The Philadelphia Eagles are off to a scorching hot start to the regular season. While the Eagles are 6-2 and currently on a four-game winning streak, many are skeptical of Philadelphia’s legitimacy after last season’s embarrassing meltdown.
In 2023, the Eagles started the regular season 5-0 before losing seven of their last 13 games, including the postseason. While it’s fair to question Philadelphia’s impressive start in 2024, there are several encouraging factors that differentiate this current team from last season’s debacle.
Jalen Hurts Turning the Clocks Back to 2022, Not 2023
After a rocky start to the regular season, Eagles star quarterback Jalen Hurts has bounced back since Philadelphia’s bye week in Week 5. Through the first eight games this season, Hurts has already dealt with more adversity than he had to handle in 2023.
During last year’s 7-1 start, Hurts had his full supporting cast of offensive weapons. A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, and Dallas Goedert didn’t miss a game during Philadelphia’s impressive start.
Yet, through the first eight games this season, Brown and Goedert have each missed three games, and Smith has missed one.
Through the first eight games of the regular season in 2023, Hurts completed 68.4% of his passes for 2,140 yards, 13 touchdowns, eight interceptions, and an EPA (expected points added) per dropback of 0.10, according to TruMedia.
Despite all three of Philadelphia’s top receiving weapons missing time this year, Hurts is playing at an even higher level. He’s completed 69.8% of his passes for 1,774 yards, 10 touchdowns, four interceptions, and an EPA per dropback of 0.12.
Hurts’ completion percentage through the first eight games of this season is even higher than his MVP caliber performance in 2022. Despite losing to the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl 57, Hurts was named the third-best player in the NFL by his peers after that season.
The NFL know who Jalen Hurts is #Eagles nothing but RESPECT for his game!!
Number 3 on NFL top 100 pic.twitter.com/DZuZluybdK
— Philly Talk Podcast (@Philly_Mike25) August 8, 2023
It’s also worth noting that both Lane Johnson and Jordan Mailata have missed time this season as well. Therefore, Hurts is performing at an even higher level than last season despite working with significantly less talent and dealing with more adversity in 2024.
Hurts is also turning back the clocks to 2022 with his rushing ability. At the beginning of Philadelphia’s run to Super Bowl 57, he had 88 rushing attempts for 326 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns in the team’s first eight games. This season, Hurts has 86 rushing attempts for 322 rushing yards and eight rushing touchdowns in Philadelphia’s first eight games.
Following a few hiccups to start the regular season, Hurts is clearly returning to the MVP form that he showcased two years ago.
Eagles’ Stout Defense Is the Difference in 2024
Aside from offensive turnovers, the biggest factor in Philadelphia’s downward spiral last season was the team’s horrendous defense, which was further highlighted by an awkward late-season change at defensive coordinator.
While the Eagles hoped a change at DC would fix the team’s issues, it only exposed them further. After allowing 21.5 points per game in Philadelphia’s first eight games in 2023, the Eagles’ defense allowed 28.8 ppg in their final 10 games, including the postseason.
Philadelphia finished last season ranked among the league’s worst teams in several defensive categories. The Eagles allowed the third-most points per game (25.2), second-most passing yards per game (252.7), and seventh-most total yards per game (356.1).
Following last season’s collapse, the Eagles knew it was time to bring a true defensive leader to the City of Brotherly Love. Therefore, Philadelphia hired Vic Fangio to be the team’s defensive coordinator. And since arriving, he hasn’t disappointed.
Through the first eight games, Fangio’s unit ranks among the NFL‘s best in several defensive categories. The Eagles allow the third-fewest total yards per game (290.1), fifth-fewest rushing yards per game (101.1), seventh-fewest passing yards per game (189.0), and ninth-fewest points per game (19.4).
The most impressive part about Philadelphia’s defensive performance in 2024 is that the Eagles aren’t forcing turnovers at a high rate. But despite being tied for the third-fewest takeaways (7) in the NFL this season, Philadelphia’s defense remains elite.
Following a slow start to the regular season, Fangio’s defense is catching on fire at the right time. The Eagles have forced five turnovers in their last two games and will look to carry that momentum into a difficult slate of opponents over the next four weeks.