By Brooks Kubena, Zach Berman and Rebecca Tauber
The Philadelphia Eagles snapped a three-game skid Sunday, shutting out the Las Vegas Raiders 31-0 at home, thanks to a statement day from quarterback Jalen Hurts.
With Geno Smith out with a shoulder injury, Raiders backup quarterback and former Eagles QB Kenny Pickett struggled in his Philadelphia homecoming, as Las Vegas notched just 75 total offensive yards.
While the Raiders remain at the bottom of the AFC West, falling to 2-12, it was an important win for a 9-5 Eagles team that has been on top of the NFC East but faced skepticism all season, especially after consecutive losses to the Los Angeles Chargers, Chicago Bears and Dallas Cowboys.
The Raiders next play the Houston Texans, while the Eagles will take on the Washington Commanders in Week 16.
Great day from Hurts
In Week 15 last season, Hurts responded from a turbulent week with a standout performance that left him saying, “So that’s what y’all wanted to see, huh?” In Week 15 this season, Hurts responded from a turbulent week with what Eagles fans wanted to see.
Hurts went 12-of-15 for 175 yards and three touchdowns and he could have matched a career-high four scores had Dallas Goedert not dropped a wide-open touchdown. Hurts also rushed seven times for 39 yards. This was not the perfect quarterback rating Hurts registered in Minnesota earlier this season, but it was close — and the second-best mark of his career.
After Hurts’ four-interception game last week, coach Nick Sirianni was asked whether he would consider benching Hurts. For those who wanted to see No. 2 quarterback Tanner McKee, they received their wish. Hurts was pulled in the fourth quarter with a 31-0 lead. Even though the Raiders were the opponent, it was a statement game for Hurts. — Zach Berman, Eagles senior writer
First Eagles shutout in seven years
The Eagles’ defense completed the team’s first shutout since Week 17 in 2018, holding the Raiders to a season-low 75 total offensive yards. They sacked Pickett four times. Brandon Graham had two sacks, his first since returning from retirement. Notably, Graham shifted to defensive tackle upon his return. Zack Baun, an All-Pro inside linebacker last season, snagged an interception that gave him a career-high two interceptions this season.
The Eagles ended their defensive skid last week by recording seven sacks in their Monday-night loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. Their dominance against the lowly Raiders on Sunday proves they remain operating at a championship-caliber level. — Brooks Kubena, Eagles staff writer
Pickett disappoints for Las Vegas
It turns out Pickett was not the answer for the Raiders. Filling in for Smith, Pickett did not have a storybook homecoming in his return to Philadelphia to face his former team near his childhood home.
Pickett finished 15-of-25 for 64 yards and one interception. The Raiders totaled only 75 yards. It was the second time the Raiders have been shut out this season. The season continues to spiral for the Raiders, who remain in contention for the No. 1 overall pick. — Berman
Goedert reaches 400+ catches
Goedert caught two touchdowns for the Eagles in a six-catch, 70-yard performance that advanced his career-high to nine touchdowns and tied him atop the NFL among tight ends. He will be vexed by dropping a touchdown in the end zone, but it was an otherwise standout day for a tight end who etched his name into the Eagles’ record books.
Goedert is now the fifth player in Eagles history with 400+ catches. The others are Harold Carmichael, Zach Ertz, Pete Retzlaff and Brian Westbrook. Carmichael, Retzlaff and Westbrook are all in the franchise’s Hall of Fame. Ertz will join them one day. That puts Goedert in exclusive company, and he needs only six catches in his final three games to set a new career high. — Berman