For each game he broadcasts during the 2024 NFL season all the way through Super Bowl LIX, FOX Sports lead NFL analyst Tom Brady is awarding his LFG Player of the Game to that one player he sees on the field who makes him say …
“LET’S F***ING GO!!!”
In Week 15, Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts took home the award after leading his team to a 27-13 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers. That extended the Eagles’ winning streak to 10 games, improving their record to 12-2 on the season as they just need one more win to clinch the NFC East. They also moved closer to potentially taking the No. 1 seed in the NFC with the Detroit Lions‘ loss to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday.
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Hurts, obviously, played a major role in the Eagles’ win on Sunday. He completed 25 of 32 passes for 290 yards and two touchdowns to go with 45 rushing yards and a rushing score.
Even though the Eagles have been consistently winning for the last couple of months, there was some internal friction involving Hurts earlier in the week. There were questions about his relationship with star wide receiver A.J. Brown after edge rusher Brandon Graham made comments about the two following their unimpressive win over the Carolina Panthers last week. They also ranked 31st in passing yards per game ahead of Week 15.
So, Hurts’ performance on Sunday was certainly a good response to all the drama in Philadelphia throughout the week. As Saquon Barkley had a quieter day (65 rushing yards), Hurts was happy to prove that the Eagles can win through the air, too.
“You know how it is playing this game and playing this position. It’s all about finding a rhythm and for all 11 to be on the same page when we go out on there and execute,” Hurts told Brady. “I think we were able to find a good rhythm, a rhythm that we hadn’t found for a long time this year. But that’s what great teams are able to do — win in multiple ways. I think we showed that we can win in this way as well. So, it was a great team win.”
Hurts’ two top receivers were the beneficiaries of his productive game through the air. Brown had eight receptions for 110 yards and a touchdown, while DeVonta Smith added 11 grabs for 109 yards and a score.
The big day for Hurts, Brown and Smith came after some conversations during the week when the offense wanted to get on the same page in order to achieve better success in the passing game.
“It’s all about continuity and building a rhythm and being on the same page,” Hurts said. “After everything we went through this week, we were able to find that. I think we were kind of forced to find that. But it was all for the better. So, when you have those different voices, rhythms and dynamics changing from year to year, it’s so important to find that and find that chemistry with the [offensive coordinator] and our vision and what we’re trying to do.
“I’m hoping we’re able to continue to trend in the right direction and be able to win football games in multiple ways moving forward.”
Hurts found success on the ground, too. He was second on the team in rushing, picking up first downs and a touchdown through the “Tush Push” on Sunday.
Brady, who was a bit of QB sneak extraordinaire during his playing career, was amazed by the play. He was also impressed by Hurts’ ability to take the punishment from such plays, wondering how sore he must feel the day after games.
“Monday morning’s fine, especially after a win,” Hurts told Brady. “You just said, that’s 10 wins in a row. That sounds amazing, but 11 sounds better.”
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