Jalen Hurts’ downfield passing offers hope for struggling Eagles
Jalen Hurts’ downfield passing offers hope for struggling Eagles
Glenn Erby , Eagles WireSun, October 4, 2026 at 12:21 AM UTC
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Philadelphia’s offensive struggles have overshadowed an encouraging part of Jalen Hurts’ early-season performance. When the Eagles quarterback attacks beyond the short passing game, he has produced at a rate that places him near the top of the NFL. Entering Week 4, Hurts is averaging 14.6 yards per attempt on throws traveling at least 10 air yards. Only Joe Burrow, at 14.8, and Josh Allen, at 14.7, rank ahead of him.
Downfield efficiency offers something to build around
The statistic does not erase Philadelphia’s slow starts, turnovers, or inconsistent execution. It does show that the Eagles have generated meaningful production when Hurts pushes the ball farther downfield.
These are throws of at least 10 air yards, a category that includes intermediate attempts alongside deeper passes. That distinction matters when evaluating how Philadelphia can build on the success. The answer does not have to be a steady diet of low-percentage shots.
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Better protection, cleaner timing, and favorable early-down situations could give Hurts more opportunities to attack those areas without forcing the offense into difficult decisions.
DeVonta Smith’s absence creates another test
With Smith ruled out against the Rams, the Eagles must find ways to preserve that production through Dontayvion Wicks, Makai Lemon, and their complementary targets.
The challenge is turning an encouraging passing split into a more consistent offensive performance. Hurts has demonstrated that Philadelphia can gain substantial yardage beyond the short area. Maintaining that efficiency with a depleted receiving group would give the Eagles a stronger chance to rebound Sunday.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Jalen Hurts’ downfield passing offers hope for struggling Eagles
Source: “AOL Sports”
