5 takeaways from the Eagles 33-26 loss to the Cardinals in Week 15

The Philadelphia Eagles’ Week 15 loss to the Arizona Cardinals had some good moments and several key takeaways with just two games left.

For the second straight week, Jalen Hurts provided the offensive spark head coach Doug Pederson was begging for and the Eagles now have a full-on quarterback controversy.

Here are five takeaways from Sunday’s loss.

Jalen Hurts is dynamic

Dec 20, 2020; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (2) against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Hurts followed up his Week 14 performance over the Saints with a recording setting outing against the Cardinals. The second-round pick threw for 338 yards and three touchdowns and ran for another score. Hurts showed poise in the pocket, didn't turn the ball over, and inspired his teammates around him.

Eagles young DB's played with heart

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) fumbles the ball after a hit by Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Michael Jacquet (38) during the first quarter Dec. 20, 2020.
Eagles Vs Cardinals

Lost in the success of Jalen Hurts on offense, was an Eagles secondary that played with heart despite having 3 starters out with injury. DeAndre Hopkins finished with nine receptions for 169 yards and a touchdown. Larry Fitzgerald and Chase Edmonds also caught touchdowns from Kyler Murray. The Eagles young guys battled and had their moments, like Marcus Epps' interception and Michael Jacquet's forced fumble and sack. Kyler Murray passed for a career-high 406 yards, completing 27 of 36 passes with three touchdowns and an interception in the Cardinals' 33-26 win, but the Eagles young guys including Kevon Seymour and K'Von Wallace got much-needed work.

NFC East still up for grabs

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 20: Greg Ward #84 of the Philadelphia Eagles catches a second quarter touchdown pass against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on December 20, 2020 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)

Washington's loss to Seattle kept the Eagles' chances of winning the NFC East alive. Here's where the Eagles stand in the playoff hunt after Sunday's loss. Eagles must win on Sunday in Dallas and in Week 17 at home against Washington in the regular-season finale. Washington must lose to Carolina in Week 16 (and then to the Eagles in Week 17). The New York Giants must lose one of their final two games (at Ravens, vs. Cowboys).

Alex Singleton is a keeper

Singleton turned down solid paydays from the CFL to chase his NFL dream with the Eagles and he's rewarded Howie Roseman and Jim Schwartz with outstanding linebacker play. Since Nate Gerry left the lineup, the Eagles have improved leaps and bounds at the linebacker position. Singleton and his aggressive but efficient play is a major reason for the improvement. Against Arizona, Singleton posted his fifth double-digit tackle game has 11 tackles per in each of the last three contests. Singleton made a huge stop on Cardinals running back Chase Edmonds that helped the Eagles defense turn Arizona over on downs.

Doug Pederson knows what he's doing

There had been questions in the prior weeks with Carson Wentz at quarterback, about Doug Pederson's prowess as a play-caller. The Eagles head coach appears to have regained his playcalling magic after benching Wentz for the rookie, Jalen Hurts. Hurts went 24 of 44 for 338 yards and three touchdowns against the Cardinals, along with 63 rushing yards and one touchdown. Most importantly, he hasn’t thrown an interception since entering the lineup and he's done a great job of keeping the Eagles out of negative plays. Pederson has gone from a coach who was all but fired with Wentz at the helm, to a guy looking like he has it all together when the quarterback simply follows the gameplan and takes what the defense gives him.