Hurts battles illness, beats Tampa Bay for first time in career
Goforitradio Staff
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In Game 5 of the 1997 NBA Finals, Michael Jordan, who battled the flu, scored 38 points as he led the Bulls to a big win over the Jazz. Jordan would go on to win his fifth NBA title.
On Monday night, another great player in a different sport, Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts, was battling flu-like symptoms, and while he was not as good as Jordan, Hurts was good enough.
He completed 23 of 37 passes for 277 yards, a touchdown, and two interceptions. Hurts ran for another 28 yards and a touchdown on the ground. The rushing touchdown was the 29th of his career, the most ever by an NFL quarterback in their first 50 career games.
With Hurts, a potent running game(201 yards rushing), and a stifling defense, the Eagles(3-0) defeated the Buccaneers(2-1) 25-11 at Raymond James Stadium.
All Hurts does is win. Philadelphia has won 20 of its last 21 regular-season games (.952) started by Hurts).
“It’s not the first time I’ve dealt with this or had to play with something like this,” Hurts said about playing through illness. “And it always happens on Monday night for whatever reason.”
Hurts, who got revenge after losing to the Bucs in his previous two matchups, has won each of his last ten regular-season away games dating back to Week 17 of 2021. It is the longest such streak in franchise history.
The Eagles amassed 472 yards of total offense, and the passing game was improved as Hurts’ 277 yards was a season-high, but despite some success in the passing game, which included a 34-yard touchdown pass to Olamide Zaccheaus, Hurts is still not satisfied.
“I think whether we win or lose, I don’t think I’ll ever be satisfied,” Hurts said. “That’s always the mentality. So there’s an eagerness – always, win, lose, or draw to get better.”
Philadelphia should be encouraged by what the offense did on Monday. D’Andre Swift had another 100-yard game(130), and the passing game looked better. The interceptions were not good, but the first one was a byproduct of miscommunication between Hurts and Swift. On the second interception, Bucs safety Dee Delaney made a great play on the ball.
The Eagles have yet to play a complete game this season, but they are still 3-0 and are one of only three remaining undefeated teams in the NFL through the first three weeks of the season, joining Miami and San Francisco. Philadelphia should have no issue going to 4-0 when they battle the Commanders at home on Sunday.
