Eagles Shut Out Raiders 31-0, Hurts Celebrates with Hit on A.J. Brown

In a Sunday showdown that felt like a release valve, the Philadelphia Eagles silenced the Las Vegas Raiders with a 31‑0 shutout. Jalen Hurts capped the win with a celebratory helmet‑to‑helmet hit on A.J. Brown after a touchdown pass, a moment that seemed to break the tension that had built up during a losing streak.

Game Overview

The Eagles, now 9‑5, faced a Raiders squad that had finished the season at 2‑12 and had been described as one of the league’s worst. Philadelphia’s defense limited the Raiders to just 75 total yards, while the offense scored 31 points, the first time the team had reached that mark in six games. The victory was the Eagles’ first shutout since December 30, 2018, against Washington.

Offensive Fireworks

Hurts threw three touchdown passes in a game that was his first after throwing four interceptions and losing a fumble in an overtime loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. He finished 12 of 15 for 175 yards. Saquon Barkley added a 2‑yard rushing touchdown, and the team’s offense was described as “nice mix of play calling” in bitter cold temperatures. A 44‑yard reception by DeVonta Smith and a 4‑yard touchdown pass to Dallas Goedert helped the Eagles build a 24‑0 lead.

Defensive Dominance

The defense’s performance was highlighted by Brandon Graham, who recorded his first two sacks since returning from retirement. At 37 years, 255 days old, Graham became the oldest player in Eagles history to record a sack, surpassing Richard Dent’s 1997 mark. The Raiders were limited to 46 rushing yards and were forced into their eighth straight loss. Raiders coach Pete Carroll praised the team’s effort, saying, “It looked like a great team today.”

Hurts’ Redemption

Hurts’ personal win came after a shaky start to the season. He celebrated a 27‑yard touchdown to A.J. Brown early in the fourth quarter, turning the game into a blowout. When asked about the celebration, he replied, “Just a natural reaction,” through his usual stoicism. The quarterback’s performance helped the Eagles move past the criticism that had surfaced as the season began to waver.

Barkley’s Big Play

Barkley’s 2‑yard touchdown run helped the Eagles take a 17‑0 halftime lead. He said, “I feel like we got caught up in stuff that doesn’t matter,” adding, “The only thing that matters is winning football.” The running back’s contribution was a reminder that the Eagles’ offense was still capable of explosive plays.

Coaching Praise

Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni tossed an arm around Hurts and yelled happy words at the quarterback. When asked about Hurts’ starting job, Sirianni scoffed at a “ridiculous” question on a weekly Philadelphia sports talk radio appearance. “We’ve been committed to playing Eagles football and doing the things we need to do to play Eagles football,” Sirianni said, emphasizing the team’s focus on detail and togetherness.

Raiders’ Perspective

Kenny Pickett, the Raiders’ rookie quarterback in his first start for injured Geno Smith, threw only 64 yards and was sacked four times. Pickett, who won a Super Bowl ring last season as Hurts’ backup, struggled to find rhythm. Raiders coach Pete Carroll offered faint praise, saying, “The only good thing that happened, we didn’t have anybody hurt today.”

Injuries and Resilience

Both Hurts and Barkley were checked out by trainers on the sidelines but remained in the game until the score was out of reach. After the game, the two players stated they were fine. The Eagles’ roster also dealt with injuries: DeVonta Smith suffered a right shoulder and hand injury in the third quarter of the previous week’s 24‑17 loss to Denver, but he is expected to return next week when the Raiders visit Houston.

Upcoming Matchups

The Raiders will play Houston on Sunday, while the Eagles will face the Washington Commanders Saturday night in Landover, Maryland. The Eagles still control the NFC East and have a home playoff game in sight, keeping the possibility of a repeat Super Bowl title alive.

Key Takeaways

• Philadelphia’s defense limited the Raiders to 75 total yards and earned the team’s first shutout since 2018.
• Hurts threw three touchdown passes and celebrated a hit on A.J. Brown, signaling a turnaround.
• Brandon Graham became the oldest Eagles player to record a sack at 37 years, 255 days old.

The 31‑0 victory, complete with a celebratory hit, a dominant defense, and a rebounding offense, put the Eagles back on a path toward playoff contention and reminded fans that the season still holds promise.