The very next question, Hurts was asked about his team’s third-down struggles over the last two weeks. They went 0-for-12 on third down against the Rams — which was the worst third-down performance in Eagles history — and 0-for-5 in the second half against the Chicago Bears in Week 3.
How could this happen?
“Poor execution,” Hurts said.
The Eagles offense had two completions in the second half. They had 68 net passing yards on 31 drop backs. Hurts, who finished with 93 passing yards, compiled just 10 passing yards in the second half.
Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts greets Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford after the Eagles lost to the Rams, 24-20.Monica Herndon / Staff PhotographerEagles head coach Nick Sirianni walks off the field after their loss to the Rams.David Maialetti / Staff PhotographerRams linebacker Byron Young (right) sacks Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts on their final drive of the game.David Maialetti / Staff PhotographerRams running back Kyren Williams stiff-arms Eagles linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr. on his touchdown run late in the fourth quarter.David Maialetti / Staff PhotographerEagles defensive back Jonathan Jones reacts after getting called for personal foul penalty in the fourth quarter.David Maialetti / Staff PhotographerRams running back Kyren Williams scores a fourth quarter touchdown past Eagles linebacker Jihaad Campbell.David Maialetti / Staff Photographerrunning back Kyren Williams scores a fourth quarter touchdown against Eagles safety Andrew Mukuba.Monica Herndon / Staff PhotographerEagles running back Tank Bigsby runs with the football against Rams cornerback Emmanuel Forbes in the fourth quarter.David Maialetti / Staff PhotographerEagles quarterback Jalen Hurts runs with football past Rams linebacker Josaiah Stewart in the fourth quarter.Monica Herndon / Staff PhotographerEagles head coach Nick Sirianni looks down at the turf with his team on the goal line during the fourth quarter. The Eagles gave-up the football on downs.David Maialetti / Staff PhotographerEagles linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr., stops Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua in the third quarter.David Maialetti / Staff PhotographerEagles cornerback Cooper DeJean intercepts the football past Rams running back Kyren Williams during the second quarter.David Maialetti / Staff PhotographerEagles wide receiver Darius Cooper catches a second quarter touchdown against the Rams. The touchdown was Cooper’s second during the second quarter.David Maialetti / Staff PhotographerRams wide receiver Puka Nacua scores during the second quarter against the Eagles.Monica Herndon / Staff PhotographerEagles wide receiver Darius Cooper (left) celebrates his first, second quarter touchdown with his teammates.Monica Herndon / Staff PhotographerEagles wide receiver Darius Cooper catches his first second quarter touchdown against Rams safety Quentin Lake (center) and cornerback Trent McDuffie.David Maialetti / Staff PhotographerEagles wide receiver Darius Cooper catches his first second quarter touchdown against Rams safety Quentin Lake.Monica Herndon / Staff PhotographerEagles kick returner Britain Covey runs with he football in the second quarter.David Maialetti / Staff PhotographerEagles cornerback Riq Woolen stops Rams running back Kyren Williams in the second quarter.David Maialetti / Staff PhotographerRams Alex Bachman flies during a second quarter kick-off return against Eagles linebacker Smael Mondon Jr..David Maialetti / Staff PhotographerEagles wide receiver Makai Lemon catches the football against Rams safety Kam Curl (left) and linebacker Nate Landman in the second quarter.David Maialetti / Staff PhotographerEagles cornerback Cooper DeJean goes after Rams running back Blake Corum in the first quarter.Monica Herndon / Staff PhotographerRams running back Kyren Williams runs past Eagles cornerback Riq Woolen in the first quarter.Monica Herndon / Staff PhotographerEagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter goes after Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford in the first quarter.David Maialetti / Staff PhotographerEagles kicker Jake Elliott kicks a first quarter field goal with holder Braden Mann.David Maialetti / Staff PhotographerEagles safety Andrew Mukuba runs with the football during a first quarter interception against Rams center Coleman Shelton.David Maialetti / Staff PhotographerEagles running back Saquon Barkley walks off the field in the first quarter. Barkley got hurt against the Rams.David Maialetti / Staff PhotographerEagles running back Saquon Barkley leaves the field with members of the medical staff in the first quarter.David Maialetti / Staff PhotographerEagles running back Saquon Barkley kneels in pain during the first quarter.Monica Herndon / Staff PhotographerEagles running back Saquon Barkley runs with the football against the Rams during the first quarter.Monica Herndon / Staff PhotographerEagles quarterback Jalen Hurts throws the football during the first quarter.David Maialetti / Staff Photographer
Yes, the mounting injury woes are a factor — the Eagles entered Sunday without No. 1 wide receiver DeVonta Smith (hamstring), starting tight end Dallas Goedert, right tackle Lane Johnson (personal) and lost running back Saquon Barkley (hamstring) during the game — but, as Nick Sirianni said himself, injuries can’t be an excuse. It’s clear that, four games into the Sean Mannion era, something isn’t jelling.
So, is something wrong with Mannion’s offense — a wide-zone scheme that was supposed to rejuvenate the Eagles offense?
“I would say it’s an executing thing,” Hurts said. “I would say it’s an executing thing.”
Sirianni offered a stronger endorsement when asked the same question.
“I have a ton of confidence in Sean,” he said. “He’s going to wear a lot of this, no doubt. I’m going to wear a lot of this. Our offense is going to wear a lot of this. You win together, you lose together. I have no complaints with what happened there today. There’s opportunity for us to grow.”
Eagles coach Nick Sirianni assumed blame for the team’s issues on Sunday, and acknowledged Sean Mannion would be criticized as well. David Maialetti / Staff Photographer
Unsurprisingly, the Eagles are facing questions about whether they should change the offense. Remember: During the 2024 Super Bowl season — which they also started 2-2 — Sirianni tinkered midseason to revolve the offense around Barkley and the offensive line.
“We’re going to forge together,” Hurts said, asked if the Eagles should make a similar change this season. “We’re going to figure out a way. We’re going to grow and we’re going to reflect on these things as we’ve done following any and every game and come together and continue to get better as a team.”
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