When the New York Giants and Philadelphia Eagles kick off their NFC divisional-round game on Saturday, history will be made.
For fans of mobile quarterbacks, there are few playoff matchups that could’ve been more enticing. While Justin Fields led all signal-callers in rushing yards (1,143) and yards per carry (7.1), his Chicago Bears were nowhere close to postseason contention in 2022.
Despite missing two games with a shoulder injury, Hurts led NFL quarterbacks in rushing attempts (165), rushing touchdowns (13) and rushing first downs (67), while ranking fourth in rushing yards (760) and fifth in yards per carry (4.6). In 16 games, Jones finished third in rushing first downs (57), tied for third in rushing touchdowns (seven), fourth in rushing attempts (120) and yards per carry (5.9), and fifth in rushing yards (708) and rushing yards per game (44.3).
It was by far the best overall campaigns for both players, as Hurts earned his first Pro Bowl nod and Jones made a good case for a contract extension. The Giants didn’t pick up Jones’ fifth-year option last spring.
New York’s defense will surely have to focus on stopping Pro Bowl running back Miles Sanders — plus Hurts’ stacked group of pass-catching options, including A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith and Dallas Goedert — but perhaps most importantly must deal with the Philadelphia QB’s legs. Jones doesn’t have the luxury of throwing to as talented a wide receiver and tight end group as Hurts, but he has one of the best running backs in the game in two-time Pro Bowler Saquon Barkley.
Ultimately, though, this game could come down to which QB makes the most plays with his leg — particularly with Hurts recovering from a shoulder injury that sidelined him for two straight games late in the season.
The Eagles host the Giants at 8:15 p.m. ET on Saturday.
