Sirianni praises Hurts: ‘Like having Michael Jordan out there’

Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni offered high praise for quarterback Jalen Hurts after his team’s 38-7 win over the New York Giants on Saturday.

“I know this is high praise, but to have him out there is like having – I shouldn’t even go there – it’s like having Michael Jordan out there,” Sirianni said, according to ESPN’s Tim McManus. “He’s your leader. He’s your guy.”

Sirianni added, “To me, nobody has played any better football than him this year.”

Hurts completed 16 of 24 passes for 154 yards and two touchdowns in the divisional-round victory against the Giants. He also had one rushing touchdown. The 24-year-old played through a sprained sternoclavicular joint in his throwing shoulder sustained in the Week 15 matchup against the Chicago Bears.

Sirianni also praised Hurts’ role in the Eagles’ rushing attack and his ability to draw attention from the defense as a dual-threat quarterback. Philadelphia racked up 268 yards on the ground, including 34 from Hurts.

The signal-caller described his physical health as “good enough” but “nowhere close to 100%.” He also said he came down with an illness late in the week.

While Sirianni offered lavish praise, Hurts’ teammates thought his performance was par for the course.

“Seemed like the old Jalen to me,” said running back Miles Sanders.

Hurts set career highs with 3,701 passing yards, 22 passing touchdowns, and 13 rushing touchdowns this season. He led the Eagles to a 14-1 mark as a starter, earning his first Pro Bowl nod in the process.

With the rout over their NFC East rivals, the Eagles advanced to the NFC Championship Game and will host the winner of the contest between the Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers.

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