Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts has rewritten the NFL record books when it comes to rushing touchdowns for a quarterback. He has scored double-digit rushing touchdowns in three consecutive seasons, something no other quarterback has ever done.
This season, Hurts has rushed for a career-high 15 touchdowns, which is also the single-season record for a quarterback. It was previously held by Cam Newton, who had 14 during the 2011 season with the Carolina Panthers. Hurts may not be the only player to break that record this season, as Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills has 13 rushing touchdowns and counting.
However, there is one major difference between how Allen and Newton got their touchdowns compared to Hurts. While there are highlights of those two running over opponents on lengthy runs for scores, a majority of Hurts’ touchdowns have come courtesy of the Eagles’ unstoppable short-yardage play.
The ‘Tush Push’ or ‘Brotherly Shove’ as some have called it has produced a large portion of the rushing touchdowns Hurts has this season and in his career. That has led to a wild statistic being recorded by Hurts this season; nearly all of his scores have been short-yardage.
NFL News & Rumors: Jalen Hurts & Philadelphia Eagles Updates
According to Philadelphia Eagles Central on X, formerly Twitter, Hurts has gained only 39 yards on his 15 rushing touchdowns this season. That 2.6 yards per carry average is certainly eye-popping, but not surprising given where most of his scores come from.
Jalen Hurts has only gained 39 total yards across all 15 of his rushing touchdowns this season.
— Philadelphia Eagles Central (@pheaglescentral) December 26, 2023
Averaging 2.6 yards per touchdown. pic.twitter.com/N4hPBUbtEJ
At the end of the day, how you get the touchdown is irrelevant. All that matters is that Hurts is getting six points on the board and helping the Eagles win games. It isn’t aesthetically pleasing watching the play, but it is effective as no one around the league has been able to replicate it with the success Philadelphia has or slow it down.
Until that happens, expect the Eagles and Hurts to continue piling up short-yardage touchdowns at the goal line. Hurts should send a gift to his skill position players who get tackled so often at the one-yard line, helping him set NFL records along the way.
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