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12/14 14:46 CST Jalen Hurts rebounds with 3 TD passes as Eagles snap losing
streak in 31-0 rout of Raiders
Jalen Hurts rebounds with 3 TD passes as Eagles snap losing streak in 31-0 rout
of Raiders
By DAN GELSTON
AP Sports Writer
PHILADELPHIA (AP) --- Jalen Hurts rebounded from his worst NFL game to throw
three touchdown passes, Saquon Barkley had a 2-yard touchdown run and the
Philadelphia Eagles snapped a three-game losing streak with a 31-0 win over the
Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday.
The Eagles (9-5) were able to get their maligned offense under embattled
coordinator Kevin Patullo right against the woeful Raiders and finally showed
signs of life with a nice mix of play calling in bitter cold temperatures and
topped 21 points for the first time in six games.
Hurts had his moments --- that included a shovel pass for a score to Dallas
Goedert on a day that started with the field blanketed in several inches of
snow. Hurts also hit DeVonta Smith on a 44-yard reception on a drive that
stalled in the second quarter and settled for a field goal by Jake Elliott and
a 10-0 lead. He pitched a 4-yard TD pass to Goedert in the third for a 24-0
lead.
Yes, their first three TDs that totaled 10 yards --- and a dynamite defensive
effort --- was enough to beat down a Raiders (2-12) team that lost their eighth
straight game and got an anemic performance out of Kenny Pickett in his first
start at quarterback for the injured Geno Smith.
Hurts needed a personal win in his first game since he thew four interceptions
and lost a fumble in an overtime loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. Hurts'
season has been erratic -- he threw five picks against only two touchdowns the
last two games, 10 months after he won Super Bowl MVP. Coach Nick Sirianni
scoffed at a " ridiculous " question on his weekly Philadelphia sports talk
radio appearance when he was asked if Hurts would keep his starting job this
season.
Hurts turned the game into a blowout when he threw a 27-yard touchdown to A.J.
Brown early in the fourth for a 31-0 lead. He finished 12 of 15 for 175 yards
passing.
The Eagles also staved off talk they were on the brink of their second December
collapse under Sirianni in the last three seasons. The 2023 Eagles started 10-1
and finished 11-6 and were bounced in their first playoff game.
Hurts and this year's Eagles have the benefit of a soft schedule down the
stretch that started against the Raiders and includes two games with the
Washington Commanders. The Eagles still control the NFC East and have a home
playoff game in sight --- and yes, they can still repeat as Super Bowl
champions, even as Barkley recently noted how it seemed "the sky's falling
outside the locker room."
Barkley is still well off his 2,000-yards rushing pace from a season ago but
added 78 yards rushing and his TD run sent the Eagles into halftime with a 17-0
lead.
Graham breaks through with sacks Brandon Graham had his first two sacks with the Eagles since he ended his short-lived retirement after the Super Bowl and returned to the team in late October. At 37 years, 255 days old, Graham became the oldest player in Eagles history with a sack. Richard Dent was 37 years, 1 day when he had a sack in 1997.
Pickett and the Raiders struggle Pickett won a Super Bowl ring last season as Hurts' backup. In his return to Philadelphia, Pickett threw for only 64 yards and was sacked four times. Smith injured his right shoulder and hand in the third quarter of last Sunday's 24-17 loss to Denver. Smith has a good chance to return next week when the Raiders visit Houston
Hail to the Birds Former President Joe Biden attended the game and told a sports reporter from the local NBC TV station he was rooting for the Eagles. "Go Birds, man, all the way," Biden said. "Gotta win the Super Bowl again."
Injuries Hurts and Barkley were both checked out by trainers on the sidelines, but stayed in the game until the score got out of reach.
Up next Raiders: Play Sunday at Houston. Eagles: Play Saturday in Landover, Maryland, against the Commanders. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
Graham breaks through with sacks Brandon Graham had his first two sacks with the Eagles since he ended his short-lived retirement after the Super Bowl and returned to the team in late October. At 37 years, 255 days old, Graham became the oldest player in Eagles history with a sack. Richard Dent was 37 years, 1 day when he had a sack in 1997.
Pickett and the Raiders struggle Pickett won a Super Bowl ring last season as Hurts' backup. In his return to Philadelphia, Pickett threw for only 64 yards and was sacked four times. Smith injured his right shoulder and hand in the third quarter of last Sunday's 24-17 loss to Denver. Smith has a good chance to return next week when the Raiders visit Houston
Hail to the Birds Former President Joe Biden attended the game and told a sports reporter from the local NBC TV station he was rooting for the Eagles. "Go Birds, man, all the way," Biden said. "Gotta win the Super Bowl again."
Injuries Hurts and Barkley were both checked out by trainers on the sidelines, but stayed in the game until the score got out of reach.
Up next Raiders: Play Sunday at Houston. Eagles: Play Saturday in Landover, Maryland, against the Commanders. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
