The Philadelphia Eagles have the best record in the NFL through Week 12, standing at 10-1. One of the reasons has been Jalen Hurts, who is the current betting favorite to win the NFL MVP Award.
Not everyone believes Hurts should be the favorite, though. NFL analyst Emmanuel Acho doesn’t believe he’s fully looked the part, sharing his opinion on TV this week.
What did he say?
Emmanuel Acho Says Jalen Hurts Hasn’t Looked Like an MVP Favorite
In 2023, Jalen Hurts passed for 2,697 yards, 18 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. He has also rushed for 410 yards and 11 touchdowns. This is Hurts’ third year as the starting quarterback for the Eagles.
MORE: Philadelphia Eagles Playoff-Clinching Scenarios
“Jalen Hurts still doesn’t look the part … I’m watching the game both as an analyst, but I’m also watching as a former football player, and I’m like, ‘Jalen Hurts doesn’t look that good,’ he just doesn’t,” Acho said on Speak, a show that plays on FS1 every week.
“Jalen Hurts still doesn’t look the part… I’m watching the game both as an analyst but I’m also watching as a former football player and I’m like Jalen Hurts doesn’t look that good, he just doesn’t. You look at Josh Allen and you’re like ‘oh my god.’”
– Emmanuel Acho on Eagles… pic.twitter.com/gtbrhZUsrO
— Philadelphia Eagles Central (@pheaglescentral) November 28, 2023
Hurts has been in the NFL since 2020 when he was drafted in the second round out of Oklahoma. Since being drafted, he has passed for 10,603 yards, 62 touchdowns, and 29 interceptions. He has also rushed for 2,308 yards and 37 touchdowns.
Hurts, as the favorite, has +150 odds to win MVP, according to FOX Sports. He is ahead of Patrick Mahomes, Dak Prescott, Lamar Jackson, Tua Tagoailoa, and Brock Purdy, who all have +1400 or better odds.
Mahomes, Prescott, and Tagovailoa all have more passing touchdowns with the same or fewer interceptions. Hurts has the advantage of rushing over each, though.
The Eagles and Hurts have drawn the attention of many with their infamous quarterback sneak, also known as ‘The Brotherly Shove.’ The shove has been responsible for the majority of Hurts’ rushing touchdowns.
.@EmmanuelAcho, a league MVP voter, gives us his *unofficial* MVP ballot with 6 weeks remaining of the @NFL season. pic.twitter.com/l7D4Wo0EPD
— Speak (@SpeakOnFS1) November 28, 2023
Over the offseason, Hurts signed a five-year, $255 million contract, including a $23 million signing bonus with $179 million in guaranteed. He ranks fifth among the highest-paid quarterbacks, in terms of average per year.
Hurts is coming off a performance against the Buffalo Bills in which he had 265 total yards, five total touchdowns, and one interception. The game resulted in an overtime win. The Eagles will now face the San Francisco 49ers, one of the NFL’s best defenses, on Dec. 3.
Though Acho didn’t express full satisfaction in Hurts’ play this season, he did follow it up with some support in a later segment, listing him first on his MVP ballot.
Want to predict the rest of the 2023 season with our FREE NFL Playoff Predictor? Looking for the most up-to-date NFL standings? What about a breakdown of team depth charts or the NFL schedule? Pro Football Network has you covered with that and more!