Jalen Hurts’ commanding efficiency matched by Philadelphia Eagles’ stingy protection in win over Minnesota Vikings

PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Minnesota Vikings 24-7 on Monday night time as quarterback Jalen Hurts was in management on the bottom (57 yards, 2 TDs) and thru the air (26-of-31, 333 yards), whereas the Eagles protection annoyed Kirk Cousins & Co., with three interceptions.

Philadelphia Eagles

Hurts has been the crew’s finest participant every of the final two weeks, and that is no small factor. Getting into the season, the massive query was whether or not Hurts was adequate to make the most of a loaded roster and switch Philadelphia into legit contenders. There is a lengthy technique to go, however he is been dynamite to date. Vegas has taken discover. Hurts’ MVP odds moved from 14-1 to 8-1 at Caesars Sportsbook following Monday’s win. He’s now the third favourite behind Josh Allen (+325) and Patrick Mahomes (+450). The massive enchancment has been Hurts’ passing. He was decisive and correct together with his throws in opposition to Minnesota. Given how efficient he’s as a runner, defenses are going to have a really exhausting time containing him if he continues to burn it up by means of the air.

Promising pattern: The Eagles protection obtained off the mat in an enormous approach after yielding 35 factors to Jared Goff and the Lions Week 1. The distinction? Defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon was way more aggressive. He dialed up various artistic blitzes and had the corners difficult the gifted group of Minnesota receivers. The outcome was three interceptions, together with a pair by Slay.

Pivotal play: Early within the second quarter, Hurts discovered a streaking Quez Watkins for a 53-yard landing to place the Eagles forward for good. It was a complete defensive breakdown, with three defenders gravitating in the direction of tight finish Dallas Goedert whereas Watkins cruised down the sphere unmarked.

QB breakdown: This was Hurts’ third video games because the starting of final season with two rush touchdowns and a passing landing. The remainder of the league has 4, per ESPN Stats & Data. — Tim McManus

Underrated statistic to know: Hurts is the second Eagle within the Tremendous Bowl period with 300 passing yards and two speeding TDs in a sport. He joins quarterback Mike Vick, who did it on Monday Evening Soccer in 2010 in opposition to Washington.

Subsequent sport: at Commanders (1 p.m. ET, Sept. 25)

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Minnesota Vikings

There’s a excellent cause to keep away from overreacting to Week 1. It is known as Week 2, and it has a approach of leveling off any fast assessments. And so it went Monday night time for the Vikings, who have been dominated bodily and schematically. The loss got here one week after they dominated the Green Bay Packers bodily and schematically in a rousing win to open the season. So which efficiency finest signifies the kind of crew the Vikings shall be this season? The reply to such questions is normally someplace within the center, however it’s going to take a while to dig by means of the rubble left by Hurts, who accomplished 26 of 31 passes for 333 yards whereas accounting for all three Eagles touchdowns.

Eye-popping Subsequent Gen Stat: Slay shut down Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson, one week after Jefferson had a career-high 184 receiving yards in opposition to the Packers. With Slay as the closest defender, Jefferson had one reception for seven yards on 5 targets. Slay intercepted two of these passes.

Greatest gap within the sport plan: The Vikings opened in a shell protection in opposition to Hurts and the Eagles offense and have been instantly clobbered. Hurts accomplished his first 9 passes and had 251 passing yards at halftime alone. The Vikings did not blitz typically. By halfway by means of the fourth quarter, they’d despatched an additional rusher on 19% of his dropbacks and had gotten strain on solely 25% of his dropbacks. This protection is based on getting warmth from pass-rushers Danielle Hunter and Za’Darius Smith, and neither made a lot of an influence. Though the Eagles have been slowed significantly within the second half, the injury was finished.

Troubling pattern: Cousins threw two interceptions within the pink zone through the third quarter, and a 3rd within the fourth, all when the Vikings have been trailing by 21 factors. In different phrases, the interceptions quashed a real likelihood to get again within the sport. The picks instantly revived social media discuss of Cousins’ file on Monday Evening Soccer video games, which is now 2-10. One was a miscommunication with Jefferson, who seemed to be apologizing to Cousins within the moments afterward. However the others have been a compelled go to receiver Adam Thielen, who was bracketed in protection, and a bounce ball to Jefferson that was wanting its mark. — Kevin Seifert

Underrated statistic to know: On passes on 10 or extra air yards, Cousins was 4-of-10 for 61 yards and two picks.

Subsequent sport: vs. Lions (1 p.m. ET, Sept. 25)