under 100 rushing yards in a game since a Week 5 win over the Carolina Panthers.

The Philadelphia defense also could've been better, as it allowed Tom Brady and Co. to rack up 349 total yards. The Eagles also did not force a turnover, while they gave up three.

Despite the playoff loss, the Eagles have a lot to look forward to. They made progress in 2021, finishing the regular season with a 9-8 record after going 4-11-1 last season.

Philadelphia should also be pleased with the progress Hurts has made. The 23-year-old took over as the Eagles' starter as a rookie last season, replacing Carson Wentz, who was eventually traded to the Indianapolis Colts.

And while there are questions about whether Hurts can be the team's franchise quarterback, he has at least done enough to begin the 2022 season as Philly's starter. He finished the regular season having completed 61.3 percent of his passes for 3,144 yards, 16 touchdowns and nine interceptions, in addition to rushing for 784 yards and 10 scores.

After Saturday's loss, even Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni acknowledged the progress Hurts made this year, saying he feels good about the quarterback position moving forward.

"I feel really good with what we have in place here at the quarterback position. He had a great year. I'm really pleased with how he came along this year," Sirianni told reporters.

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts spoke to reporters in a walking boot on his left leg after the team's 31-15 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday.

The 23-year-old took over as the team's starting quarterback last season down the stretch as a rookie, replacing the beleaguered Carson Wentz, who was then traded to the Indianapolis Colts in the offseason.

Hurts also started the first 12 games for the Eagles this year before a left ankle injury kept him out of a Week 13 matchup with the New York Jets. 

The Houston native has generally played well when healthy, throwing for 3,144 yards, 16 touchdowns and nine interceptions during the regular season while completing 61.3 percent of his passes. While those numbers may not leap off the page, he's also rushed for 784 yards and 10 scores, providing a dual threat that has proved difficult for defenses to slow down. 

The question in Philadelphia is whether Hurts is the future of the franchise at quarterback—or if he's a solid player who can execute a run-heavy scheme that features his strengths but will struggle to make the tight-window throws that separate great QBs from average ones. 

If it's the latter, the Eagles have three first-round picks in the 2022 draft, giving them the ammunition to either trade up for a prospect they like or trade for a more established veteran. 

Hurts has probably done enough to buy himself at least another season at the helm, even after a disappointing show against the Bucs, and the Eagles could use those picks to address other major needs on the roster, namely on the defensive side of the ball. For a team transitioning to a younger roster built around players such as DeVonta Smith and Dallas Goedert, it's the biggest decision it faces moving forward. 

Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are one step closer to defending their Super Bowl title. 

The Bucs handled the Philadelphia Eagles without much drama Sunday, beating them 31-15 behind an efficient Brady performance and a stout defense that held the league's top rushing attack to just 95 yards on the ground.

Instead, it was a Bucs team without Leonard Fournette available because of injury that found success on the ground in the wild-card matchup. 

Of course, Brady had his fun, too:

It isn't truly an NFL postseason until Rob Gronkowski finds the end zone. 

The game wasn't without its concerns for the Bucs, however, after starting tackle Tristan Wirfs (ankle) was injured during the game and ruled out. Starting center Ryan Jensen and backup tackle Mike Wells also suffered injuries, though both were able to continue.

But the health of the offensive line will be a major storyline for the team going forward.

Key Stats

Tom Brady, TB: 29-of-37 for 271 yards and two scores

Mike Evans, TB: Nine catches for 117 yards and a touchdown

Mike Edwards, TB: Nine tackles

Jalen Hurts, PHI: 23-of-43 for 258 yards, a touchdown and interception; 39 rushing yards

Dallas Goedert, PHI: Six catches for 92 yards

DeVonta Smith, PHI: Four catches for 60 yards

The Bucs Defense Came Out Buzzing

The Bucs defense was as healthy as it's been in quite some time, and it showed Sunday. Lavonte David and Shaquil Barrett returned to the starting lineup and contributed in a major way, helping lead a stout run defense. 

Brady and the team's offense receive the bulk of the headlines, but Tampa's excellent defense a year ago was just as much a contributing factor in its title run. As that defense gets closer to full strength—cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting ran on the field before the game but wasn't quite ready to return from his hamstring injury—the Bucs' title hopes only improve. 

Ignore the two touchdowns they gave up in garbage time—they had Hurts seeing ghosts Sunday. While they'll face a more experienced quarterback in their next matchup, this defense rounding back into form is a scary sign for the rest of the NFC.

Jalen Hurts Was Poor

Yes, the Bucs defense was good Sunday. But Hurts didn't do his team any favors. 

The second-year quarterback had a game to forget. He turned the ball over twice. He overthrew open receivers or didn't see them at all. He looked rushed in the pocket. 

The Eagles offense transitioned into a run-heavy attack to get the most out of Hurts' strengths this season, and the Bucs shut that down. Facing a deficit, the Eagles had to become more predictable and throw the ball consistently.  

But there were plenty of plays that Hurts left on the field. He didn't look ready for this moment.

In the season-long debate about whether Hurts can be the franchise quarterback of the future, his detractors were given a juicy slice of evidence to use against him. The Eagles face an interesting decision in the offseason. 

What's Next?

The Bucs are off to the NFC Divisional Round, with their opponent to be determined. Tampa will face the top remaining seed between the Dallas Cowboys, San Francisco 49ers, Los Angeles Rams and Arizona Cardinals. The Eagles will begin their offseason preparations for the 2022 season.

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts is officially inactive for Saturday night's regular-season finale against the Dallas Cowboys.

Appearing Saturday on NFL Countdown, ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter first reported Hurts would play "few if any snaps" in the game.

Both the Cowboys and Eagles have clinched playoff spots and the Cowboys have clinched the NFC East, leaving Philadelphia with little to play for.

In his second NFL season and his first full campaign as a starter, Hurts has gone 8-7, completed 61.3 percent of his passes for 3,144 yards, 16 touchdowns and nine interceptions, and rushed for 784 yards and 10 scores.

The Eagles currently own the seventh and final seed in the NFC, and they could move up to No. 6 with a win over Dallas along with a Los Angeles Rams victory or tie against the San Francisco 49ers.

Since Philly will have to go on the road for Wild Card Weekend regardless, there isn't much reason to risk injury with its top players.

The Eagles are already set to be without several key players Saturday, as running back Miles Sanders has been ruled out with a hand injury, and defensive tackle Fletcher Cox, tight end Dallas Goedert, cornerback Avonte Maddox and running backs Boston Scott and Jordan Howard are among those on the reserve/COVID-19 list.

Meanwhile, the Cowboys have ruled out cornerback Trevon Diggs, linebacker Micah Parsons and running back Tony Pollard, while offensive tackle Tyron Smith and cornerback Anthony Brown are on the COVID list.

Assuming Hurts sees little or no action, Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni will likely opt to roll with Gardner Minshew under center.

The former Jacksonville Jaguars signal-caller has started one game in place of an injured Hurts this season, leading the Eagles to a 33-18 win over the New York Jets.

Minshew was excellent in that Week 13 game, going 20-of-25 for 242 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions.

In 21 career NFL starts, Minshew is 8-13, including going 6-6 during his rookie year with the Jags in 2019.

The Cowboys have more to play for than the Eagles on Saturday, as they can go from the fourth seed to the second seed in the NFC with a win along with losses by the Rams and Tampa Bay Buccaneers as well as a loss or tie by the Arizona Cardinals.

Dallas cannot secure the No. 1 seed and a first-round bye, however, as the Green Bay Packers have already clinched.

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts has asked the NFL and the Washington Football Team to look into the collapse of a portion of the railing at FedEx Field. 

Hurts addressed a letter to the league and Washington to "inquire about what follow-up action is being considered in response to the near-tragic incident" that occurred after Sunday's game.

Hurts was walking to the locker room and waving at fans in the stands when the railing on one side of the tunnel collapsed, and several fans fell to the ground.

The railing came close to falling on Hurts. 

"I'm just happy everybody is safe from it. That's crazy stuff right there," Hurts told reporters after the game. "That was a real dangerous situation. I'm just so happy everybody bounced back from it, it seemed like. Passionate Eagles fans. I love it."

Washington said in a statement: "To our knowledge, everyone involved was offered onsite medical evaluation and left the stadium of their own accord. We're very glad no one appears to have been seriously injured. The safety of our fans and guests is of the utmost importance and we are looking into what occurred."

Per ESPN's Tim McManus, four of the people who fell disputed Washington's statement about offering medical assistance.

"They didn't ask if anyone was hurt, and they sure as hell didn't ask if anybody needed medical attention," Andrew Collins of Brooklawn, New Jersey, told McManus. "The only thing the staff said to us was to get the F off the field."

NFL spokesperson Brian McCarthy told McManus in an email the league is "reviewing the matter with the club to understand what happened and to ensure it does not happen again."

The Eagles defeated Washington 20-16 and have clinched a playoff berth after missing the postseason last year.