2. Jalen Hurts struggles against the healthy Giants defense
Jalen Hurts was an MVP candidate early this season, but he tailed off toward the end of the season. Hurts suffered a sprained shoulder in a Week 15 game against Chicago. The leader of the Birds returned for the Week 18 showdown against the Giants’ third stringers, and really struggled, completing just 20 of his 35 passes for 229 yards.
Hurts also rushed for just 13 yards, his second-lowest rushing output of the season, and was sacked three times. He also threw this horrendous interception:
Dane Belton makes the pick!
— Giants Videos (@SNYGiants) January 8, 2023
(via @Giants) pic.twitter.com/bzhn0JJSGo
Wink Martindale loves to bring pressure and Hurts has struggled against pressure. Prior to the game against Chicago where Hurts sprained his shoulder, his QBR against pressure was subpar, according to Aaron Schatz of Football Outsiders:
"“With pressure, Hurts drops to 25.5 in QBR, which ranks 12th. Take out scrambles, and Hurts drops even further to 10.7, which ranks 22nd in the league.”"
Wink is going to bring the house at Hurts this weekend, especially early in the game, testing his injured shoulder. Hurts’ shoulder looked like a serious problem against the Giants in Week 18, and it is likely still injured, which could limit his running and throwing abilities. Hurts will turn the ball over and post one of his worst passing lines of the season, putting all the pressure on the Eagles defense.