Jalen Hurts: We showed up when it mattered most
According to NFL Next Gen Stats, the Chiefs blitzed Jalen Hurts on 16 of his 25 dropbacks (64.0%), the highest blitz rate by the Chiefs defense in a game since Steve Spagnuolo became defensive coordinator in 2019.
Hurts finished with 101 passing yards on 15-of-22 attempts, but when the Eagles faced a third-and-10 early in the fourth quarter of a three-point game, the quarterback stood tall in the face of the blitz and aired the ball deep down the right side for wide receiver DeVonta Smith, who caught the jump ball against cornerback Trent McDuffie for a 28-yard gain, the longest offensive play for the Eagles on the day.
Earlier in the game, Hurts tried a similar pass to beat the blitz, but Smith was unable to come up with the catch and fell hard to the ground on his back.
Hurts had the perfect quote to encapsulate Smith's performance.
"He came down on his back, but he came up in the clutch. What else could you ask for?" Hurts said. "Showing up when the moment requires someone to show up – a hell of a play by Smitty, the same play he made here two years ago, same part of the field, other one ended in a score. Overall, everyone stayed within themselves. Finding a way to win is something you have to take pride in. Take pride in winning, one, and take pride in what is required to win. As a team, defensively, they played lights out. Offensively, we showed up when we needed to. 26 (RB Saquon Barkley) showed up when we needed him to. We just want to continue to build."