Tag: Hurts

Jan 21, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) runs against the New York Giants during an NFC divisional round game at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Futures faves: Preseason longshots Jalen Hurts, Eagles top Super Bowl futures board

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Hours before the first snap of the preseason in August, the odds on futures bets for Jalen Hurts as Super Bowl MVP and the Philadelphia Eagles claiming the Lombardi Trophy were astronomical.

Entering Championship Sunday in the NFL, Hurts and the Eagles are the favorites for those limited-life futures.

BetMGM lists Hurts at +300 for Super Bowl MVP, ahead of Patrick Mahomes (+325) of the Chiefs, Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (+350) and 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (+700). 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (+1400) is the leading non-QB for the award, one slot ahead of Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (+2500).

In August, Hurts was +4000, meaning a $20 wager for the Super Bowl MVP future to cash would’ve carried a payout of $800 on a winning ticket.

Recall the 2021 postseason run and Super Bowl appearance for the Cincinnati Bengals, who opened the regular season at +10000 to win the Super Bowl.

The Eagles didn’t climb quite that high from preseason to Sunday’s championship game, but FoxBet offered Philadelphia at +3500. FanDuel listed the Eagles at +2200 and Caesars set the odds at +2000.

At present, the Eagles have the best odds to win the Super Bowl among the NFL’s final four teams with BetMGM offering Philadelphia at +240 ahead of the Chiefs (+260), Bengals (+275) and 49ers (+350).

These markets are fluid and will fluctuate during and after the championship games this weekend. If live odds are offered and a wager is considered on a team to rally as the Chiefs did against the Buffalo Bills in the 2021 divisional round, take a gander at futures markets.

As of Friday, the Eagles are +230 at FanDuel, then the Chiefs (+260), Bengals (+270) and 49ers (+320).

Preseason Super Bowl MVP Odds (Caesars Sportsbook)
Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs (+750)
Aaron Rodgers, Packers (+800)
Josh Allen, Bills (+950)
Matthew Stafford, Rams (+1400)
Dak Prescott, Cowboys (+1600)
Joe Burrow, Bengals (+1600)
Lamar Jackson, Ravens (+1600)
Russell Wilson, Broncos (+2000)
Tom Brady, Buccaneers (+2000)
Kyler Murray, Cardinals (+2000)
Justin Herbert, Chargers (+2000)
Ryan Tannehill,Titans (+3000)
Jonathan Taylor, Colts (+3500)
Cooper Kupp, Rams (+3600)
Mac Jones, Patriots (+3800)
Travis Kelce, Chiefs (+3800)
Kirk Cousins, Vikings (+3800)
Aaron Donald, Rams (+4000)
Ja’Marr Chase, Bengals (+4000)
Jalen Hurts, Eagles (+4000)
Derrick Henry, Titans (+4000)
Derek Carr, Raiders (+4400)
Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins (+4500)

–Field Level Media

Nov 9, 2019; Norman, OK, USA; Iowa State Cyclones quarterback Brock Purdy (15) throws during the second half against the Oklahoma Sooners at Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Eagles’ Jalen Hurts, 49ers’ Brock Purdy recall epic college shootout

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Jalen Hurts and Brock Purdy are familiar foes, having met in one of the most exciting games of the 2019 college football season as Big 12 rivals.

The quarterbacks accounted for 11 of that game’s 12 touchdowns as No. 9 Oklahoma held off visiting Iowa State 42-41.

Hurts, the Eagles’ No. 1 quarterback and a finalist for NFL MVP honors, was the quarterback of the No. 9 Sooners. Oklahoma held a 21-point lead entering the fourth quarter.

Purdy, the impressive San Francisco 49ers rookie who entered the starting lineup due to injuries, impressively rallied Iowa State to 20 fourth-quarter points to make it a one-point game with 24 seconds left. The Cyclones went for the win but Purdy’s two-point conversion pass was intercepted.

“You had to score almost every time you had the ball almost,” Purdy recalled. “It’s a different situation and scenario than we’re about to do on Sunday. It was a fun college game, it was a great experience to go up against Jalen and they had a great team. He was making plays and I felt we had to do the same as well.”

Purdy accounted for six touchdowns (five passing, one running) and threw for 268 yards and rushed for 55 more. Hurts passed for 273 yards and three touchdowns and added 68 yards and two scores on the ground.

Hurts also has vivid memories of that game, and he’s not surprised Purdy, a seventh-round draft pick, is undefeated in seven career NFL starts, including two this postseason.

“I have a lot of respect for him,” Hurts said. “He’s always been a really good player. He has a lot of moxie, he makes plays and he’s been doing this since college so it’s not a surprise that when he was given this opportunity to see the success he’s having now.”

–Field Level Media

Jan 22, 2023; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) throws during the first quarter of a NFC divisional round game against the Dallas Cowboys at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Eagles plot to end storybook run of 49ers’ Brock Purdy

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Brock Purdy emerged out of nowhere to become just the third rookie quarterback to win his first two postseason starts.

However, a bigger prize looms on the horizon when the San Francisco 49ers play in the NFC Championship Game for the third time in four seasons, visiting the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday.

Purdy will be striving to lead the second-seeded 49ers to their second Super Bowl in the past four seasons. His rise from the 262nd and last pick in the NFL draft to unbeaten in seven career starts is becoming legendary stuff. But his coolness and poise are what resonates with teammates.

“He doesn’t care if he messes up,” San Francisco receiver Deebo Samuel said. “If he does, he’s going to go full speed and we’ll talk about it at the end of the day.

“I have seen him grow throughout the whole year from zero snaps to being the starter of this team.”

Injuries to Trey Lance (ankle) and Jimmy Garoppolo (foot) created an opportunity, and Purdy has cashed in with playoff wins over the Seattle Seahawks and Dallas Cowboys. Joe Flacco of the Baltimore Ravens in 2008-09 and Mark Sanchez of the New York Jets in 2009-10 are the other rookies to win their first two playoff starts.

Coach Nick Sirianni of the top-seeded Eagles is impressed with Purdy’s rise and said his club studied the former Iowa State star during his college career.

“You do your homework on everybody,” Sirianni said. “Then a guy that has won as many games and has as many records as he does, of course you’re going to do your homework on him. He had a really good college tape for sure and he has a good pro tape. He’s done a nice job since he’s gotten in this league.”

Philadelphia’s defense, which ranked second in total defense (301.5 yards per game) in the regular season, will be the best Purdy has faced. Counting the postseason, the Eagles have racked up 75 sacks, third most in NFL history. The only two higher outputs came from the mid-1980s Chicago Bears, who had a record 82 in 1984 and 80 in 1985.

Eagles linebacker Haason Reddick (16 sacks), defensive ends Brandon Graham (11) and Josh Sweat (11) and defensive tackle Javon Hargrave (11) all established career highs for sacks. The defense also includes tackle Fletcher Cox (seven sacks) and safety C.J. Johnson-Gardner, who tied for the league lead with six interceptions.

Also part of the equation is the raucous Philadelphia crowd, which will provide noise.

“In these games, it all comes back to communication,” Purdy said. “How can you operate smoothly, get in and out of the huddle, get the play off in the right way and make sure everybody is on the same page. It’s definitely a big emphasis this week.”

The Eagles feature NFL MVP finalist Jalen Hurts at quarterback, an elite runner who has turned into a strong thrower. Hurts passed for 22 touchdowns and rushed for 13 during the regular season.

Hurts threw for two scores and ran for one as Philadelphia routed the New York Giants 38-7 in the NFC divisional round.

Hurts expects a strong test from the 49ers, who led the NFL in total defense (300.6 yards per game) and scoring defense (16.3 points per game). San Francisco defensive end Nick Bosa (NFL-high 18.5 sacks) is a finalist for Defensive Player of the Year honors.

“They’re really good across the board,” Hurts said. “It starts out with their front seven and then adding a really good defensive back group. They fly to the ball at every position and they’re well-coached. We have a task in front of us and a really big challenge.”

The Eagles are in the NFC title game for the first time since the 2017-18 season when they went on to win the Super Bowl.

Philadelphia listed just two players as limited after Wednesday’s walkthrough: offensive tackle Lane Johnson (groin) and cornerback Avonte Maddox (toe).

San Francisco’s top two running backs — Christian McCaffrey (calf) and Elijah Mitchell (groin) — both missed Wednesday’s practice. So did Garoppolo, who isn’t expected to play.

Samuel and cornerback Ambry Thomas were both limited due to ankle injuries. Defensive end Charles Omenihu (oblique) also was limited two days after he was arrested on suspicion of misdemeanor domestic violence.

San Francisco coach Kyle Shanahan said Omenihu would play Sunday if healthy.

–Field Level Media

Jan 8, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) runs with the ball in front of New York Giants linebacker Tomon Fox (49) during the third quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Eagles QB Jalen Hurts rested, ready for Giants

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Quarterback Jalen Hurts use his bye week wisely to be ready for work as the Philadelphia Eagles hit the practice field Tuesday.

Hurts said he rested and reviewed his two regular-season wins over the New York Giants to prepare for the NFC Divisional playoff meeting Saturday.

“We put ourselves in this position by what we did all season, the consistency we had all season and the focus,” Hurts said. “I don’t think anything changes in terms of the process. The process remains the same … but the standard rises.”

Hurts sprained his right shoulder Dec. 18, meaning he’ll be five weeks removed from the initial injury when the No. 1 seed in the NFC hosts the divisional rival Giants in prime time Saturday. Hurts missed two games and returned to the lineup Jan. 8 to help the Eagles clinch the first-round bye and homefield advantage.

Head coach Nick Sirianni didn’t allow Hurts to throw in the team’s full practice last Thursday. He said the decision was precautionary with progress toward complete health for Saturday the main objective.

“(Hurts) is better than he was two weeks ago,” Sirianni said Tuesday, before Hurts was to be on the practice field without a limited designated for the first time since Dec. 16.

Philadelphia won the first meeting vs. the Giants 48-22 and took the Week 18 regular-season finale 22-16.

Cumulatively, Hurts had 16 carries for 90 yards and a touchdown, threw two TD passes and was intercepted once. But the Giants recorded seven sacks of Hurts in the defeats, which brings up the question of how much he can handle physically.

“It’s football, I got a bounty on me every week. I just gotta go out there and play my game,” Hurts said.

Giants head coach Brian Daboll knows exactly what he expects from Hurts, one of his prized pupils during one year working with Alabama head coach Nick Saban. In 2017, Daboll was a Tuscaloosa resident and on Alabama’s staff for the Crimson Tide’s national title win. During the championship game, Saban benched Hurts for Tua Tagovailoa.

“Tremendous person first and foremost. Highly competitive, extremely smart, great leader. He means a lot to me,” Daboll said. “He’s a winner. He’s a leader at that position. I think he can galvanize a locker room, which obviously he’s done. He’s made every throw he’s had to make. He’s tough to bring down when he runs, whether it’s designed runs or scrambles. He’s just gotten better and better. He’s as competitive and mentally tough as I’ve ever been around. Nothing rattles him.”

–Field Level Media

Dec 18, 2022; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) rushes for a two point conversion in the fourth quarter against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Bartel-USA TODAY Sports

Eagles QB Jalen Hurts ‘trending in right direction’ for Sunday

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Needing a win to clinch the No. 1 seed in the NFC, the Philadelphia Eagles appear likely to have their QB1 back Sunday.

Jalen Hurts, out with a shoulder injury since Dec. 18, worked with the first-team offense in Thursday’s practice.

While he was officially listed as limited, teammates said all signs indicate the Eagles (13-3) expect Hurts to start against the visiting New York Giants (9-6-1).

Head coach Nick Sirianni wouldn’t go quite that far before Friday’s practice but said “it’s trending in the right direction.”

Sirianni said Friday’s practice would be one indicator of what the team would do Sunday. Signs continued to build that the Giants, who clinched a wild-card spot but can’t improve their standing regardless of the outcome in the NFC East rivalry game, would be rolling out a backup-dominated lineup.

Hurts has missed the past two games. The Eagles dropped both with backup quarterback Gardner Minshew under center.

Eagles No. 1 wide receiver A.J. Brown said Thursday that Hurts was knocking off some rust, but there was a noticeable pep he appreciated.

“We are all excited to see him back. He is locked in for sure,” Brown said. “He definitely had a tempo about him today. He was telling guys, come on, hurry up. I’m glad he’s back.”

Tight end Dallas Goedert said Hurts was sharp and said teammates won’t doubt the “fierce competitor” playing Sunday with the top seed and a first-round bye on the line.

“He definitely wants to be out there. He looked good, he looked like he hasn’t missed anything,” Goedert said. “The balls look good coming out of his hand, his reads were good.”

Safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson could also play Sunday. Gardner-Johnson and defensive end Robert Quinn have been designated to return from injured reserve, opening their 21-day practice window to rejoin the active roster. A roster move would be required to bring either player up for Sunday’s game.

–Field Level Media

Dec 18, 2022; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) passes the ball in the fourth quarter against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Bartel-USA TODAY Sports

Eagles QB Jalen Hurts (shoulder) remains day to day

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Quarterback Jalen Hurts remains day to day with a shoulder injury but two key defensive players will return to practice for the Philadelphia Eagles, who can clinch the No. 1 seed in the NFC with a win in Week 18.

The Eagles host the New York Giants on Sunday with the NFC East on the line as well.

Hurts has missed the past two games and the Eagles have dropped both with backup quarterback Gardner Minshew under center.

However, safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson and defensive end Robert Quinn have been designated to return from injured reserve, opening their 21-day practice window to rejoin the active roster.

Eagles coach Nick Siranni said the team will know more about Hurts’ status Thursday, adding that the team is having a walkthrough on Wednesday. Hurts will participate in the walkthrough.

“Tomorrow we’ll see a little bit more because we’ll be more than a walkthrough, we’ll be practicing and so we’ll get a better idea here in the next couple days,” Sirianni said Wednesday.

NFL Network has reported that Hurts is expected to play against the Giants.

Hurts injured his right (throwing) shoulder against the Chicago Bears on Dec. 18.

Hurts has passed for 3,472 yards, 22 touchdowns and five interceptions, and rushed for 747 yards and 13 scores in 14 games.

Minshew has passed for 663 yards and three touchdowns while also tossing three interceptions.

Quinn was placed on IR early last month after injuring his knee in practice. He underwent a procedure.

A three-time Pro Bowl selection, Quinn has two tackles, two quarterback hits and no sacks in five games since arriving in an Oct. 26 trade with the Bears.

Gardner-Johnson sustained a lacerated kidney in the team’s Week 12 game against Green Bay. Acquired in an Aug. 30 trade with the New Orleans Saints, Gardner-Johnson started 11 games for the Eagles and has 60 tackles and one sack along with the career-high six interceptions.

Sirianni also said that defensive end Josh Sweat was at the practice facility Wednesday after sustaining a neck injury in last week’s loss to New Orleans. He was taken to the hospital but released Sunday night. Sweat is day to day, Sirianni said. Sweat has a career-high 11 sacks and 48 tackles in 16 starts this season.

–Field Level Media

Dec 18, 2022; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) passes the ball in the fourth quarter against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Bartel-USA TODAY Sports

QB Jalen Hurts back in mix? Philly ‘sorting through’ decision

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts threw the ball with velocity and accuracy in Thursday’s practice, opening the door for his return from a sprained shoulder on Sunday.

Philadelphia (13-2) hosts the New Orleans Saints (6-9) with a chance to wrap up the NFC East division title and conference home-field advantage, which brings the only first-round bye in the NFC.

Backup quarterback Gardner Minshew started in Hurts’ spot in the Christmas Eve loss to the Dallas Cowboys (12-4), who won Thursday night to remain in the hunt for the division crown.

Minshew took the majority of the first-team reps last week. Hurts practiced in a limited fashion Thursday.

“His health is always taken into consideration first,” Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said Friday. “Is it safe for him to be out there? And then from there you do what’s best for the team. We’re still sorting through that. Obviously Jalen had a good practice (Thursday), went out and did some things really well.”

How Hurts responds physically from ramping up football activity and throwing Thursday, and whether he remains limited Friday, will be key indicators of the direction Sirianni will take. Another factor could be the right tackle position. Starter Lane Johnson (abdomen) is out.

However, Sirianni said last week Hurts is “the toughest guy I’ve been around” and pushed to play against Dallas.

Sirianni took several opportunities to chirp toward the gathered media at Thursday’s practice with playful messages reminding reporters that he wasn’t exaggerating Hurts’ toughness.

“I told ya!” the coach bellowed several times.

Minshew filled in last week and threw for 355 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions.

Hurts is part of the conversation for NFL MVP honors due to his stellar season. He has passed for 3,472 yards, 22 touchdowns and five interceptions, and rushed for 747 yards and 13 scores in 14 games.

Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady said Thursday he has become a fan of Hurts.

“He’s a great young player,” Brady said. “He’s throwing the ball well, running it well, sneaking it well. They’re scoring touchdowns, they got a great team.”

–Field Level Media

Dec 18, 2022; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) walks off the field after the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Bartel-USA TODAY Sports

Eagles QB Jalen Hurts (shoulder) practices in limited role

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts was a limited practice participant on Thursday, the first time he has worked on the field since injuring his right shoulder against the Chicago Bears on Dec. 18.

Hurts tested his sprained passing shoulder in individual drills during the portion of the practice open to the media. According to reports, he threw short and intermediate passes with sufficient velocity.

Eagles coach Nick Sirianni remains unsure if Hurts has a chance at playing on Sunday when Philadelphia (13-2) hosts the New Orleans Saints (6-9).

Hurts missed the Eagles’ 40-34 loss to the Dallas Cowboys last Saturday due to the injury. Gardner Minshew filled in and threw for 355 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions.

Hurts is part of the conversation for NFL MVP honors due to his stellar season. He has passed for 3,472 yards, 22 touchdowns and five interceptions and added 747 yards and 13 scores on the ground in 14 games.

–Field Level Media

Oct 30, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Gardner Minshew (10) and head coach Nick Sirianni runs off the field after win against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Eagles to start QB Gardner Minshew with Hurts hurting

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Gardner Minshew gets the start for the Philadelphia Eagles on Saturday at Dallas with Jalen Hurts requiring more time to heal from a shoulder sprain, head coach Nick Sirianni said Thursday morning.

“Gardner will be ready,” Sirianni said. “Gardner will be our guy. Gardner worked his butt off to be ready for this opportunity against a really good football team. He had a great practice (Wednesday) and I think you guys have all heard how good a practice he had, lots of energy out there. He’s ready to go.”

Hurts “did everything he possibly could to get his body ready to go” and still wants to start, Sirianni said, classifying Hurts as the “toughest player I’ve ever been around.”

Without Hurts, the Eagles (13-1) are underdogs at Dallas with a chance to seal up the top seed in the NFC. Minshew can help set the franchise mark for single-season wins and deal the Cowboys a setback with playoff implications.

The role isn’t foreign to Minshew, who went 7-13 as the starter for the Jacksonville Jaguars, and teammates cited his energy and accuracy as reasons for optimism after Wednesday’s practice.

Sirianni also said tight end Dallas Goedert was trending in the right direction to play for the first time in four weeks. He was placed on injured reserve with a shoulder injury against Washington in Week 10.

“It’s an early Christmas present for me,” Goedert said. “Dallas and Dallas has a nice ring to it!”

Hurts, one of eight Eagles named to the Pro Bowl on Wednesday, rushed for 61 yards and three touchdowns while passing for 315 yards to lead the visiting Eagles to a 25-20 win at Chicago on Sunday, but came out of that win with a sprained shoulder. His timetable to return is unclear.

The Cowboys are familiar with Minshew, who started the regular-season finale for Philadelphia against Dallas last season. The Cowboys won the game 56-21 as part of Dallas’ season sweep of the Eagles.

–Field Level Media

Dec 18, 2022; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) walks off the field after the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Bartel-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: Shoulder sprain could sideline Eagles QB Jalen Hurts

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Jalen Hurts could miss the NFC East matchup with the Dallas Cowboys due to a shoulder sprain, with the Philadelphia Eagles prepping Gardner Minshew to start at quarterback this week, reports said Monday.

Hurts and the Eagles are 13-1 and in the driver’s seat for the division title and top seed in the conference. Hurts rushed for 61 yards and three touchdowns while passing for 315 yards to lead the visiting Eagles to a 25-20 win at Chicago on Sunday.

NFL Network reported the injury is not long term and ESPN shared the same details, adding the Eagles are likely to rest Hurts until he’s fully healthy.

Hurts was intercepted twice after throwing three interceptions in the first 13 games this season.

Dallas lost 40-34 in overtime to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday. The Cowboys (10-4) clinched a playoff spot with the Washington Commanders’ loss to the New York Giants.

The Eagles won the first meeting between the teams this season after Dallas swept the 2021 series with a pair of victories by 20-plus points.

Multiple sportsbooks took the line for Philadelphia-Dallas off the board. The Cowboys, originally narrow favorites, swung to -6.0 at Caesars Sportsbook.

–Field Level Media