The Philadelphia Eagles survived an aggressive comeback from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday in order to keep their 1.000 winning record firmly intact.
The Eagles squandered a comfortable 24-6 lead at half time to let Tampa Bay get within 8 points of them in the fourth quarter, and then giving Baker Mayfield not one but two opportunities to tie the game up before the bout ultimately finished 31-25.
The good news for Philadelphia is that the defense held firm. But more questions were posed of the offense in the second half than the first. Hurts got off to an excellent start in the first half, and then subsequently went 0-8 in passing for no yards through the air, although he did manage 20 on the ground rushing.
Hurts himself had some words about the what was done between the first and second halves, but Anthony DiBona of The Philly Special has floated the possibility of a different theory.
Eagles Writer Suggest Jalen Hurts May Have Had Second-Half Concussion
DiBona suggests that it could be possible that Hurts suffered a concussion in the second quarter, after getting hit by a member of the Buccaneers‘ secondary.
“Hurts played like a legitimate MVP candidate in the first half against the Buccaneers.” DiBona wrote on Tuesday. “He completed 15-of-16 passes for 130 yards and two touchdowns. Then he looked like a completely different player in the second half, so what happened?
On Philadelphia’s third possession of the second half, Hurts took a shot from Buccaneers safety Tykee Smith while sliding. While the referees eventually picked up the flag, Hurts’ head bounced off the field and he was slow to get up.”
Did Jalen Hurts’ Second-Quarter Hit Impact His Playing Ability?
Although this is hardly a declaration of full knowledge from DiBona, who emphasizes this is speculative, rather than an accusation, he did see a correlation between the hit and the subsequent decline in performance on Sunday.
“Somehow, someway Hurts remained in the game and didn’t look like himself the rest of the way. Now I’m not going to say that Hurts definitely suffered a concussion but it was certainly a notable hit.
Hurts failed to complete a single pass in the second half as Philadelphia’s offense fell off a cliff. He was consistently off target with his throws and simply didn’t look like the same player that we saw in the first half of Week 4.”
It is impossible to draw a conclusion without having all of the necessary medical facts. Especially given that the former Super Bowl MVP went up against one of the better defensive schemers and game-planners in all of football, in Tampa Bay’s head coach, Todd Bowles.
But going from 15/16 to 0/8 demonstrates not just a second half drop-off caused by a lack of focus and execution, or superior in-game adjustments from the opposing defense. It represents a total shift of momentum and power from one side of the ball to another.
Hopefully, for Hurts’ sake, it was just a second half blip of poor form that he can correct next weekend as the Eagles host the 2-2 Denver Broncos.
Jalen Hurts Embraces the Challenge of Being No. 1: "We’re Focused on Winning for Our Fans and This City"
As the Philadelphia Eagles sit atop the NFL standings, quarterback Jalen Hurts is speaking candidly about what it means to lead the league's best team. The Eagles’ current No. 1 ranking in the power rankings is a testament to their incredible start to the season, but for Hurts, it’s just the beginning of a much larger journey.
In a recent interview, Hurts acknowledged that while reaching the top is a privilege, staying there is an even greater challenge. "Being at the top is a privilege, but it’s also a challenge. Every week is a new test," Hurts said. "We’ve got a long way to go, and we’re all in this together. We’re focused on winning, not just for ourselves, but for our fans and this city."
The Eagles have been dominant this season, with Hurts leading the offense with his dynamic playmaking ability, both in the air and on the ground. His leadership and determination have been on full display, guiding his team through tough games and closing out victories with precision and poise. But despite the success, Hurts remains focused on the bigger picture.
As Hurts said, the team’s goal isn’t just to stay at the top; it’s about maintaining consistency and continuing to perform week in and week out. "We’ve been in this position before," Hurts noted. "But being in the lead means that we have a target on our backs. We can’t take our foot off the gas. We’ve got to keep pushing, keep working, and keep improving. I know this team is capable of achieving something special, but we have to stay grounded."
What sets Hurts apart is not just his play on the field, but his mentality off of it. His leadership is not about accolades or personal glory—it’s about the team, the city of Philadelphia, and the fans who have supported the Eagles through thick and thin. Hurts is acutely aware of the role he plays in representing not just the Eagles, but the entire fanbase that bleeds midnight green.
"Every time we step on the field, we know we’re not just playing for ourselves," Hurts continued. "We’re playing for every fan who’s cheering us on, for the city that’s supported us, and for everyone who believes in what we’re doing here. That’s what motivates me every day."
Hurts’ focus on the collective effort is why he has quickly become the heart and soul of the Eagles’ success. His leadership isn’t just about leading by example—it’s about inspiring everyone around him to reach new heights. His ability to remain humble despite his success is a testament to his character and his drive to keep pushing forward, not just for his own legacy but for the Eagles' place in history.
As the season progresses, the challenge for the Eagles will be to maintain their dominance and to handle the pressure that comes with being No. 1. But with Hurts at the helm, it’s clear that the Eagles are ready for whatever lies ahead.
With the support of the city and his teammates, Hurts is confident that the best is yet to come. And as he continues to lead by example, the Eagles are focused on one thing above all: winning—for the fans, for the city, and for each other.
