Jalen Hurts has been scrutinized for his playoff performances as the Philadelphia Eagles eye another Super Bowl run. He’s led the team to a 14-3 record this season, but critics are questioning whether Hurts can carry the offense when it matters most. So far, he hasn’t had to.
NFL analyst Danny Parkins chimed in on the discourse, claiming Hurts has been more of a complementary piece than a driving force in Philadelphia’s postseason success.
Danny Parkins Gives Verdict on Jalen Hurts
“In his playoff wins, he has not been good at passing the ball,” Parkins said on “Breakfast Ball.” “His best playoff game came in a loss to the Chiefs. Sure, he’s contributing, but he’s not the reason the Eagles are winning those games.”
Parkins believes that Hurts benefits from a strong supporting cast and an offense built around minimizing risks, particularly with plays like the infamous “tush push.”
Mark Schlereth, being a former offensive player himself, replied, “Is he playing good? He’s not playing great. But they don’t need him to play great, right? Do they need him to throw for 300 yards? No.
“They’re 14-3, and they won a playoff game with these statistics — he’s thrown one time for 300 yards, and it was in September that he threw for 300 yards. So that’s not their [Eagles] game. Their game is, ‘Hey Jalen, don’t turn the ball over. Possess the ball. Be judicious with your decisions and feed Saquon Barkley.'”
"In Jalen Hurts' playoff wins, he's not been good passing the ball. You're not winning your playoff games because of him." — @DannyParkins@markschlereth: "He's not playing great, but they don't need him to play great."
Danny and Stink on Hurts in the playoffs 👀⬇️ pic.twitter.com/IJkb5dCJxK
— Breakfast Ball (@BrkfstBallOnFS1) January 16, 2025
Hurts’ numbers this postseason were the basis of this conversation. In the Eagles’ Wild Card victory over the Green Bay Packers, he posted career-worst playoff marks, including a -0.07 EPA per dropback and converting 14.3% of third downs.
These struggles came despite his regular-season success, where he ranked fourth in regular-season QB+ with a score of 88.7. However, Hurts has struggled under pressure all season, ranking 22nd in EPA per dropback when facing the rush.
Head coach Nick Sirianni has relied on a run-heavy offense, defining Philadelphia’s identity this season. In turn, running back Saquon Barkley ran for 2,000 yards. Hurts threw a career-low 25 pass attempts per game. Still, Hurts has shown flashes of brilliance.
His performance in the 2022 Super Bowl, where he threw for 304 yards and accounted for four total touchdowns, is a testament to his potential. And in clutch situations — fourth quarter, one-score games — Hurts leads the NFL with 0.52 EPA per dropback. It’s clear he has the tools to succeed, but questions linger about his consistency in high-pressure moments and whether Sirianni’s system allows him to play his natural game.
As the Eagles march toward another deep playoff run, Hurts is at a crossroads. Will he silence the critics and prove he’s more than a game manager, or will his supporting cast have to bail him out? The Philadelphia faithful may learn something about their quarterback on Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams.
