“Minshew Mania” was in full effect at MetLife Stadium on Sunday as Eagles backup quarterback Gardner Minshew III made his first start of the season for the injured Jalen Hurts(ankle) against the New York Jets(3-9).
At times, Minshew was magical, especially in the first half. In the Eagles’ first three possessions, which all ended in touchdowns, Minshew completed 11-of-11 attempts for 165 passing yards and two touchdowns, both to tight end Dallas Goedert. He completed 93% of his passes in the first half (14-of-15 for 188 yards). Ultimately, Philly would take a 24-18 halftime lead and would defeat the Jets 33-18.
The Eagles(6-7) scored on their first seven possessions of the game, marking the first time they have done so since at least 2001.
The third-year quarterback ended the game 20/25 for 242 yards and two touchdowns, and more importantly, the Eagles are a 1/2 game behind the Washington Football Team and the San Francisco 49ers for the final two Wild Card spots in the NFC.
“It’s the best time I’ve had since we won last year,” Minshew said after the win. “There’s nothing like that feeling. Glad to do it with this group of guys. They made it easy for me.”
Minshew was solid on Sunday, but that should be expected when considering the defense he was facing. The Jets lead the NFL in points allowed, and coming into this game against the Eagles, have allowed 30.4 points per contest. While fans in Philly may want Minshew to keep the job, Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni said this week when healthy Hurts is the guy, and he reiterated that after the game.
“There’s been times when he’s been one of the best in the league,” Sirianni said about Hurts. “The way he’s moved around, made plays, we look at that quarterback rating and what he’s had there. He’s played really good football when he’s in, so when he’s healthy, and he’s back, he’ll be our starter.”
Philadelphia continued to run the ball successfully as they had 185 yards on the ground, and Miles Sanders(left game in fourth with a leg injury) had his first 100-yard game of the season with 120 yards on 24 carries.
The final four games will determine if the Eagles can make the playoffs, and after the bye, they host the Washington Football Team for the first of two games in three weeks against WFT. Those games will have playoff implications.
Going forward, if he is healthy, Hurts will have an opportunity to play meaningful football in December.
Notes:
-Philadelphia increases their all-time series lead against the New York Jets to 12-0. The Eagles’ 12-0 mark against the Jets is currently the most wins without a loss by any NFL franchise in a head-to-head series. Philadelphia (12-0 vs. New York; 5-0 vs. Houston) and Minnesota (5-0 vs. Houston) are the only NFL teams with undefeated records against active opponents.
-Goedert’s 36-yard touchdown is tied for Philadelphia’s longest passing score of the season (also Jalen Hurts to DeVonta Smith in Week 10 at Denver). It is the longest TD by an Eagles TE since Brent Celek’s 65-yard catch on 12/19/10 at N.Y. Giants (thrown by Vick). Goedert finished the game with six catches for 105 yards and two touchdowns.
–Philadelphia’s defense struggled in the first half. They allowed the Jets to score three touchdowns. However, they blanked the Jets in the second half.
