FILADELFIA – So here’s the tightrope that Eagles coach Doug Pederson is walking right now: it’s certainly euphoric that rookie quarterback Jalen Hurts led Philadelphia to a 24-21 win on Sunday, confusing the Saints with their pitches and runs while finishing 4 embarrassing. losing party.
But Pederson also knows his fate is tied to Carson Wentz, the quarterback he sent to the bench for Hurts, this year’s second-round selection. Wentz is the quarterback in the $128 million franchise that the Eagles can’t release or the industry next season because that salary is too big. Strong.
Still, Pederson didn’t even dare say after the victory that Hurts would begin in Week 15 behind the Arizona Cardinals, saying he sought to “enjoy victory” with his circle of relatives before making a decision.
32 ELECTIONS WE KNOW: Week 14 of the 2020 NFL season
NFL PLAYOFF PICTURE: Where’s the NFC East Now?
WEEK 14 WINNERS AND PERDANTS: Steelers are recovering from a damaged racing game
On Monday, Pederson proved hurts would remain in the starting lineup on Sunday, but has been careful to congratulate the rookie.
“After reviewing the film (on Monday), Jalen played well,” Pederson said. “It was a great component of the good luck we had in the attack and it helped us win this football game. “
But he temporarily softened it with: “There were so many other wonderful individual performances on both sides of the ball. “
Still, Pederson didn’t do Hurts for the rest of the season, it was transparent that former Alabama and Oklahoma star did almost everything Wentz didn’t do this season.
Duele discovered open receptors. He ran out of his pocket, earned more time and was able to run, also threw the ball more than once instead of taking a catch, in fact Hurts didn’t shoot at all. Wentz had been fired 50 times in the NFL’s most sensible in 11 games.
Pederson said it was a wound function and the offensive line.
“Jalen, it’s to get in your pocket, and clearly escape the rush a couple of times and make the biggest games with your legs,” Pederson said. “Everything is a component of pass protection, and the boys did a smart job. “
Hurts finished 17 of 30 passes for 167 yards without an interception. It’s not cool, but it’s effective. He has become the first Eagles quarterback to rush more than 100 yards (he had 106) in a game since Michael Vick rushed 130 yards in opposition to the Giants 10 years ago. Hurts joined Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson as the only quarterbacks to pass 100 yards on the floor in their first NFL starts.
Still, Pederson said this after the game: “I think overall there were smart things (from Hurts), and really, somehow, it gave us a spark as a team I’m looking for, and I think we were still looking for it. you know, this victory isn’t about one man. This victory is about this team and the stamina of this team. “
Pederson seemed as excited as who had a root canal treatment.
Hurts led an attack that had been rudderless for most of the season Did You see Miles Sanders interrupt an 82-yard landing at the end of the first half in a game option, a play that worked because the Saints had to respect Hurts and Sanders?
After the game, Sanders hurts a “natural leader. “
Jalen Reagor, rookie open receiver: “You saw. (It hurts) looked good. He’s an intrepid guy, just like me. The guy’s a winner. He knows how to play. I’m proud of him and I’m happy to see him. “how it is. “
After the game, Pederson asked him if he wanted to have gone to Hurts before, after all, he did not bank for Wentz until the time part of Week Thirteen opposed Green Bay, even though Wentz is statistically one of the NFL’s worst quarterbacks. this season.
“It took all the uniforms to win this game, not just a man,” Pederson said. “And I’ll repeat that it takes a people to do this, and Jalen one of them, yes. But it took a team effort to win, honestly. “
Of course, the defense forced two ball losses: his first interception since October 22 and a very important bag through Josh Sweat over Saints quarterback Taysom Hill in the final quarter with the Saints in Eagles territory just one basket.
There is also a key special group game when Jalen Mills regained a kick in play with 1:24 remaining to maintain victory.
But the Eagles had their first double-digit lead in the first half for the first time since the first game of the season because of Hurts.
They ran for 246 yards in opposition to the NFL’s best defense due to Hurts. The Saints had allowed an average of only 76. 1 yards on the court in the game and had allowed a 100-yard runner in 55 consecutive games.
However, Pederson can simply congratulate Hurts because he also had to stay in the brains of Wentz’s feelings.
To Goz’s credit, Hurts said Wentz participated on the sidelines, giving advice, pointing out things he had seen since the Saints’ defense.
“Carson had a recommendation for me,” Hurts said. “A few little things pointing here and there – a few glances, seeing the Array defense area . . . We were all behind. That’s the good looks of it all. “
Pederson desperately wants that Wentz attitude to continue. After all, if Pederson returns as coach next season, this may be his last chance to get Wentz back.
He was cautious when asked if he was mindful of Wentz’s emotions related to Hurts’ praise and said he was considering the whole team.
But Pederson allowed himself this little compliment to Hurts, when he told him that Sanders had called Hurts an herbal leader:
“Yes, I’d say it’s pretty accurate. “
Contact Martin Frank at mfrank@delawareonline. com. Follow @Mfranknfl on Twitter