The Philadelphia Eagles have never been one to sit back under pressure, and this year they’ve been no different. They’re 14-3 with sweaty quarterbacks and have rumbled their way to NFC wild-card glory. But even with the Green Bay Packers just across the field, the Eagles nest hums with doubt in terms of the safety duo Jalen Hurts and A.J. Brown. “We know what this team is capable of, and we’re ready to show it,” said head coach Nick Sirianni, who sounded upbeat despite injury rumors. Surely the locker room sounds upbeat—but don’t let the tune fool you; destruction might just be on the horizon.

The “Weapon X” returns

The Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts isn’t only their quarterback — he’s their pulse. As referred to as “Weapon X” for his two-sided game, Hurts has shattered all pretenses since his debut. He threw for 2,903 yards, 18 touchdowns, and just five interceptions during the 2024 regular season for 65.6 QBR. He also ran for 716 more yards and 13 scores on the ground, as he is an avaricious player both on and off the field. He’s got reel highlights of pin-prick throws to rip through defenders and tuck the ball in for scores in 2024.

But Hurts’ path hasn’t been smooth sailing — his concussion in Week 17 had Eagles fans taking their breath away. It hurt so much to see him gone as the team made do without their charismatic leader. But if we can say anything about Jalen Hurts, it’s that he is born to be broken. His laid-back attitude and unstoppable work ethic have been an example to the entire Eagles roster, so seeing him back in practice this week is something to be proud of.

Why Hurts is a central figure in this story is that he takes everybody up on him. Whether that’s dropping down a deep run with A.J. Brown or attempting a key first down, his football intelligence and size fool the defense. For the past two seasons, Hurts has a 97.9 passer rating when he’s running to Brown, a product of what can be so effective in the Eagles offense.

Sunday’s game against the Packers will be Hurts’ chance to blow the doubters out of the water once again. When he comes back from concussion protocol, everyone’s eyes will be on him repeating his postseason performance. If this is the fight, now more than ever, Philadelphia’s “Weapon X” is going to remind everyone why he’s one of the most electrifying quarterbacks in the NFL.

The “YAC King” eyes playoff domination

AJ. Brown has been a revelation for the Eagles since joining the club. Brown has become the “YAC King” (yards after catch) because of his size and elite route running. In 2024 in the regular season, he had 1,079 receiving yards on 67 receptions with 16.1 yards per catch. Add seven touchdowns to that, and it’s easy to see why he’s one of the Eagles’ pillars.

Brown hasn’t been all easy this season though, even with his monster production. He hasn’t been practicing at full force due to a lingering knee injury, but the Eagles are managing his workload effectively. He didn’t show up for Thursday’s practice, which made the fans mad but it’s all in the plan to make sure he is 100% for Sunday.

Brown and Jalen Hurt’s chemistry is legendary. Hurts has 3,795 yards and 23 touchdowns to Brown’s name on his own over the 44 games they have played together. Brown’s propensity to convert routine plays into crucial plays — whether it’s a top-end bomb or a pressure catch in traffic — has made the Eagles successful.

Brown will need to get a weapon out of a secondary that has gotten burned by big targets with the Packers around the corner. If the past is any guide, the “YAC King” will be the next key to the Eagles’ playoff puzzle. Expect big plays, fumbles, and a game that clinches his spot at the top of the NFL. ‘For Brown, it’s not just playing, it’s winning.

“Weapon X” and Brown, the invincible “YAC King” are more than just characters, they’re the hearts and souls of this team. They’ll have to be strong and in sync as they approach the Packers game. With all their horns in the air, the Eagles don’t merely survive; they fly.