Jalen Hurts’ future looks a lot like Cam Newton’s past.
All of Hurts’ touchdowns against the Bears on Sunday came on the ground, giving him 13 rushing scores in 14 games this season. That’s three more than he had last season when he set the franchise record for rushing touchdowns by a quarterback.
In 2011, Newton set the league record for most rushing touchdowns by a quarterback in a season with 14. The NFL, which played a 16-game regular season then, added a 17th game last season.
Newton scored his 14th rushing touchdown in the Panthers’ 15th game. On Sunday against Dallas, Hurts can do the same.
Hurts didn’t have a rushing touchdown when the teams played in Week 6. He didn’t have one in Week 7 or 8 either. But in the past six weeks, Hurts has seven rushing touchdowns. The only team to keep him out of the end zone during that stretch was the Packers on Nov. 26.
Barring injury or a precautionary move, Hurts has a realistic chance of breaking Newton’s touchdown record. It may not happen against Dallas, which has given up seven rushing touchdowns all season, but against the Saints on New Year’s Day.
If not, Hurts would need the Giants game in Week 17 to get the record. Of course, if things go well for the Eagles (13-1), Hurts may not even play in that game.
Perhaps head coach Nick Sirianni will find a way to get his quarterback a touchdown against Dallas or New Orleans. A score in each would give him sole ownership of the record in 16 games, with no need for a 17-game asterisk.
With a touchdown record behind him, Hurts could concentrate on going to the Super Bowl and winning the MVP — just as Newton did in 2015.
