Number Birds: A Statistical Review of Week 1
My son officially starts school today and I thought of a cool way to honor him. He’s a huge fan of the show “Number Blocks,” which has helped teach him math and made me believe that he’ll be my accountant someday. So why not combine my son’s favorite show with a statistical review of the Philadelphia Eagles into a new weekly series?
Following each Eagles game, I’ll compile some of the most interesting numbers that I can find across several platforms — including SūmerSports, Next Gen Stats and Pro Football Focus. Think of it as a weekly analytical roundup for the Eagles. Here’s the first edition of Number Birds, a statistical review of Week 1.
Jalen Hurts Had a Big Day
Since 2022, Jalen Hurts has 25 games with at least three offensive touchdowns. Only Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen has more (33).
Hurts completed four of his five passes to the middle of the field for 77 yards and two touchdowns.
Hurts had a perfect passer rating of 158.3 on three pass attempts to the middle of the field over 10 yards.
The Commanders blitzed Hurts on 38.2% of his dropbacks in Week 1. Hurts completed just three of his nine passes when blitzed for 14 yards.
When Hurts wasn’t blitzed, he completed 11 of his 16 passes for 189 yards and two touchdowns.
Hurts showcased one of the best deep balls in the NFL, as he completed three of his four passes attempts over 20 yards. Hurts had a passer rating of 156.3 on passes over 20 yards.
Hurts completed all three of his passes behind the line of scrimmage for -11 yards. The blocking struggled and the plays were easily telegraphed.
The Eagles only called a play action pass on four plays. Hurts completed one of his four passes attempts on play action for 64 yards to Dontayvion Wicks.
On non-play action passes, Hurts completed 13 of his 21 passes for 139 yards.
Hurts completed four of his five pass attempts for 100 yards on go routes, averaging +2.52 EPA/Play.
Hurts completed two of his four pass attempts for 15 yards on hitch routes, averaging -0.5 EPA/Play.
Hurts looked good on the run, recording 31 yards after contact and averaging +0.49 EPA/Play.
Offensive Line Struggles
Landon Dickerson was a legitimately liability in pass protection, as he allowed four total pressures, including one quarterback hit.
The Eagles found some success running to the left side between Dickerson and Jordan Mailata, as they had five runs for 53 yards and two first downs.
Each of Philadelphia’s starting offensive linemen allowed a pressure in Week 1, including Mailata Mailata, who also allowed a sack.
Saquon Barkley gained -7 yards before contact, which tied with Cardinals running back Jeremiyah Love for worst among running backs in Week 1.
Barkley was able to make plays despite the poor blocking upfront, as he gained 90 yards after contact, which was second behind only Ravens running back Derrick Henry (96) and Bears running back D’Andre Swift (96).
Cam Jurgens was called for two penalties in Week 1, tied for the lead among all offensive linemen.
Defense (Mostly) Dominates
After limiting the Commanders to just 295 total yards, the Eagles have now held their opponents to under 300 total yards in 19 games under defensive coordinator Vic Fangio. Since Fangio arrived in 2024, that is the second-best mark, only behind the Seahawks (21).
Zack Baun made his mark on the game and really showed out in coverage. Baun allowed three receptions on six targets for -2 yards, while also recording two pass breakups.
Quinyon Mitchell allowed two receptions on three targets for 15 yards.
Riq Woolen allowed just one reception on five targets for one yard in a shutdown performance.
Woolen was one of 36 cornerbacks that were targeted five or more times in Week 1. None of them allowed fewer yards than Woolen did (1).
Cooper DeJean really struggled, as he allowed seven receptions on nine targets for 83 yards and one touchdown. It was the third-most yards that DeJean has allowed in a game, along with only the second touchdown that he’s ever allowed.
Jihaad Campbell was used as a pass rusher on seven plays. He recorded two total pressures, including Philadelphia’s only sack of the game.
Jalyx Hunt and Nolan Smith each recorded five total pressures against the Commanders.
Hunt recorded the seventh-highest win percentage (23.1%) among edge rushers with 20 or more pass rush snaps in Week 1.
Jalen Carter and Moro Ojomo each recorded four total pressures against the Commanders. They were two of just 10 interior defensive linemen to record four or more total pressures in Week 1.
Ojomo had three missed tackles and Carter had two missed tackles, ranking worst and tied for second-worst among interior defensive linemen.
Andrew Mukuba and Marcus Epps were rock solid at safety. They allowed two receptions combined for a total of just 14 yards.