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    Jalen Hurts Declared NFL MVP Leader by Fans as Eagles Clinch Playoff Spot vs. Giants

    Joseph Zucker@@JosephZuckerFeatured Columnist IVDecember 11, 2022

    EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - DECEMBER 11: Jalen Hurts #1 of the Philadelphia Eagles warms up prior to the game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on December 11, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
    Al Bello/Getty Images

    The Philadelphia Eagles have punched their ticket to the NFL playoffs for the fifth time in six seasons with a 48-22 road win over the New York Giants.

    No player has been more instrumental in the team's success than quarterback Jalen Hurts, and the NFL MVP buzz grew louder after a dominant performance.

    Hurts completed 21 of 31 passes for 217 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed for 77 yards and another score.

    Highlights Sunday included hitting DeVonta Smith for a 41-yard touchdown on 4th-and-7 to give Philadelphia a 13-0 edge.

    Philadelphia Eagles @Eagles

    It's that 6 for 6 special<a href="https://twitter.com/DeVontaSmith_6?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DeVontaSmith_6</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ProBowlVote?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ProBowlVote</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FlyEaglesFly?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FlyEaglesFly</a> <a href="https://t.co/22ctlIV8eF">pic.twitter.com/22ctlIV8eF</a>

    Hurts also hit A.J. Brown for a 33-yarder and took care of business himself from 10 yards out.

    Philadelphia Eagles @Eagles

    TD #10 on the year 👀<a href="https://twitter.com/1kalwaysopen_?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@1kalwaysopen_</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ProBowlVote?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ProBowlVote</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FlyEaglesFly?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FlyEaglesFly</a> <a href="https://t.co/uLGfJVUWyK">pic.twitter.com/uLGfJVUWyK</a>

    Philadelphia Eagles @Eagles

    .<a href="https://twitter.com/JalenHurts?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JalenHurts</a> lovesss the endzone<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PHIvsNYG?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PHIvsNYG</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FlyEaglesFly?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FlyEaglesFly</a> <a href="https://t.co/JoU5eLmkDd">pic.twitter.com/JoU5eLmkDd</a>

    The 24-year-old justified Philadelphia's decision to move on from Carson Wentz in 2021 as the team secured the NFC's final wild-card berth. Still, some wondered coming into the season whether the 2020 second-round pick was the guy.

    "Yet, the jury is still out on whether Hurts can be Philadelphia's long-term answer at the position due to his accuracy issues and inefficiency as a thrower," NFL.com's Bucky Brooks wrote in April. "Skeptics question if he can become a pinpoint passer capable of winning playoff games on the strength of his right arm."

    Hurts has answered those skeptics by playing at an MVP-type level for the 12-1 Eagles.

    Jalen Hurts Declared NFL MVP Leader by Fans as Eagles Clinch Playoff Spot vs. Giants
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    Through 13 games, he has thrown for 3,157 yards, 22 touchdowns and three interceptions while going for 686 yards and 10 scores on the ground. Entering Sunday, his completion percentage (68.1), passer rating (108.3) and QBR (69.2) are all up significantly from 2021, per Pro Football Reference.

    The acquisition of Brown has made Hurts' life a little easier. The 2020 Pro Bowler has hauled in 65 passes for 1,020 yards and 10 touchdowns

    Ultimately, Hurts' efforts Sunday only reaffirmed his status as the MVP front-runner right now, and Twitter backed that claim.

    Jesse Burak @JesseRBurak

    I just really don't see how you can make a case that anyone is the mvp over Jalen hurts. The man is absolutely lighting teams up

    kyle sample @kyle_sample6

    Jalen Hurts is going to go from being pulled in FBS championship game because he was a liability to NFL MVP in 6 years

    Devan Kaney @Devan_Kaney

    Joel Embiid was snubbed so Jalen Hurts could be crowned. Nothing but respect for my MVP. 👑

    Yungen💫 @Lil3k

    JALEN HURTS ABOUT TO GET PAID!!! And the mvp!!!

    Hunter @hunter_furman30

    Jalen Hurts is very deserving of the NFL MVP this season. Should be well in the lead after this game

    Ruben Amaro, Jr. @RAJr_20

    I seriously challenge anyone, anyone to tell me that Jalen hurts is not the MVP of the league. I mean. Seriously ???? The man is a king

    Matt Miller @nfldraftscout

    MVP resume game for Jalen Hurts today.

    Harry Douglas @HDouglas83

    Jalen Hurts is my <a href="https://twitter.com/NFL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NFL</a> MVP …Go fight with your brother or sister but don't think about fighting with me…I'll be on your a** like WHITE on RICE 🍚

    Whistle Blitz @WhistleBlitz

    Jalen Hurts joins Cam Newton as the only QBs in NFLhistory with 10+ rushing touchdowns in multiple seasons.<br><br>Hurts is also the first to ever reach the mark in consecutive seasons. <br><br>MVP 🦅 <a href="https://twitter.com/JalenHurts?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JalenHurts</a> <br><br> <a href="https://t.co/mAgu9t5PPz">pic.twitter.com/mAgu9t5PPz</a>

    Hurts and the Eagles will now visit the Chicago Bears on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.