Hurts has been the MVP to this point

There has been so much rhetoric about Jalen Hurts, with still so many pundits skeptical about the Eagles quarterback.

To show how far Hurts has come is to see what he did during Sunday’s 25-20 win at Chicago over the Bears.

This might have been Hurts worst game of the year, when the game-time temperature was 18 degrees and the wind chill was three degrees.

Hurts admitted afterwards he had to do better in the cold. While Philadelphia is no stranger to cold weather in December and January, the wind in Chicago made it difficult.

All that said, Hurts still threw for 315 yards. He also rushed for 61 yards and three touchdowns. Hurts also threw two interceptions after entering the game with three all season.

Still, if 315 yards passing and three rushing touchdowns is your worst game or one of them, that shows how effective Hurts has been all season.

Dallas Cowboys defensive end Micah Parsons was yapping before this week about Hurts being part of the system, instead of the player driving the bus.

Maybe Parsons should have been worrying about Doug Pederson’s Jacksonville Jaguars, who upset the Cowboys, 40-34 in overtime.

Now the Eagles (13-1) can clinch the top seed and a first-round playoff bye with a win on Christmas Eve in Dallas.

Back to Hurts.

There has been the narrative going around, that Hurts is a product of the system. Many are still questioning his MVP credentials, suggesting that he has great players around him and is only there for the ride.

It might be the dumbest take ever when discussing the MVP.

Name and MVP who didn’t have great players around him?

Aaron Rodgers won the previous two MVPs. Didn’t he have one of the best wide receivers in Davonte Adams, one of the top running backs in Aaron Jones and what was considered among the NFL’s best offensive lines the previous two seasons?

Patrick Mahomes, a candidate for this year’s MVP, won the award in 2018. His top receiver was Tyreek Hill, who might be the best wide receiver in the NFL if it isn’t Adams. Travis Kelcie is a future Hall of Fame tight end. The offensive line was solid.

We can do this drill with any MVP, but one of the reasons they win the award is because the are on good teams with good players around them.

Of course Hurts is playing with great personnel. The Eagles might have the best offensive line in the NFL. Miles Sanders has emerged as potential Pro Bowl running back. A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith may be the best receiving tandem in the NFL.

Still, Hurts has brought a different dimension to the offense. He has completed 67.3% of his passes for 3,472 yards, 22 touchdowns and five interceptions. He also has rushed for 747 yards (4.8 avg.) and 13 touchdowns.

This is one of the greatest seasons for a quarterback in Eagles history. It’s hard to ask for a player to do more.

A player shouldn’t be penalized for playing with great teammates, but those voters should also realize that Hurts’ dual-threat ability makes him one of the most dangerous offensive players in the NFL. And he should be the hands-down MVP.

The only thing that could stop his campaign is injury and several published reports stated he suffered a sprained shoulder against the Bears. At press time, his status was uncertain for the Dallas game. 

Stay tuned, but to this point, everybody should be chasing Huts in the MVP race.