Missed Opportunity: Jalen Hurts Overlooks Wide-Open A.J. Brown in Crunch Time
In a moment that will haunt Philadelphia fans, Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts made a costly decision with just 1:52 remaining in Monday night's 20-14 loss to the New York Jets. While scrambling right on first-and-goal from the 7-yard line, Hurts forced a pass into double coverage that was intercepted by Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner.
The real story unfolded off-camera. All-22 footage reveals Pro Bowl receiver A.J. Brown standing completely alone in the back-left corner of the end zone - both hands raised in clear view - while Hurts locked onto Devonta Smith near the right sideline. "I'm always gonna feel like I'm open," Brown later told reporters with strained diplomacy.
The missed connection highlights growing tensions in Philadelphia's offense. Earlier in the week, Brown claimed no recollection of a reported players-only meeting between himself, Hurts, and running back Saquon Barkley to address offensive struggles. Speculation mounted about potential friction between the star receiver and his quarterback.
Philadelphia's season now hangs in the balance. The Eagles (2-4) face consecutive road games against division rivals, needing immediate improvement from a passing attack that currently ranks 24th in efficiency. As Brown succinctly noted post-game: "If we knew what was wrong, we would have fixed it."