BALTIMORE — If Jalen Hurts were to subscribe to a philosophy, it would be stoicism. He basically preaches it every round with a stern look. Remove yourself from all feelings, you who play this game. Remember that your only game is the next one. Don’t do what your nerves and chemicals are pushing from within, just do what you have to – and do it well!

If only these Philadelphia Eagles could be that inhumane. If only they could endure the adrenaline bubbling in their guts. If only they could silence the shouts and chants of “MVP” from their traveling fans as Saquon Barkley scored another convincing victory. If only they could anesthetize themselves from the momentum that gave them a come-from-behind 24-19 win over the Baltimore Ravens, the latest NFL powerhouse to succumb to a formidable franchise that is now theirs won its eighth game in a row.

Only then could these 10-2 Eagles completely break away from the 10-2 Eagles that collapsed a year ago. As it is, only the idea of ​​being human connects these enthusiastic eagles with the frustrated ones who can’t get out of their heads. But, as Hurts might argue, their emotions are just symptoms of the system that actually drives them. They are a reborn Super Bowl-caliber squad coached by an experienced team whose game plans are the product of years of schematics. They are a muscular and savage force of All-Pros, Pro Bowlers and high-profile draft picks who force even their toughest opponents into consistent submission.

Hurts might call that consistency momentum – If only he believed in it.

“It’s a facade,” Hurts said Sunday. “It can start and end at any time.”

Like at the beginning of the game. For example, when an Eagles offense without DeVonta Smith was unable to cross midfield on each of its first four drives due to a hamstring injury while punting. Like how Hurts fired passes from four different offensive packages without finding an open receiver. Like how Lamar Jackson took advantage of Philadelphia’s futility and punished a penalty-riddled Eagles team with two first-quarter drives that gave the Ravens a 9-0 lead.

Incompetence seemed to be an early trigger of destruction. The Eagles doubled their season-high first quarter penalty kill by being rejected six times for 45 yards. A false start by AJ Brown ended their second drive. Two touches of the ball by Barkley provoked a third-and-7, in which sophomore tight end Grant Calcaterra was brought inside for additional protection. Hurts was still fired. The Eagles struck again.

And again.

And again.

Then Sydney Brown hit Braden Mann’s fourth punt at the Baltimore 1. Has this momentum changed? Or was it simply circumstances that finally favored the better team at the right moment? Because an Eagles unit that entered the weekend with the NFL’s sixth-ranked scoring defense (18.1 points allowed per game) began to throttle the Ravens. Jalen Carter crushed Jackson when he completed a 5-yard pass to Mark Andrews, who was downed by Reed Blankenship and Nakobe Dean. Jordan Davis darted through the line and beat the AFC’s leading rusher, Derrick Henry, straight to Dean for no gain. Then Jackson rushed a third-down throw that fell behind Zay Flowers. The Ravens beat.

At this point it started to snow. Nature itself tried to make people believe in momentum. This was Baltimore, by God. Here, illustrious names like Ray Lewis and Ed Reed hung in the Ravens’ ring of honor. Here, a franchise synonymous with devastating defense battled ill-fated attacks in the dead of winter. But Eagles coach Nick Sirianni also attacked this belief. He preached to his players all week that it was the Ravens who had to keep up physically.

Henry, who had averaged 110.4 yards per game, more than anyone except Barkley, was limited to 82 yards on 19 carries – 65 yards over three quarters. Eagles linebacker Zack Baun picked off Henry for a 4-yard loss on a third-and-2 run in the second quarter. Later in the second half, nickel safety Cooper DeJean — a 6-foot-1, 198-pound rookie — tackled Henry, picked up the 6-2, 247-pound run and drove him to the ground. DeJean began to fan himself. The entire defense joined in. Have they heated up? Or were they the fire?

Say it with us…
COOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOP!!!!@cdejean23 | #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/bDoLXiK59S

— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) December 2, 2024

“Our identity is physical,” Baun said. “If you question that, we will show up and be more physically active.”

Game by game, as Hurts would say. The momentum is damned. Did it improve a then sputtering offense that a Ravens three-pointer after Mann held them to their 1 resulted in the Eagles’ best field position ever? Or was it just a weapons-heavy unit that finally had an advantageous target? Offensive coordinator Kellen Moore gave up the two-tight end packages, which cost them downfield options. Instead, they spread the Ravens defense around with three receivers. They turned to the zone reading game. Hurts gained eight yards past a keeper at Baltimore’s 26. Two plays later, Hurts hit Goedert on a well-designed pick route that saw Brown clear the sideline with a quick reception. Goedert converted a 17-yard score.

Was Is there at least a rhythm? The Ravens struck again.

Was Is there a feeling of propulsion? Hurts immediately fired a pass down the middle of the field into a scrum of several defenders, but it hit Brown, giving him a 15-yard gain. Hurts was 4-of-5 passing for 53 yards on that drive, which he highlighted with a 1-yard brotherly shove score. In that sequence, he hit Brown three times for 44 yards. But he said he hasn’t spoken to Moore or anyone else about changing the driveway plan.

“You know who AJ is,” said Hurts, who completed 11 of 19 passes for 118 yards and a touchdown. (Brown had five catches for 66 yards). “He’s a damn good player. That was him. And every time he has the ball in his hands, he has the opportunity to make a play.”

This also applies to Lamar Jackson. The two-time MVP was manhandled in most of his final three quarters. Nolan Smith sacked him to prevent a drive in the second quarter. Jalen Carter got the Ravens going later in the half with a sack from the Eagles’ red zone. Baun and Jalyx Hunt shared a sack to complete another in the third. Jackson entered the weekend leading all quarterbacks in rushing (599 yards, three touchdowns) and was limited to 40 yards on seven carries – until he gained 39 yards on a scramble during a meaningless final drive. Jackson spent most of his time looking for downfield options. He completed 23 of 36 passes for 237 yards and two touchdowns. He told reporters that his mother scolded him after the game for not being more successful as a runner.

Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio’s game plan kept Jackson in check. Philadelphia often employed a base front with three interior linemen who constantly applied pressure against one of the NFL’s better offensive lines. The Ravens had to settle for field goals four times. Justin Tucker, a five-time All-Pro kicker, made just two of the attempts (and missed attempt after attempt). Tucker missed attempts of 47 and 53 yards in the third quarter. Either would have given the Ravens the lead. Instead, the Eagles stayed ahead 14-12.

Back then, it was a Philadelphia offense that prided itself on wearing down opponents with its breakout running game. Barkley burst into the open field behind tackle Jordan Mailata and scored a 25-yard touchdown that made the game 21-12 with 8:04 to play. Barkley finished the game with 23 carries for 107 yards and the score. It was his eighth 100-yard game of the season.

If the Eagles could feel their heartbeat after the final whistle, they might have an idea of ​​who they are and where they could go. If a smiling Roseman waiting at the locker room door evoked a reactionary emotion, it might actually be positive. If they recorded Michael Jackson’s lyrics blaring through their postgame scene – Don’t stop until you’ve had enough – You might just be forced to go further.

But of course that would require momentum. And if you believe Hurts, her goal will still arrive.

“I have said this and I stand by it: There is no moment where we will arrive,” Hurts said. “It’s just about embracing the path of growth, being wise and learning from our mistakes, our good moments and our successes and being able to assess them correctly.”

(Top photo of Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley: Patrick Smith / Getty Images)