NFL Power Rankings, Preseason Week 1: Rookie QBs steal the show

Looking at numbers can be deceiving. Joe Flacco finished with 178 yards and a touchdown on 10-of-17 passing which looks much more impressive than the 3-of-7 passing for 54 yards the Philadelphia Eagles got from second-year quarterback Jalen Hurts.

Even with that being the case, Hurts seemed to be more in command of the offense. He did hit Zach Ertz for a 34-yard gain and could have had much better numbers if not for a couple of drops from his receivers. Sure, there’s room to grow for him still but he didn’t get a ton of help.

Flacco, however, did get some help. For instance, his 79-yard touchdown pass to Quez Watkins, which put the Eagles up 10-0, probably traveled about 2-yards through the air. It was a well-executed screen pass where Watkins followed his blockers and sprung it for six.

Philly hasn’t come out and said Hurts is the starter, as apparently Nick Sirianni wants them competing till the very end — and may even have an epic rock, paper, scissors battle to make the final decision before Week 1. But we all know Hurts should be the guy especially since they need to see what he can do with a full season as the starter. If he can get it done, great. If not, they’re going to have to make a move in the 2022 draft.