PHILADELPHIA -- Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts took matters into his own hands in critical moments Sunday, helping the new offense pass its first test in a 24-22 win over the Washington Commanders.
Hurts threw three touchdown passes and did not commit a turnover while operating offensive coordinator Sean Mannion's system for the first time in a game setting. For all the talk about how Hurts would look in a new scheme featuring more time under center, motion and throws over the middle than he's accustomed to, it was his improvisation that largely helped Philadelphia start things on a positive note.
"That's the beauty of having Jalen Hurts as your QB," left tackle Jordan Mailata said. "He is able to make plays when the play isn't there."
Take the first turning point of the game: a 64-yard completion to Dontayvion Wicks late in the first quarter. Wicks revealed afterward that he was running a clear-out route on the play. The Eagles repped the play four or five times during practice and Wicks wasn't targeted once, he later told ESPN.
The play was intended to go to Dallas Goedert on an intermediate route, but Hurts instead heaved it deep downfield for Wicks, who climbed past three defenders in the area and hauled in the pass.
"It was always getting out the way," Wicks said of his role on that play in practice. "But you never know, [No.] 1 might put it up there and you've got to go get it. He's building that trust. Getting to know him, we know what he's going to do -- he might throw it up."
Three plays later, Hurts fired a 17-yard touchdown pass to Goedert, his first of the day. Hurts put his palms up and shrugged at the sideline after tossing the TD pass, which came on a "Four Verts" call -- the same play he suggested, according to sources, on the last offensive play of the game in the Eagles' wild-card loss to the San Francisco 49ers to end last season.
"It's a great play," Hurts said with a telling smile when asked about his celebration. "Y'all will dig. Y'all will try to figure something out."
Hurts rose to the occasion again on third-and-18 midway through the fourth quarter with the Eagles nursing a one-point lead. Boos rained down following a second-down rollout and throwaway. The offense started the second half with three three-and-outs and was looking like its frustrating 2025 version for stretches.
But Hurts changed the mood at Lincoln Financial Field with a 22-yard run, setting up his second TD toss to Goedert, a 43-yard catch-and-run that proved to be the difference in the game.
"Yeah," Hurts said when asked if there are instances when he feels it's time to take over in a game. "But it's not something that's forced ... I think it's just about meeting the moment when your opportunity comes."
Hurts improved to 6-0 in season openers as a starter. This is the second time he has had three passing touchdowns in an opener (2021 at Atlanta).
