Eagles QB Jalen Hurts (Post-Game Transcript)
On how it feels to return to action and get a playoff victory:
“It’s always good being back in routine and being able to go out there and get a win. Play with the guys and get a win.”
On his big picture takeaways from the victory:
“Big picture, I have to watch the film, be able to look at some things, take some notes of things, and have some conversations. But ultimately, playoff football is about winning. It’s [the franchise’s] first Wild Card win for a minute now, so that’s big.”
On the offense going into a lull after getting off to a hot start:
“It was execution. It was rhythm. We have to find our rhythm earlier in the game. First and foremost, our defense played their tails off. They played their tails off and created turnovers. And I think, ultimately, when you have those opportunities, you have to take advantage of them, and that starts with me.”
On whether the offense’s lack of rhythm was due to him not playing for three weeks:
“No, no.”
On why the offense lacked rhythm:
“I have to watch the film.”
On his first touchdown pass to Eagles WR Jahan Dotson:
“That was kind of a scramble from within the pocket. That’s what it turned into. That was a great job by him staying alive and working the back of the end zone.”
On what made him make the change on the touchdown pass to Eagles TE Dallas Goedert:
“Just the look we were getting from the defense. They got us a couple of times, and that was an adjustment that we made.”
On finding Eagles WR DeVonta Smith a few plays later and the adjustment to get to that spot:
“It’s how you play, mentality you play with, the approach. Ultimately, you want to maintain aggression in those things. I had the opportunity to [Eagles WR] A.J. [Brown]. Missed him by a bit. Ultimately, you just want to impose your will and your style of play. I think we know we’re capable of doing a number of different things, but we just have to find our rhythm and go out there and ultimately execute. Execute.”
On whether it matters how you win this time of year:
“You know that doesn’t matter. You know that doesn’t matter. It’s all about winning. That’s the only thing we’ve got to the point we are. So, it’s about finding ways to win.”
On how important it was to not turn the ball over in a game like this:
“Yeah, I think that’s an important aspect of playoff ball, being able to be explosive, but also maintain the ball and win the turnover battle. I think our defense played lights out with that [Eagles LB] Zack Baun flying around. I owe [Eagles CB] Quinyon [Mitchell] something for his first pick. So just when you have a defense playing like that, that always helps. Ultimately, the goal is to create explosive plays and not turn [the ball] over. So, we just have to continue to progress in all of that.”
On what this win means to him as the first Wild Card win and considering everything that’s happened over the past year and to advance and have another home playoff game:
“I think just to have another opportunity. I think it’s been an odd year in a sense of how choppy it’s been, and obviously me kind of being on leave the last couple weeks or so. Being back and just getting into that rhythm and leaving it all out there right now, that’s what it’s about.”
On Eagles LB Nakobe Dean getting hurt:
“You hate that. I think you asked me a question about what I saw. And I think one thing that I learned was just the bond that those Georgia guys have, and how they play. I think that that’s had a great influence on our defense, because there’s always a confidence, there’s always an intensity there and swagger about themselves. I think that feeds through the whole defense, and I think it’s very similar to all the guys that come from Alabama and the SEC and that have seen each other and played alongside one another, or watch guys play in that conference or in college. But I think he’s a pivotal piece to our defense and he’ll be missed. I’m praying for a speedy recovery.”
On if he felt like there was no apprehension about his concussion:
“No, it wasn’t.”
On how he’s seen Eagles WR Jahan Dotson grow in the offense:
“Yeah, I think [Eagles WR] Jahan [Dotson] just kind of played his role. Coach gives very specific roles to what guys are expected to do, and he’s just kind of been there. When his number’s called, when his opportunities are there, he makes a play. He’s been doing great.”
On whether rhythm grows naturally being on a practice field:
“I don’t attest to practice. I don’t attest it to practice. That’s just attested to overall approach and finding a rhythm.”
On what the Packers defense was doing to try and stop Eagles RB Saquon Barkley:
“I think they came and kind of did what they did. They had more weight on the field at the linebacker position and more base personnel throughout the game it seemed. Every team is going to try and do that. I think the biggest takeaway for me is taking advantage of those opportunities when the defense gives us the ball back and taking advantage of those opportunities at the time where that is most important. So that’d be something that we hone in on. We all hone in on and try to take advantage of the next opportunity we have on the field.”
On whether he has ever seen Eagles WR A.J. Brown read on the sidelines before and what goes through his mind when he sees it:
“I’ve never seen him read. I’ve seen the book in his hands. Everybody has a different thing and finds their flow in different ways. That’s how we choose to do it.”
On what he owes Eagles CB Quinyon Mitchell for his first interception:
“[Jokingly] I owe him a shoutout on Instagram.”