Jalen Hurts Plays Like 'MVP Candidate' as Eagles Beat Kirk Cousins, Vikings on MNF

Scott Polacek @@ScottPolacekFeatured Columnist IVSeptember 20, 2022

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - SEPTEMBER 19: Jalen Hurts #1 of the Philadelphia Eagles warms up before the game against the Minnesota Vikings at Lincoln Financial Field on September 19, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

Mitchell Leff/Getty Images

Welcome to the early MVP discussion, Jalen Hurts.

The Philadelphia Eagles are loaded with talent, but the biggest question coming into the season was whether their quarterback would play at the necessary level to compete for a Super Bowl title.

If Monday was any indication, Eagles fans have nothing to worry about.

Hurts led his team to a 24-7 victory over the Minnesota Vikings, turning in a brilliant first half and finishing 26-of-31 passing for 333 yards, one touchdown and one interception that bounced off Kenneth Gainwell's hands to go with 57 yards and two touchdowns on the ground.

He also garnered plenty of love on social media in the process:

Bleacher Report @BleacherReport
JALEN HURTS 53-YARD BOMB 😱 (via <a href="https://twitter.com/NFL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NFL</a>)<a href="https://t.co/aVMkEM19cG">pic.twitter.com/aVMkEM19cG</a>

Bleacher Report @BleacherReport
JALEN HURTS CAN'T BE STOPPED. 3RD TD TONIGHT 🔥 (via <a href="https://twitter.com/NFL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NFL</a>)<a href="https://t.co/d4u7JN2jpj">pic.twitter.com/d4u7JN2jpj</a>

Joe Giglio @JoeGiglioSports
Jalen Hurts is playing like an NFL MVP candidate.

ProFootballTalk @ProFootballTalk
Jalen Hurts is getting better and better. Eagles have flirted with multiple other QBs. They can stop looking.

Bleacher Report @BleacherReport
Jalen Hurts first half: 17/20 301 TOT YDS 3 TD Vikings entire offense: 93 yards 1 TD Put some respect on QB1. 🔥 (via <a href="https://twitter.com/NFL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NFL</a>)<a href="https://t.co/KARK7O2eny">pic.twitter.com/KARK7O2eny</a>

The Volume @TheVolumeSports
Jalen Hurts in the first half <a href="https://t.co/NR3Wk26H2X">pic.twitter.com/NR3Wk26H2X</a>

Jalen Brunson @jalenbrunson1
HIM <a href="https://t.co/YbsIu1ckvO">https://t.co/YbsIu1ckvO</a>

Jalen Brunson @jalenbrunson1
That’s tough JH 💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽

Colleen Wolfe @ColleenWolfe
Also helpful: this is the first time Jalen Hurts has the same play caller in back to back seasons since high school

Brett Kollmann @BrettKollmann
Jalen Hurts has gotten better every single year since he was 18. Sometimes you just have to bet on the kid.

Benjamin Solak @BenjaminSolak
Best Hurts has ever looked, period, full stop, not close.

Reuben Frank @RoobNBCS
We all know Hurts is fast. But he is one tough dude, too. Does not back down. Fearless.

Brandon Lee Gowton @BrandonGowton
Jalen Hurts making some very high level throws tonight. Passing into tight windows with great touch. Not to mention him being a dangerous weapon as a runner. Most impressive NFL performance by far. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Eagles?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Eagles</a>

The third-year signal-caller put the team on his back before intermission with two rushing touchdowns and a beautifully placed 53-yard touchdown to Quez Watkins on a deep ball.

His touchdown runs in particular stood out, as he used both his speed and agility to evade potential tacklers in the open field and his physical strength around the goal line to power through defenders.

Hurts also didn't solely rely on star wide receiver A.J. Brown and instead spread the ball around to Watkins, Dallas Goedert and DeVonta Smith. He was in full control of the offense as both a runner and a passer in a performance that surely had Philadelphia thinking about an NFC East crown this season.

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The Eagles will have a chance to make a statement in the division in Week 3 against the Washington Commanders, and the version of Hurts that took the field Monday should have no trouble in that one.