Jalen Hurts' Playoff Rushing Strategy: Will He Dial Up His Number?
The Philadelphia Eagles are gearing up for the playoffs, and fans are wondering if quarterback Jalen Hurts will increase his rushing yards as the team advances. While there's no guarantee, the data suggests that Hurts might not abandon his preference to avoid big hits.
In 2025, Hurts set a personal best with 25 passing touchdowns, but his rushing yards were a far cry from previous seasons. The Eagles' new offense under Kevin Patullo has taken a conservative approach, limiting designed runs. According to NFL Pro, Hurts averaged just 1.7 designed rush attempts per game in 2025 – significantly lower than the 2.4 average over the previous five seasons.
However, there's more to Hurts' rushing strategy than just play calling. His scrambling yards have also decreased, and he scrambled on a career-low 19.8% of his dropbacks this season. It appears that Hurts has become more cautious in his decision-making, taking fewer risks to avoid absorbing big hits.
While it's possible that Hurts might pick up the pace in the playoffs, there's no guarantee that he'll dial up his number dramatically. Last year, he averaged 3.8 designed runs per game during the four playoff games, but that was still just a slight increase from the regular season.
The more realistic expectation is that Hurts will continue to use his legs as an option, but not at the same rate as in previous seasons. If that's the case, it might be enough to keep defenses off balance and create opportunities for the Eagles' offense.
Ultimately, Hurts' willingness to run will depend on the game plan and the situation. As he faces the 49ers in the Wild Card showdown, it'll be interesting to see how much of a factor his rushing strategy is – and if he'll find ways to exploit the defense despite being more cautious.
The Philadelphia Eagles are gearing up for the playoffs, and fans are wondering if quarterback Jalen Hurts will increase his rushing yards as the team advances. While there's no guarantee, the data suggests that Hurts might not abandon his preference to avoid big hits.
In 2025, Hurts set a personal best with 25 passing touchdowns, but his rushing yards were a far cry from previous seasons. The Eagles' new offense under Kevin Patullo has taken a conservative approach, limiting designed runs. According to NFL Pro, Hurts averaged just 1.7 designed rush attempts per game in 2025 – significantly lower than the 2.4 average over the previous five seasons.
However, there's more to Hurts' rushing strategy than just play calling. His scrambling yards have also decreased, and he scrambled on a career-low 19.8% of his dropbacks this season. It appears that Hurts has become more cautious in his decision-making, taking fewer risks to avoid absorbing big hits.
While it's possible that Hurts might pick up the pace in the playoffs, there's no guarantee that he'll dial up his number dramatically. Last year, he averaged 3.8 designed runs per game during the four playoff games, but that was still just a slight increase from the regular season.
The more realistic expectation is that Hurts will continue to use his legs as an option, but not at the same rate as in previous seasons. If that's the case, it might be enough to keep defenses off balance and create opportunities for the Eagles' offense.
Ultimately, Hurts' willingness to run will depend on the game plan and the situation. As he faces the 49ers in the Wild Card showdown, it'll be interesting to see how much of a factor his rushing strategy is – and if he'll find ways to exploit the defense despite being more cautious.
. Like, he's still got 25 passing TDs from last season - that's insane! And let's be real, his scrambling yards have actually decreased which means he's more cautious in his decision-making... I get it, avoiding big hits isn't fun 
. But at the same time, it's like, what happened to the old Hurts who was always taking risks on the field? Will he dial up his number or keep it chill? Only time will tell 
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. He's gotten smarter as a QB and knows when to hold back. The new offense is definitely taking a more conservative approach, which makes sense. They're trying to create more stability on the field. But, at the same time, it would be awesome to see Hurts break out some big plays like he did in the past 
. If he can find a balance between using his legs to create opportunities and being smart in the pocket, then that's all good with me 
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. We'll just have to wait and see how it all plays out 
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and we saw this crazy sunsets in Arizona that were literally breathtaking 
I mean, have you ever tried hiking at sunrise? It's a whole different world! Anyway, I was thinking about how players like Jalen Hurts have to adapt their games based on the team and coaches. It's not just about being a dynamic player, but also understanding when to take risks and when to play it safe 
. that's just one part of the equation. it feels like he's taking fewer risks period. and if hes doing that, i'm curious to see how that affects the team in the playoffs... might be more effective than ppl think 
! He's been playing so smart on the field, avoiding those big hits and still managing to make some magic happen with his legs 
. I think he'll find ways to use his speed and agility to outmaneuver the 49ers' defense 
. The Eagles' new offense is definitely a factor, but I'm curious to see how Hurts adapts to different game situations 
! He's got this, Philly! Let's go Eagles 
#JalenHurts #EaglesNation #NFLPlayoffs
? seriously though, hes got 25 touchdowns under his belt, thats already a win 
. I'm not saying he'll be like Lamar Jackson or anything (tbh, who is? 
. Plus, have you seen the Eagles' new offense under Kevin Patullo? It's like they're trying to create something beautiful 
...even if it is kinda boring in terms of running plays 
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. It's smart for Hurts to prioritize his safety over trying to rack up yardage. Of course, we want to see him be a threat with his legs, especially in big games like this one against the 49ers 
The 49ers are gonna be tough to crack no matter what, so I'm hoping Hurts finds a sweet spot where he's still running wild enough to keep defenders guessing 
. Bring on the playoffs and let's see how this plays out! 
It's actually kinda refreshing! And yeah, 1.7 designed rush attempts per game is pretty meh compared to previous seasons, but maybe that's just the new offense thing 
The eagles need to step up their game if they wanna take down those 49ers 
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He's being cautious, which I think is good for his health and the team's success. They're already playing with a new offense, so it's cool to see them adapt. I'd be worried if they started taking crazy risks, though - that's just when accidents happen 
. Anyway, Hurts being cautious might actually be an advantage... now let's see how he does against the 49ers! 
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) about when to take risks. like, 19.8% of dropbacks is low, but we all know he's got skills to pay the bills! 
and i'm so down for him to use his legs as an option - it keeps defenses on their toes and creates those crazy plays we love watching! 
. It's not just about the numbers, though - it's about how it affects the team's overall flow. If he can make his running game work without putting himself in harm's way, that'd be a huge win