Jalen Hurts remains undefeated in season-opening games as the Eagles leave Brazil with a 34-29 victory over the Green Bay Packers. Sirianni is 4-0 in Week 1, and the Eagles are tied with the Chiefs for the best record in the NFL since 2022 at 26-9. Despite a high score, neither offense looked impressive outside of Saquon Barkley and Jayden Reed for the Packers. Jordan Love and Jalen Hurts threw 34 passes a pop, with Hurts completing three more than Love, who had 17 completions. Both threw two TDs, but Hurts has two interceptions compared to Love's. In the final drive of the game, Love went down and left the game. It was revealed that it's believed to be an MCL sprain, and he should miss 3-6 weeks. It's not ideal, but it's far from the worst-case scenario.
Saquon Barkley's Debut
Saquon Barkley became the first Eagles to rush for 100+ yards in a season opener since LeSean McCoy in 2013. Barkley scored three touchdowns in his Eagles debut, which he only did once in his 74 games with the New York Giants. The Eagles' offense overall didn't look great and had a few huge mistakes, but Barkley carried them with his 132 total yards. Three touchdowns is tied for the most by any NFL player in their debut with a team. Barkley joins Terrell Owens as the only Eagles ever to do it, 20 years apart.
No Eagles running back has had three touchdowns in a game since Miles Sanders did in 2019. No Eagles player has ever tallied more than 20 touchdowns in a season, but this is the best way to start a hopeful 20+ TD year. Barkley was effective and efficient, averaging 4.5 yards per carry and 11.5 yards per reception. If this continues, Barkley could have a CMC-type impact for Philadelphia. The 49ers were a contending team coming off a recent Super Bowl loss to the Chiefs when they signed CMC, who has two pro bowls, two NFC Championships appearances, one Super Bowl appearance, and won OPOY since joining SF. Now, the Eagles are a contending team coming off a recent Super Bowl loss to the Chiefs, and they traded for Barkley to fill the last hole in their offense and possibly add a new team MVP.
Jalen Hurts' Turnovers
In 2023, one of the biggest issues was how careless Jalen Hurts was with the ball. One game into the 2024 season, and it still appears to be an issue. Hurts had two interceptions and technically two fumbles, one of which was recovered by the Packers. The fumble lost was more of a miscommunication between Hurts and new center Cam Jurgens, but it goes in the stats as a fumble for Hurts. The two interceptions were inexcusable. The first one was just under 11 minutes into the game and was directed for DeVonta Smith, who LB Quay Walker covered. If Hurts led Smith, he could've definitely burned an LB, but instead, the pass was thrown and picked off by Xavier McKinney. The second pick of the game for Hurts was Philly at the 14-yard line on third down. Hurts escaped the pocket and tried directing traffic in the end zone. Jaire Alexander saw this and left his receiver to go make a play on the ball, and he got the interception.
Both interceptions were from players leaving their spot and jumping the ball; however, both times, Hurts' cover was guarded, and regardless both plays most likely would've ended with an INT or PD. In 2022, when Hurts finished second in MVP voting and led the Birds to the Super bowl he had 11 turnovers. In 2023 he had 21 turnovers, and now he's technically on pace to have even more. The Eagles have an elite offense with plenty of mouths to feed, Hurts just needs to protect the ball better. It's hard for an offense to be efficient if they're not on the field. Hurts is more than capable of cleaning it up, and it's only Week 1, but Hurts' turnovers are worth highlighting.
Secondary Play
The Eagles' secondary did look improved in the season's first game. Jordan Love completed 50% of his passes and threw an interception. Reed Blakenship was the one who snagged the int from Love. Philly was down 26-24 in the third quarter, and the Packers were backed up against their end zone. Love was trying to find Luke Musgrave when Blakenship soared through the air and made a great play. He managed to keep his hands under the ball, and the Eagles then scored a TD and kept the lead the rest of the game after seven lead changes before the pick. Reed led the Eagles in tackles in 2023 and is second to start 2024 while also having a pass deflection.
Darius Slay allowed one reception on one target and had three tackles in the game. Rookie CB Quinyon Mitchell had two pass deflections and was targeted once in the end zone, but had great coverage on Christian Watson. Overall, Mitchell allowed five receptions on nine targets for 86 yards. There's room to improve, but far from a bad debut for the Rookie out of Toledo. While the Eagles' first-round pick had a hefty workload, their second-rounder, Cooper DeJean, didn't. DeJean missed most of training camp and pre-season, so he's further behind than most. DC Vic Fangio said, "I think he's as prepared as he can be, but having said that, not where he needs to be," DeJean was healthy and active against the Packers but didn't see the field as he continues to prepare.
Final Score: Eagles 34, Packers 29
Dixon's Three Stars
1st Star - RB Saquon Barkley (26 Touches, 132 Total Yards, 3 Total Touchdowns)
2nd Star - LB Zack Baun (15 Tackles, 2 Sacks, 1 TFL)
3rd Star - WR AJ Brown (5 Receptions, 119 Yards, 1 TD)
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