“I Trust Him”: Jalen Hurts Backs Saquon Barkley Despite Dropped Catch Blunder That Cost Eagles Win vs. Falcons

A game-winning catch on the line? Yep, that’s what Saquon Barkley missed during the Eagles’ tough 22-21 loss to the Falcons. With the clock ticking and the pressure mounting, Barkley dropped a pass that could’ve sealed the game for Philly. “I let my team down today,” Barkley admitted after the loss. Owning up to it like a true pro. But let’s not forget—his QB Jalen Hurts has his back, and that’s what makes this duo click.

“Obviously, it’s a tough loss,” Hurts said. “We learn from it. I trust him every day of the week to make a play.” That’s the QB-RB bond right there—trust, even when things don’t go as planned. Barkley is Hurts’ right-hand man, always there to pound through tough defenses or catch those crucial passes. This time, the ball just slipped away, but Hurts knows they’ll bounce back stronger.

Now, let’s break down that pivotal moment. The Eagles were flying away with a three-point lead with under two minutes left. A simple third-and-3 from the Falcons’ 10-yard line—sounds easy, right? Hurts rolls right, fires a pass to an open Barkley, and… it slips right through his hands. Philadelphia opted for a field goal, pushing the score to 21-15. But little did they know the missed catch would come back to haunt them.

And boy did it! Kirk Cousins and the Falcons took full advantage, marching down the field with ease. In just a few plays, they found themselves at the Eagles’ 12-yard line. With 34 seconds left, Cousins hit Drake London for a game-tying touchdown, followed by an extended extra point to take a one-point lead. The Falcons had pulled off the upset.

The Eagles had a chance, though. Jalen Hurts, looking for a last-minute miracle, threw a deep pass—but it was picked off by Jessie Bates III. Game over. ESPN metrics showed that 96% win probability evaporated after Barkley’s drop catch. Just like in CSGO gambling, where a single moment can turn the tide, this play sealed the Eagles’ fate.

But hey, onto the next one, right? There’s always a silver lining. And in week 2 it was in the form of a high-flying signal-caller.

Jalen Hurts is off and running in the 2024 season

No, not Kirk Cousins. We are talking about Philly’s QB. Jalen Hurts was solid, but man, that game-ending interception stung. Sure, he was impressive on the ground—rushing for 85 yards on 13 tries—but as a passer; he struggled at times without his favorite target, A.J. Brown. With Brown sidelined due to a hamstring strain, Hurts completed 23-of-30 passes for 183 yards and a touchdown. But forcing that late pass? Oof. Why risk it when you could’ve played it safe?

Still, you can’t put all the blame on Hurts. After all, his early-season numbers are nothing to scoff at—67.2% completion rate, 461 passing yards, 3 TDs, and a QB rating of 84.2. He’s started the season off on a decent note, but we all know the Eagles can’t afford these turnovers. The team survived three of them in week 1, but not this time. Hurts has to tighten things up moving forward, especially with big expectations this year.

On the ground, though? Hurts was electric. He had one of his best rushing performances in recent memory. The Eagles clearly leaned into his legs, calling designed runs early on. A 23-yard scramble on fourth-and-3? That’s prime Hurts magic. He converted second-and-20 with back-to-back runs of 9 and 15 yards, bouncing off defenders like it was nothing. That kind of grit is why fans love him.

But in the end, despite Jalen Hurts’ efforts—especially those “Tush Push” QB sneaks—the Falcons were just too much. A last-minute touchdown drive sealed Philly’s fate. Hurts did everything he could, but it wasn’t enough this time. So, what do you think—does Hurts need to focus more on passing or stick to what’s working with his legs?