When the pocket started to close in on Jalen Hurts, he took a step back and fired a pass over the middle that won the game.
Sunday’s 20-14 triumph for the New York Jets was decided by a touchdown run from Breece Hall after Tony Adams’ interception of a pass meant for Dallas Goedert was returned 45 yards to the Eagles’ 8.
But for the Philadelphia Eagles instead of the New York Jets.
“I had an opportunity and I didn’t do my job on the play,” said Hurts, who matched a career worst with three interceptions. “I don’t think I made the correct read on it. It happens and it’s an opportunity for us to learn from it.”
After San Francisco’s loss to Cleveland earlier in the day, the Eagles (5-1)—the only unbeaten club in the NFL—suffered their first loss of the year. Additionally, after winning the previous 12 meetings, this was Philadelphia’s first loss against the Jets.
Even the most lopsided of contests may be turned around by four errors, including a lost fumble by D’Andre Swift.
“We have to look at everything and fix everything,” Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said. “Sometimes after bad losses, there is a great time for growth. That’s what our mission will be: to grow from this.”
When Sirianni entered the locker room following the game, he claimed he didn’t need to say much. The players and coaches were aware that they had failed.
“You look at this game,” Hurts said, “you have so many missed opportunities and really so many mistakes as if you’re kind of giving it away.”
After Hall’s score with 1:46 remaining, the Eagles received the ball back, but they were helpless against a Jets defense that had stopped them the whole game.
Hurts completed two incomplete passes before finding DeVonta Smith for a gain of two yards. Hurts attempted a deep ball for Smith on a fourth-and-8 situation from the Eagles 27 but Jordan Whitehead intercepted it, ending Philadelphia’s chances.
“Whenever the game is within reach, mistakes are magnified,” said center Jason Kelce, who set the franchise record with his 145th consecutive regular-season start. “We’ve been disciplined and handled things well down the stretch. We didn’t necessarily do that and it ended up hurting us today.”
Zach Wilson and the Jets’ offense, which was able to convert New York’s first three takeaways into just three scores, were repeatedly thwarted by Philadelphia’s defense.
Hurts then committed a terrible last-second turnover with the game on the line.
First, Hurts’ pass to Goedert was intercepted by Quinnen Williams in the second quarter after Jermaine Johnson deflected it into the hands of the Jets defensive tackle. Even after the takeaway, New York was unable to score.
Late in the first half, Swift had a 4-yard grab that Quincy Williams recovered after C.J. Mosley knocked the ball out of his hands. As the second quarter came to a close, the Jets kicked a 35-yard field goal to reduce the score to 14-6.
Early in the fourth quarter, Bryce Hall intercepted Hurts on another throw Johnson had defended as Philadelphia led 14-12. The Eagles had a chance to increase the lead, but Jake Elliott missed a 37-yard field goal attempt, causing the Jets to go three-and-out on their following series.
That made it possible for New York to finish its comeback.
The Eagles will attempt to recover the following Sunday night when they host Miami, a team that is also 5-1 and has scored at least 31 points in four of its games.
“Something happened that kind of stalled drives,” Kelce said, “but we’ve got to, just everybody, look in the mirror and try to get better for next week.”
