Jalen Hurts threw a costly interception and fumbled the ball late in the Eagles' season-opening loss, highlighting the team's ongoing struggles.
The Philadelphia Eagles' hopes of starting the new season on a positive note were dashed in their opening game on Sunday, as quarterback Jalen Hurts committed two crucial errors that proved costly in a disappointing loss to the Detroit Lions.
Hurts' first mistake came late in the third quarter, when he threw an interception to Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone. The pick gave the Lions possession at the Eagles' 33-yard line, leading to a field goal that extended Detroit's lead to 10-3.
Eagles Start Season with Disastrous Hurts Errors
The second error occurred in the fourth quarter, when Hurts fumbled the ball at the Lions' 10-yard line. The fumble was recovered by Lions defensive lineman John Penisini and returned 15 yards, putting the Eagles in a difficult position to score.
Hurts' turnovers were emblematic of the struggles that the Eagles faced throughout the game. The offense was unable to sustain drives, and the defense was unable to generate enough pressure on Lions quarterback Jared Goff. The result was a lopsided 38-35 defeat.
The Eagles' poor performance in their season opener is a reminder of the challenges that they face as they try to bounce back from a disappointing 2023 season. The team lost six of its last seven games last year, and many of the same issues that plagued the Eagles then were evident in their first game of 2024.
The offensive line is still a major concern, Hurts is still struggling with his accuracy and decision-making, and the defense is still unable to create turnovers. These issues will need to be addressed if the Eagles want to have any chance of contending for a playoff berth.
For now, the Eagles are left to pick up the pieces and try to regroup. They will have a tough task ahead of them, as they face the Minnesota Vikings in their home opener next week. The Vikings are one of the most talented teams in the NFC, so the Eagles will need to play their best game to avoid a 0-2 start.
Here are some additional takeaways from the Eagles' season-opening loss:
* Miles Sanders had a strong game for the Eagles, rushing for 96 yards on 20 carries.
* DeVonta Smith led the Eagles in receiving with 85 yards on seven catches.
* The Eagles' defense struggled to contain the Lions' passing attack, allowing Goff to throw for 334 yards and three touchdowns.
* The Eagles had 11 penalties for 89 yards, which contributed to their struggles.
* The Eagles will need to make significant improvements if they want to have any chance of winning the NFC East this season.
