Jalen Hurts Battled Flu-Like Symptoms in Gritty Eagles Victory
In a Monday night showdown that saw the Philadelphia Eagles soar to a resounding 25-11 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, quarterback Jalen Hurts proved that determination knows no bounds. Despite battling flu-like symptoms, Hurts led his team to victory in a game that held special significance for him, showcasing his unwavering commitment to the Eagles' cause.
Hurts, speaking after the game, confirmed that he had played through the challenging conditions brought on by flu-like symptoms. "Just us executing," Hurts remarked, describing the team's approach to overcoming adversity. "It's not the first time I've dealt with this or had to play with something like this. And it always happens on Monday night for whatever reason."
Interestingly, Hurts was not alone in his struggle. Center Jason Kelce revealed that several Eagles players had also been under the weather leading up to the game. "It feels like everyone in the world is right now," Kelce quipped. "It's kind of ramping up again. We had a lot of guys on the team this week... it's maybe that time of year in Philly."
Despite the challenging circumstances, the Eagles' offense performed admirably, amassing an impressive 472 yards. The team was propelled by stellar performances from running back D'Andre Swift, who rushed for 130 yards, and wide receiver A.J. Brown, who hauled in nine catches for 131 yards.
Adding a touch of humor to the situation, Eagles defensive end Brandon Graham playfully suggested that Hurts, who recently signed with Nike's Jordan brand, was trying to emulate the legendary Michael Jordan. Jordan famously scored 38 points for the Chicago Bulls in a crucial NBA Finals game against the Utah Jazz in 1997 while battling illness. While Hurts' performance may not have reached such epic proportions, he did provide several glimpses of brilliance during the game, including a touchdown pass and a rushing touchdown.
For Jalen Hurts, returning to Tampa held significant meaning. It was at Raymond James Stadium that the Eagles endured a painful 31-15 playoff loss to the Buccaneers that ended their 2021 season. During that playoff game, an unflattering remark from a Buccaneers assistant coach was caught on a live microphone, suggesting that Hurts struggled to read the defense. Hurts, who indicated during the week that these comments served as motivation, stated, "It's a feeling I haven't forgotten. And things have gone very well ever since."
Indeed, Hurts has seen his regular-season record as the Eagles' starter improve to an impressive 17-1 since that fateful playoff loss. His resilience, even in the face of adversity, serves as a testament to his commitment to the team's success and bodes well for the Eagles as they continue their quest for victory in the 2023 NFL season.
