For pretty much the whole season, Philadelphia Eagles fans have been hoping and praying that the team would run quarterback Jalen Hurts more often.
Reports came out earlier in the month that Hurts had told the team before the season to run fewer QB-designed runs to protect himself from late-season injuries. In the Eagles' 31-0 win over the Las Vegas Raiders, that was a different story as Hurts ran the ball seven times for 39 yards with more designed runs for Hurts, and was effective doing it.
FOX NFL commentator Greg Olsen was on the call for that Eagles-Raiders game, and had a chance to speak with NBC Philadelphia's John Clark, where the former NFL tight end was asked about Hurts running the ball more. Olsen might sound like an Eagles fan as he wants to see more of it.
"You know, I would argue outside of last week's game, they've been saving it. They haven't really done it. We mentioned the stat on air, I mean going into last week's game, he hadn't scrambled for a first down in three games. You just think back to Jalen Hurts and some of the best moments of his career, it's third-and-eight, and you match up the coverage and you just can't quite get him down and the next thing you know, he runs for a first down, runs out of bounds and just breaks your back on third down as a scrambler or as a designed runner. I would absolutely run him. I think he's a big, strong guy. I think he knows how to protect himself. Yes, is it a risk? It's a risk every time you step on the field playing football.
Do I think he should run the ball 15 times like he did when he first took the job over? Of course not. Critical moments of the game, fresh set of downs, convert in the red zone, got-to-have-it moments, Jalen Hurts in the gun as a designed runner is a huge weapon for the Eagles."
Eagles need to let Jalen Hurts carry the rock more often
It has been noticeable how much the Eagles have moved away from running Hurts, and Hurts himself is not willing to run it more often. For the season, he has 95 carries for 376 yards and eight touchdowns. He's on pace to have the lowest rushing stats since his rookie season in 2020.
This season, the Eagles are 6-2 when Hurts carries the football seven or more times in a game. He's 5-2 when he rushes for 30 yards or more in a game in 2025 as well.
The Raiders game was just the beginning of what could be an excellent run for Hurts, with him carrying the ball more. This team is more efficient when he can pick up yards on the ground and not just throw it.
Read more: Jalen Hurts says what Eagles fans have always known about him (in his own way)
If Hurts is willing to help the team run the ball more, the Eagles are going to be dangerous when it comes to postseason action like they were last season.