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Eagles’ Jalen Hurts was too inconsistent in win over Packers | Is there cause for concern?
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Eagles’ Jalen Hurts was too inconsistent in win over Packers | Is there cause for concern?

Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts’ strong performance this summer did not carry over into Week 1.

Hurts threw two interceptions and made other fumbles in the Eagles’ 34-29 victory over the Green Bay Packers on Friday at Corinthians Arena in São Paulo, Brazil.

During training camp, Hurts made good decisions, was accurate, and seemed comfortable in new offensive coordinator Kellen Moore’s system. He didn’t throw a single interception until the last practice.

This version of Hurts was not used against the Packers.

On the first drive of the game, Hurts dropped back into the end zone and threw a deep ball to wide receiver DeVonta Smith, which was intercepted by Packers safety Xavier McKinney at Philadelphia’s 36-yard line. Smith failed to break away, so the ball should never have been thrown.

Hurts struggled on the Eagles’ first drive of the fourth quarter.

He lost three yards on first-and-10 at Green Bay’s 11-yard line. Then he nearly threw a pick-six to Packers cornerback Keisean Nixon on the second attempt.

On the third attempt, he threw the ball over his body into the end zone and the ball hovered in the air for a long time before Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander intercepted it. Had Hurts made a better decision, the Eagles could have extended their 31-26 lead.

Instead, the Packers stormed the field on the ensuing drive and scored a field goal, ending the game with a two-point lead (31-29) with less than eight minutes left.

When the Eagles got the ball back, Hurts nearly threw another interception to Alexander on second-and-7 at their own 47-yard line, but wide receiver AJ Brown recovered the ball and prevented the score.

At the end of the drive, the Eagles scored a field goal with 27 seconds left and took a 34-29 lead.

Overall, Hurts completed 20 of 34 passes for 278 yards and two touchdowns. He had some good moments, including a 67-yard touchdown pass to Brown in the third quarter and an 18-yard touchdown pass to running back Saquon Barkley in the second quarter, but he was far too inconsistent.

The Packers also held Hurts to 33 rushing yards and forced him to make difficult throws from the pocket.

According to NextGenStats, Hurts completed 15 of 21 passes for 212 yards and two touchdowns when the Eagles used motion. Without motion, he completed 5 of 13 for 66 yards and two interceptions. Perhaps Hurts works better when he moves more before the snap.

Last season, Hurts threw 15 interceptions and lost five fumbles, which was one of the reasons for the Eagles’ lack of offensive efficiency.

Hurts needs to make fewer turnovers and better decisions this season. While he made enough plays to win the game, Hurts also put players in too many bad situations.

Hurts has a chance to play better against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 2. If he continues to make poor decisions against Atlanta, that would be concerning.

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