There is no escape from it. Jalen Hurts continues his trend. Since we started this annual activity in 2022, Hurts has done well in every even year and fallen off in every odd year. In the 2022 and 2024 seasons, for example, Hurts reached the Super Bowl, winning Super Bowl MV in 2024. In odd years, like 2023, there was a dramatic drop off, like some would argue the 2025 season was for Hurts.<\/p>\n
In 2025, Hurts was ranked 20th in the NFL in quarterback rating (98.5), a drop from his career-best 103.7 in 2024. He threw for a career-low 7.1 yards per pass, and his 64.8% completion percentage was the second-lowest of his career as a full-time starter beginning in 2021. What cannot not be lost is that Hurts also threw for a career-best 25 touchdowns in 2025, with a learning-on-the-job offensive coordinator and patchwork, ailing offensive line.<\/p>\n
When we did this two years ago, Hurts came out 10-7 (he finished 12-3 as a starter and looked good). Three years ago, we had Hurts 16-1 (he went 11-6, though lost six of his last seven starts, and didn\u2019t look good). Four years ago, we had Hurts coming out 4-13 over the 17 games we predicted in the quarterback challenge. It was terribly wrong.<\/p>\n
Last year, we had Hurts as the better quarterback in 12 of the Eagles\u2019 17 games in 2025\u2014and the Eagles finished 11-5 and were knocked out of the Wild Card round of the NFC playoffs by the San Francisco 49ers.<\/p>\n
This year, we have Hurts as the better quarterback in a comfortable majority of Eagles\u2019 17 games.<\/p>\n
We with the odds\u2014after all, it is an even year.<\/p>\n
The Eagles will be facing two future Hall of Fame quarterbacks, one who defies time and is coming off his best season as a pro, the Los Angeles Rams\u2019 ageless Matt Stafford, and the Pittsburgh Steelers\u2019 Aaron Rodgers, on the downside of his career in what may be possibly be his last season.<\/p>\n
Though the Dallas Cowboys are coming off a disappointing and dismal 7-9-1 finish in 2025, Dak Prescott remains the best quarterback in the NFC East, and only one of two, along with Stafford and we are going to put Caleb Williams here, too, who will be better than Hurts this season on paper and their resumes.<\/p>\n
The rest of the Eagles\u2019 schedule is filled with a few quarterbacks still searching for an identity like Washington\u2019s Jayden Daniels, Carolina\u2019s Bryce Young, Tennessee\u2019s Cam Ward, the New York Giants\u2019 Jaxson Dart, someone who really bears watching, and Houston\u2019s C.J. Stroud. Then you have your retreads, like Arizona\u2019s Jacoby Brissett and the Indianapolis Colts\u2019 Daniel Jones, and some that are still looking to fulfill expectations, like Jacksonville\u2019s Trevor Lawrence, and some that have gone beyond expectations like Seattle\u2019s Sam Darnold and San Francisco\u2019s Brock Purdy.<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s a look at who the Eagles will face in 2026 and a brief summary as to who the better quarterback will be.<\/p>\n
Week 1 \u2013 Washington Commanders (Sunday, Sept. 13, 4:25 PM, FOX)<\/p>\n
Week 8 \u2013 at Washington Commanders (Sunday, Nov. 1, 8:20 PM, NBC)<\/p>\n
Pass completions: 114\/188 (60.6%)<\/p>\n
Pass completions: 294\/454 (64.8%)<\/p>\n
Summary: Daniels was supposed to be the bane for Eagles fans in years to come after the 2024 season. That conjecture came crashing down last season under a barrage of injuries that limited Daniels seven games last year. He was slowed by elbow problems, knee problems, hamstring problems, and went from a quarterback rating of 67.7 in his 2024 rookie season to 44.7 his sophomore season in the NFL. In 2024, he threw for 3,568 yards with 25 touchdowns and ran for 891 yards. The Commanders have to wonder where Daniels is as far as progression. They may find out this season. For now, there is no question who the better quarterback will be in these two games.<\/p>\n
Week 2 \u2013 at Tennessee Titans (Sunday, Sept. 20, 1:00 PM, FOX)<\/p>\n
Pass completions: 323\/540 (59.8%)<\/p>\n
Pass completions: 294\/454 (64.8%)<\/p>\n
Summary: Ward found out what it was liked being picked No. 1 overall in the NFL Draft. Yes, sure, tons of brand-building facetime come with it, though as soon as that wears off and reality sets in, welcome to the NFL\u2019s version of nightmare city. Ward started at rock bottom. He had little or nothing around him, had to deal with a coaching change, and that uncertainty translated into a 3-14 finish. Ward and the Titans have a long way and some years ahead before they will be competitive with the Eagles.<\/p>\n
Week 3 \u2013 at Chicago Bears (Monday, Sept. 28, 8:15 PM, ESPN) <\/p>\n
Pass completions: 330\/568 (58.1%)<\/p>\n
Pass completions: 294\/454 (64.8%)<\/p>\n
Summary: The Bears were the most exciting team in the NFL last season. Much of that had to do with Williams, who threw 27 touchdowns against seven interceptions last season in getting the Bears to the NFC Divisional round of the playoffs and leading them to their first NFC North title since 2018 and first postseason victory since 2010. Chicago beat the Eagles up, 24-15, on Black Friday last season. Williams did not play a large role as he did in Chicago\u2019s amazing fourth-quarter comeback against Green Bay on Wild Card Weekend. Besides Stafford and Prescott, Williams on this occasion is the better quarterback based on his command of an offense he will be running for the second-straight year and his exceptional poise under pressure. He can beat you running or passing.<\/p>\n
Week 4 \u2013 Los Angeles Rams (Sunday, Oct. 4, 1:00 PM, FOX)<\/p>\n
Pass completions: 388\/597 (65.0%)<\/p>\n
Pass completions: 294\/454 (64.8%)<\/p>\n
Summary: The reining NFL MVP had the season of his career in 2025, throwing for a career high 46 touchdowns and just eight interceptions. He is 4-4 lifetime against the Eagles throwing 16 touchdowns against two interceptions. He was one Jordan Davis blocked field goal and scoop-and-score play from beating the Eagles last season, and he was the only threat that came near derailing the 2024 Super Bowl champion Eagles. What is more astonishing is that Stafford is doing this in his late-30s. Hurts is a winner and Super Bowl champion. He does not have the passing ability of Stafford.<\/p>\n
Week 5 \u2013 Jacksonville Jaguars (Sunday, Oct. 11, 9:30 AM, NFL Network)<\/p>\n
Pass completions: 341\/560 (60.9%)<\/p>\n
Pass completions: 294\/454 (64.8%)<\/p>\n
Summary: Lawrence has always looked the part, tall, strong, a strong arm, though seems to fade when the heat gets turned up. He\u2019s been a serviceable pro, although has a 35-42 overall record as a starter, with 98 career touchdown passes and 58 interceptions. In the last five years, Hurts is 56-22, with 104 touchdowns and 41 interceptions. Hurts lifetime is 2-0 against Jacksonville, with 10 fourth-quarter wins and 13 game-winning drives. Lawrence has eight and 13 in those two categories. Lawrence was the No. 1 pick in the 2021 draft and Jacksonville did not draft with the expectation of looking for flickers of light\u2014like last year was. So far, Lawrence has not been what he was supposed to be.<\/p>\n
Week 6 \u2013 Carolina Panthers (Sunday, Oct. 18, 1:00 PM, CBS)<\/p>\n
Pass completions: 304\/478 (63.6%)<\/p>\n
Pass completions: 294\/454 (64.8%)<\/p>\n
Summary: Young may not be tall enough to see over the steering wheel, but he proved he could play in the NFL. He is coming off a 2025 season in which he threw for a career-high 23 touchdowns, against a career-high 11 interceptions, and a career-best 3,011 yards. He did lead the Panthers to their playoff berth since 2017. As a fulltime starter, Hurts has guided the Eagles to the playoffs in each of the last five years, reaching the Super Bowl in two of the last four years. Hurts did take a dip in 2025, although he guided the Eagles to their second-straight NFC East title, something no NFC East team had done since the Eagles in 2003 and 2004. Young proved he could play in the NFL. Hurts proved doubters wrong on a far larger scale.<\/p>\n
Week 7 \u2013 Dallas Cowboys (Monday, Oct. 26, 8:15 PM, ESPN)<\/p>\n
Week 12 \u2013 at Dallas Cowboys (Thursday, Nov. 26, 4:30 PM, FOX)<\/p>\n
Pass completions: 404\/600 (67.3%)<\/p>\n
Pass completions: 294\/454 (64.8%)<\/p>\n
Summary: Prescott is 10-5 lifetime against the Eagles, throwing for 26 touchdowns against just nine interceptions. He threw 30 touchdowns and tossed for 4,552 yards, which included leading the Cowboys to a 24-21 victory last November in a game in which the Eagles blew a 21-0 lead. Prescott wins without the kind of team Hurts has around him. He reads defenses well, has a strong arm and plays under control. His only drawback may actually have nothing to do with him, but meddlesome owner and general manager Jerry Jones.<\/p>\n
Week 9 \u2013 New York Giants (Sunday, Nov. 8, 1:00 PM, FOX)<\/p>\n
Week 18 \u2013 At New York Giants (TBD)<\/p>\n
Pass completions: 216\/339 (63.7%)<\/p>\n
Pass completions: 294\/454 (64.8%)<\/p>\n
Summary: If there is a time to get at Dart, this season would be the time to pounce, because it seems the Giants, under Dart, are only going to keep getting better. Maybe the Giants catch a little of the mojo left by the Knicks. Dart beat the Eagles once last year and lost to the Eagles. In his short timeframe, he\u2019s thrown for more yards against the Eagles (a combined 388) than any team he faced in his rookie season. He threw for 2,272 yards and 15 TDs, while rushing for 487 yards and nine touchdowns. He could beat you various ways\u2014and is averse to risk trying. Hurts still carries experience and poise over Dart, whose one glaring drawback is his propensity to put himself in danger when he scrambles. It\u2019s a lesson Hurts has learned.<\/p>\n
Week 11 \u2013 Pittsburgh Steelers (Sunday, Nov. 22, 4:25 PM, CBS)<\/p>\n
Pass completions: 327\/498 (65.7%)<\/p>\n
Pass completions: 294\/454 (64.8%)<\/p>\n
Summary: A few years back, Rodgers, sure. But not now.<\/p>\n
Week 13 \u2013 at Arizona Cardinals (Sunday, Dec. 6, 4:05 PM, FOX)<\/p>\n
Pass completions: 315\/485 (64.9%)<\/p>\n
Pass completions: 294\/454 (64.8%)<\/p>\n
Summary: Who knows if Brissett will still be starting by December, or if third-round pick Carson Beck will have taken over by then. In 12 starts last year, Brissett went 1-11 and averaged 280.5 passing yards, which was deceiving since had a below-average 41.2 QBR. Hurts and the Eagles pound the Cardinals in early December.<\/p>\n
Week 14 \u2013 Indianapolis Colts (Sunday, Dec. 13, 1:00 PM, FOX)<\/p>\n
Pass completions: 261\/384 (68.0%)<\/p>\n
Pass completions: 294\/454 (64.8%)<\/p>\n
Summary: Jones should be back from the torn Achilles he suffered last December. Up until the injury, Jones was doing well. He had thrown 19 TDs against a mere eight interceptions and threw for 3,101 yards. He could show moments of being dynamic. But he\u2019s no Hurts\u2014and poses no threat to the Eagles. He\u2019s a journeyman who former Eagles\u2019 coach and current Colts head coach Shane Steichen performed some magic on.<\/p>\n
Week 15 \u2013 Seattle Seahawks (Saturday, Dec. 19, 5:00 PM, FOX)<\/p>\n
Pass completions: 323\/477 (67.7%)<\/p>\n
Pass completions: 294\/454 (64.8%)<\/p>\n
Summary: The Seahawks\u2019 defense won the 2025 Super Bowl, Darnold made sure he did not get in the way. It is interesting how Darnold engineered consecutive 14-win seasons and still has problems when it comes to receiving respect. He still lacks it. Maybe it is because he finished 19th in QBR, and because the Seahawks jumped teams early last year and hung on in the end. He does not possess the physical skills or high football IQ Hurts does.<\/p>\n
Week 16 \u2013 Houston Texans (Thursday, Dec. 24, 8:15 PM, Amazon Prime Video)<\/p>\n
Pass completions: 273\/423 (64.5%)<\/p>\n
Pass completions: 294\/454 (64.8%)<\/p>\n
Summary: Who exactly Stroud is may still be in question.A few years ago, he looked like the next coming of John Elway.Now, it seems, he is slightly above ordinary on the quarterback greatness scale. Stroud still threw 3,041 yards in 2025, then imploded in a 28-16 Divisional Round playoff to eventual AFC champion New England, throwing four interceptions, sacked three times with a QBR of 28.<\/p>\n
Week 17 \u2013 at San Francisco 49ers (Sunday, Jan. 3, 8:20 PM, NBC)<\/p>\n
Pass completions: 197\/284 (69.4%)<\/p>\n
Pass completions: 294\/454 (64.8%)<\/p>\n
Summary: Purdy is not asked to do a whole lot in Kyle Shanahan\u2019s system. He battled through some injuries last season, though came back to go 7-2 and completed 294\/454 (64.8%) of his passes. Purdy and the Niners did beat the Eagles\u2014at the Linc\u2014in the Wild Card round of the playoffs last season, although they may not completely fall on Hurts. Purdy is a game manager, and despite what some may think in Philadelphia, Hurts is quite a bit more than that.<\/p>\n
Hurts is the better QB in 13 of the Eagles\u2019 17 games in 2026.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"There is no escape from it. Jalen Hurts continues his trend. Since we started this annual activity in…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":710317,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[63],"tags":[349,276287,99],"class_list":["post-710316","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-nfl","tag-nfl","tag-philadelphia-eagles-schedule","tag-sports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/710316","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=710316"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/710316\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/710317"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=710316"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=710316"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=710316"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}