Despite the Eagles coming into Week 15 sitting at 11-2, there were a lot of negative storylines surrounding the squad.
Jalen Hurts and Philadelphia’s passing game had struggled ab it over the past few weeks, and wide receiver A.J. Brown was at the center of talks about how the team could rejuvenate its air attack. That’s exactly what the Eagles did on Sunday, as Hurts and Brown played key roles in a 27-13 win over the Steelers.
With the victory, Philadelphia improved to 12-2, staying alive in the race for the NFC’s No. 1 seed. After the victory, Hurts and Brown each hinted at how they ended any criticism with their performance.
Here’s what the Eagles’ quarterback and wide receiver said following their win over Pittsburgh, plus a look at Hurts and Browns’ numbers on Sunday.
MORE: How the Eagles’ win over the Steelers impacted the AFC, NFC playoff races
Jalen Hurts postgame interview after win over Steelers
After the Eagles’ scraped by the Panthers in Week 14 with some clear disconnects in their passing game, talks surrounding Hurts’ passing ability and how the team can get Brown more involved heated up.
Hurts, certainly aware of the narratives and criticism surrounding the team despite its success, entered his postgame press conference on Sunday with a simple message: “So, that’s what y’all wanted to see, huh?”
Jalen Hurts on the win vs. Pittsburgh 😅 pic.twitter.com/wR2HSH4p8B
— NFL (@NFL) December 16, 2024
Hurts found Brown for a touchdown pass in the first quarter against the Steelers, putting the talks of issues between the quarterback and receiver to rest.
F is for friends who do stuff together.
U is for U and Me.
N is for anywhere and anytime at all.@jalenhurts | @1kalwaysopen_ | #ProBowlVote pic.twitter.com/0eBWoVCrdH— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) December 15, 2024
A.J. Brown says Eagles ‘shut everyone up’ with Week 15 win
Brown also had a brief chirp to reporters postgame about the Eagles’ stars ending the talks of their passing game struggles.
After Brown scored his touchdown in the first quarter, he linked up with Hurts for a celebratory dance:
This TD celly from Jalen Hurts and A.J. Brown 🔥 pic.twitter.com/TN2CRihTqJ
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) December 15, 2024
Postgame, Brown said the dance was the duo’s moment to “tell everybody to shut up.”
#Eagles WR A.J. Brown on his celebratory dance with Jalen Hurts after a TD catch: “That was our moment to tell everybody to shut up.” pic.twitter.com/FM6esnWZJO
— Rob Maaddi (@RobMaaddi) December 16, 2024
A.J. Brown stats vs. Steelers
- Targets: 11
- Receptions: 8
- Receiving yards: 110
- AVG: 13.8
- TDs: 1
Hurts certainly made it a point to feed Brown on Sunday, as the receiver’s 11 targets were a season high and his most since Week 1.
Week 15 also marked Brown’s fifth 100-yard receiving game of the season, and he caught his first touchdown pass since Week 12.
Jalen Hurts stats vs. Steelers
- Completions-attempts: 25-32
- Passing yards: 290
- Passing TDs: 2
- INTs: 0
- Rating: 125.3
- Carries: 15
- Rushing yards: 45
- Rush TDs: 1
Hurts had one of his most complete performances of the season against Pittsburgh, making an impact both in the air and on the ground.
His 290 passing yards were his most since Week 3 vs. New Orleans (311). Hurts also hasn’t thrown an interception since Week 10, and he’s now registered at least one rushing touchdown in 10 of the Eagles’ 14 games.
