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The Philadelphia Eagles are entering the NFL playoffs with the top seed in the NFC and the league’s best record.
For months, Philadelphia has looked like an absolute juggernaut on both sides of the ball. But things got a little bit sketchy in the last few weeks of the season.
Star quarterback Jalen Hurts, who many feel should be the league MVP, missed both weeks 16 and 17 after suffering a sprained shoulder.
The Eagles lost both of those games, against the Cowboys and Saints, to drop from 13-1 to 13-3. That put the top seed in doubt against NFC East rival New York. If Philly lost again, the San Francisco 49ers or Dallas Cowboys could have jumped to the No. 1 spot. Had Dallas won and the Eagles lost, Philadelphia would have fallen all the way to the No. 5 seed.
But that’s not what happened. Instead, Hurts returned to the lineup and the Eagles topped the Giants, who sat the majority of their starters, to nab the top seed.
And the importance of that top seed, and the bye week that comes with it, cannot be overstated.
Nick Sirianni Reveals Jalen Hurts Played Through Pain Against Giants
Hurts was far from perfect in his first game back. The third-year QB out of Oklahoma went 20-of-35 for 229 yards, no touchdowns and an interception. He also carried the ball nine times for just 13 yards.
As it turns out, he’s still dealing with the lingering effects of the shoulder injury suffered against the Bears.
“We didn’t feel like there was more risk [of further injury] but I know he was hurting, and he was hurting bad,” coach Nick Sirianni said. “But that’s the kind of competitor he is, that’s the kind of person he is, and kind of teammate and leader he is that he was able to go out there and tough through it.” – via ESPN
The victory gives Hurts and his teammates an extra week off prior to their playoff push, which it appears is badly needed.
Meanwhile, the Eagles will also have the benefit of playing either Tampa Bay or rival Dallas on a short week. The Bucs are set to host the Cowboys on Monday Night Football to close out the NFL’s Wild Card weekend.
With a healthy Hurts, the Eagles are major threats to claim their second Lombardi Trophy in six years. Without him, however, an early exit could be on the cars.