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Alabama in the Pros

Jalen Hurts grabbed the NFL’s attention with his outing versus Falcons

Jalen Hurts with a pass on the run for Eagles versus Falcons
Dale Zanine - USA Today Sports

He talked about embracing the competition between Jalen Hurts and Joe Flacco in training camp; however, Nick Sirianni was doing the touchdown handshake with Hurts throughout the Philadelphia Eagles’ matchup against the Falcons.

Hurts took a lot of criticism in the offseason, but he was eager for Sunday’s game.

As a first-year starting quarterback, the former Alabama and Oklahoma star turned up the heat inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium. After he got benched in the second half of the 2018 College Football Playoff National Championship Game, the native Texan has had two positive moments at the venue.

RELATED: Mac Jones looked impressive in starting debut for Patriots, despite a loss

He led the Eagles to a dominant, 32-6 victory over Atlanta. Hurts outplayed Matt Ryan as he completed 27 of 35 passes (77.1 percent) for 264 yards and three touchdowns.

His scores went too DeVonta Smith, Jalen Reagor, and Dallas Goedert. Hurts targeted seven different receivers, and Smith was his leading man with six catches for 71 yards and a score. He guided the Eagles to four touchdown drives, while nine of his 27 completions went for first downs. Hurts also totaled 62 yards rushing on seven carries, netting an average of 8.9 yards per rush.

He recorded a passer rating of 126.4 and propelled Philadelphia to more first downs (24 to 19), total yards (434 to 260), and better efficiency on third down than the Falcons.

Many took to Twitter to express how impressed they were with Hurts’ performance, including his agent Nicole Lynn of Klutch Sports. 

He became the third quarterback in the history of the National Football League to complete 70% of his passes, have three touchdowns with no interceptions, pass for 250+ yards, and rush for 60+ yards in a game. Hurts is showing the professional landscape that he is a starting quarterback.

Things are about to get exciting in Philadelphia.

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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine.  You can “like” him on Facebook or “watch” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.

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Stephen Smith is a 2015 graduate of the University of Alabama. He is a senior writer and reporter for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. He has covered Alabama football for 15 years and his knowledge and coverage of the Crimson Tide's program have made him among the most respected journalist in his field. Smith has been featured on ESPN and several other marquee outlets as an analyst.

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