Hurts throws for 4 TDs on injured knee to help the Eagles beat the Commanders and improve to 7-1

LANDOVER, Md.  — - As he cautiously returned to the peloton after an initial run, it was clear that Jalen Hurts was hampered by a left knee injury. Despite everything, he persevered and led the Philadelphia Eagles to another victory. 

 Hurts threw for 319 yards and four touchdowns, including two  to A.J.Brown and the reigning NFC champions defeated the Washington Commanders 38-31 on Sunday. Behind their  franchise quarterback, the Eagles improved to 7-1 and showed further proof that they are a Super Bowl contender by overcoming a double-digit deficit. 

 “We’re just enjoying the ride,” said Hurts, who didn’t want to talk about how his knee was feeling. “Of course we would like to stop at the end, but it's just a journey. You really need to understand this process."

 When Hurts was asked about the knee, he just said "here." Brown and coach Nick Sirianni didn't say a word to him about the injury, but fondly recalled how Hurts battled the injury in one of his best games  

 ""I know he's tough, but I won't always know it “Because he doesn’t tell me how he feels because he always wants to,” Sirianni said. "That's what you want from a quarterback, from a leader, and he played brilliantly." " 

 Hurts was often hesitant to run, completing 29 of 38 passes, including touchdown throws to DeVonta Smith and Julio Jones.Before he took a knee twice to end the game, his 7-yard run on two attempts was pathetic; at least as of December 26, 2021 

 One of those drives was a tush-push attempt when Hurts fumbled at the Washington 1-yard line, one of two Philadelphia turnovers in the 5. Kenneth Gainwell drew a foul at the 4 in the first time . 

 “I didn’t get the photo,” Hurts said of his mistake."I didn't protect the ball well enough, and that's what happened." 

 With little action on the field, Hurts had plenty of passing opportunities, starting with Brown, who became the first player in NFL history to do more in six consecutive games than ran for 125 yards. Brown made a phenomenal one-handed catch on his first touchdown and caught the ball on a double safety for his second touchdown. 

 “I literally made it in practice on Friday,” Brown said of his one-handed catch in the end zone. “It was the same corner and everything.My teammates said, “I’m not surprised. » 

 After  Sam Howell allowed 24 passes in the first half, Philadelphia's defense responded later in the game. Reed Blankenship intercepted Howell in the fourth quarter and Haason Reddick sacked him with just over two minutes left. The first part of the game: setting the stage for DéAndre Swift's tank destroyer race.