The Philadelphia Eagles survived an aggressive comeback from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday in order to keep their 1.000 winning record firmly intact.
The Eagles squandered a comfortable 24-6 lead at half time to let Tampa Bay get within 8 points of them in the fourth quarter, and then giving Baker Mayfield not one but two opportunities to tie the game up.
The good news for Philadelphia is that the defense held firm. But more questions were posed of the offense from the first half to the second. Hurts got off to an excellent start in the first half, and then subsequently went 0-8 in passing for no yards through the air, although he did manage 20 on the ground.
Hurts himself had some words about the what was done between the first and second halves, but Anthony DiBona of The Philly Special has floated the possibility of a different theory.
Eagles Writer Suggest Jalen Hurts May Have Had Second-Half Concussion
DiBona suggests that it could be possible that Hurts suffered a concussion in the second quarter, after getting hit by a member of the Buccaneers‘ secondary.
“Hurts played like a legitimate MVP candidate in the first half against the Buccaneers.” DiBona wrote on Tuesday. “He completed 15-of-16 passes for 130 yards and two touchdowns. Then he looked like a completely different player in the second half, so what happened?
On Philadelphia’s third possession of the second half, Hurts took a shot from Buccaneers safety Tykee Smith while sliding. While the referees eventually picked up the flag, Hurts’ head bounced off the field and he was slow to get up.”
Did Jalen Hurts’ Second-Quarter Hit Impact His Playing Ability?
Although this is hardly a a declaration from DiBona, who emphasizes this is speculative, rather than an accusation, he did see a correlation between the hit and the subsequent decline in performance on Sunday.
“Somehow, someway Hurts remained in the game and didn’t look like himself the rest of the way. Now I’m not going to say that Hurts definitely suffered a concussion but it was certainly a notable hit.
Hurts failed to complete a single pass in the second half as Philadelphia’s offense fell off a cliff. He was consistently off target with his throws and simply didn’t look like the same player that we saw in the first half of Week 4.”
It is impossible to draw a conclusion without having all of the necessary medical facts. Especially given that the former Super Bowl MVP went up against one of the better defensive schemers and game-planners in all of football, in Tampa Bay’s head coach, Todd Bowles.
But going from 15/16 to 0/8 demonstrates not just a second half dropoff caused by a lack of focus and execution, or superior in-game adjustments from the defense. It represents a total shift of momentum and power from one side of the ball to another.
Hopefully, for Hurts’ sake, it was just a second half blip of poor form that he can correct next weekend as the Eagles host the 2-2 Denver Broncos.
Steelers set to crush Dillon Gabriel in brutal AFC North welcome
The Browns’ rookie quarterback is in for a rude awakening in his first taste of divisional action.
Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel is reportedly set to make his maiden NFL start in Week 5. He’ll replace veteran Joe Flacco under center when the club travels across the pond to face the Minnesota Vikings in London, England.
CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz is under the “current belief” that the Browns will pivot from Flacco to Gabriel against the Vikings. Cleveland head coach Kevin Stefanski has been hesitant to make this move, though the team’s offensive shortcomings have ostensibly forced his hand. Nevertheless, looking past the international bout with Minnesota, a date with the rival Pittsburgh Steelers awaits the 2025 third-round selection.
Barring any unforeseen circumstances, a clash with the Steelers in Pittsburgh is on the docket for a Gabriel-led Browns squad in their ensuing contest. It’ll mark the 2024 Heisman Trophy finalist’s first taste of AFC North action; talk about a warm welcome to the division moment.
Browns rookie QB Dillon Gabriel in for rude awakening in first AFC North clash vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
The Black and Gold faithful will surely be on their best behavior when Gabriel takes the field in Pittsburgh — not.
Gabriel was touted out of college for carrying himself with moxie, in addition to having a pro-ready arm, strong pocket presence and plus mobility. However, the Steelers will put his self-belief to the test in ways he’s yet to experience.
Steelers fans in attendance figure to give Gabriel a hearty and boisterous crowd he’ll never forget. The goal is to rattle his confidence so much that the Browns wind up with their next bust of a draft pick. Strive to send a message that Cleveland’s annual trip to Acrisure Stadium is like stepping into the lion’s den.
Not only is Gabriel slated to enter a hostile environment, but he’ll be challenged with overcoming a fierce Steelers front seven. Perennial Defensive Player of the Year candidate T.J. Watt and Co. can generate pressure at will and get to the passer. Pittsburgh’s tied for the second-most sacks in football (14) through four games, highlighting their ability to make life difficult for an opposing signal-caller.
Pittsburgh’s knack for disruption is bad news for Gabriel and a Browns squad listed as Pro Football Focus’ No. 30-ranked pass-blocking unit ($). The undersized southpaw is barbecue chicken for Watt and his Steelers comrades. This truly feels like one of the more unenviable matchups imaginable for any young player getting their bearings in the league.
