Here are five things we learned from the Eagles’ thrilling 28-22 road victory over the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, as the Birds improved to 5-2 in the building where they won their first Super Bowl.
1. Jalen Hurts is ‘perfect’
Hurts completed 19 of 23 passes for 326 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions for a perfect passer rating of 158.3. That kind of efficiency doesn’t happen often. His 82.6% completion rate and several downfield connections — including throws of 79, 45, 37 and 26 yards — set the tone.
Coming off a “mini-bye,” the crisp timing and pocket command erased any lingering doubts after a sluggish stretch. Hurts’ ability to recognize pressure, manipulate the defense and find open windows made the offense feel surgical. When he plays at this level, the Eagles are almost impossible to stop.
2. A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith take over
A.J. Brown caught four passes for 121 yards and two touchdowns, while DeVonta Smith exploded for a career-best 183 receiving yards and a long score. The wideout tandem combined for more than 300 yards, feasting on the Vikings’ secondary and dictating matchups.
Perhaps the biggest moment came late in the fourth quarter on a pivotal third down against a zero-coverage blitz. Offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo dialed up a slant-and-go to Brown, who beat former Eagles corner Isaiah Rodgers and hauled in a 45-yard strike from Hurts over the middle. (Smith’s earlier 79-yard touchdown also came with Rodgers in coverage.)
Sunday was a reminder of how lethal the duo can be when the game plan isolates a matchup and Hurts delivers on time. It wasn’t just raw talent; it was calculated execution.
3. Defense delivers in the clutch
The Eagles’ defense made game-changing plays when it mattered most. Rookie linebacker Jalyx Hunt returned an interception 42 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter, flipping momentum.
The Vikings reached the red zone six times and came away with just one touchdown, settling for five field goals from Will Reichard. It was a testament to how often the Eagles stiffened inside the 20, which they had done most of the season until recently.
They didn’t overwhelm Vikings quarterback Carson Wentz with constant pressure, but they forced mistakes and tightened the screws in the red zone. A pick-six plus red-zone stinginess is usually a winning formula.
4. Nakobe Dean is back with a vengeance
Linebacker Nakobe Dean appears fully recovered from knee surgery. He made his presence felt in the middle of the defense. While his stat line wasn’t eye-popping (six tackles, three solo), he shot gaps for a tackle for loss, chased plays sideline to sideline and looked sharp in his first real action back.
His range and command give the Eagles more versatility in their front seven. If Dean stays healthy, his impact goes beyond a box score. It boosts the leadership and flexibility of an already elite unit and allows the defensive front to play more freely.
5. Injuries and a stagnant run game persist
The passing attack flourished, but the running game didn’t. Saquon Barkley managed just 44 yards on 18 carries as the Eagles struggled to get push up front, though injuries were a factor again, even with left guard Landon Dickerson back in the lineup.
- C Cam Jurgens (knee) left the game in the first half with a knee injury and was replaced by Brett Toth. Jurgens was later ruled out for the rest of the game.
- EDGE Azeez Ojulari (hamstring) exited in the first quarter and was ruled out.
- ILB Jeremiah Trotter Jr. (ankle) left in the first quarter with an ankle injury and didn’t return.
- CB Adoree’ Jackson (concussion) departed in the third quarter after a tackle attempt.
Bonus: Wentz still does Wentz things
Facing his former team, Carson Wentz threw for 313 yards and made several highlight plays, including scrambles that extended drives. But his panicky pair of interceptions — one returned for a touchdown — were a reminder of his wild swings.
Wentz, whom Hurts replaced as the Eagles’ starting QB in 2021, still flashes the same arm talent and improvisational flair that once made him a star in Philadelphia. He also still forces throws in key spots — and this time against a franchise that knows his tendencies, those gambles proved costly.
One more thing
Retired Eagles edge rusher Brandon Graham — a two-time Super Bowl champion who delivered a key strip sack against Tom Brady at U.S. Bank Stadium in Super Bowl LII — is mulling a return to action. The 37-year-old and the team have discussed a comeback, according to multiple reports.
Follow Christiaan DeFranco on X at @the_defranc.
Source: Berkshire mont