Love Hurts

by Marc Narducci | Feb 17, 2025

This past Eagles team was not only arguably the best in franchise history but also one that was probably the most popular.

There are so many likable players on this team, led by the humble quarterback and Super Bowl MVP Jalen Hurts.

What is so likable about Hurts is the resilience he has shown to become such an accomplished quarterback.

Hurts is a player who has been doubted as a franchise quarterback his entire career, even from the time he was benched at halftime of the national championship game with Alabama.

Yet everywhere he has been, from Alabama to Oklahoma (where he was second in the Heisman Trophy voting) to the Eagles, Hurts has been a huge winner.

The story about Hurts’ rise in the NFL is well documented. He was drafted in the second round, seemingly as insurance in case thing would unravel with Carson Wentz—which obviously happened.

Hurts took advantage of his opportunity, kept improving and eventually earned a contract for more than $50 million a year (albeit not exorbitant by today’s NFL QB standards).

What has made Hurts special is that the bigger the games, the better he seems to play.

Here is a look at Hurts’ overall playoff resume:

In nine games he has completed 66.8 percent of his passes for 1,813 yards, 10 touchdowns and three interceptions. Hurts has also rushed for 381 yards (4.88 avg.) and 10 touchdowns. He has a 95.1 passer rating.

That is elite production.

What to break it down further?

Here is what Hurts has done in two Super Bowls:

He has completed 73.1 percent of his passes for 525 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. According to Statmuse.com, his passer rating in the two Super Bowls is 109.4. He has rushed for 142 yards and four touchdowns on 26 carries.

When the two Super Bowls are the best playoff games he has played, it says quite a bit about his big-play ability.

While Saquon Barkley was out of this world both in the regular season and postseason, what Hurts accomplished this postseason kind of was overshadowed at least until the Super Bowl.

Here is a look at what Hurts did each playoff game this past season:

22-10 win over Green Bay

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13-21 passing, (61.9%), 131 yards, two TDs, 0 interceptions, 111.4 passer rating. He also rushed for 36 yards on six attempts.

28-22 win over LA Rams
15 of 20 passing, (75%), 128 yards, 0 TDs, 0 INT. 91.2 passer rating.. 7 carries, 70 yards, 1 TD (a dynamic 44-yard run).

55-23 win over Washington
20 of 28 pass (71.4%), 226 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT, 110.1 passer rating, 10 carries 16 yards, 3 TDs.

40-22 win over Kansas City
17 of 22 passing (77.2%), 2 TDs, 1 INT, 119.7 passer rating, 11 carries, 72 yards, 1 TD.

Playoff stats this season

In the four playoff games this past season he completed 71.4% of his passes for 726 yards, five touchdowns and one interception. Hurts also ran for 194 yards (5.7 avg.) and five touchdowns.

In Hurts’ four full seasons as a starter, he has guided the Eagles to playoffs each year, including two Super Bowl appearances and of course, this year’s championship.

What is scary from an Eagles opponent perspective is that he turns 27 in August and is now in his prime. That’s why it’s not too far-fetched to suggest that Hurts’ days of leading the Eagles to the Super Bowl and winning it, are far from over.

Photo Courtesy of the Philadelphia Eagles

Author: Marc Narducci

Love Hurts

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