NFL Exec: 'I Don't Think' Jalen Hurts Can Beat Commanders 'Throwing the Ball'

One NFL executive doesn't believe the Philadelphia Eagles can beat the Washington Commanders in Sunday's NFC Championship Game on the strength of Jalen Hurts' arm.

However, he has faith that the Eagles' run game, featuring Hurts and running back Saquon Barkley, could get the job done.

"I don't think Jalen can beat them throwing the ball," the executive told Jeff Howe of The Athletic. "But if (Barkley and Hurts) are both going in the running game, they're really, really hard to beat. If Washington can stop (Barkley), they have a chance."

The executive was part of an anonymous panel of NFL coaches and front office personnel to predict the winner of Sunday's conference championship games. Nine experts chose the Eagles to win, while three picked the Commanders.

One coach certainly favors the Eagles in this one.

"(The Eagles are) a much more complete team," the coach told Howe. "If the QB takes care of it and avoids taking seven sacks, including a safety, I like their chances of winning big."

Philadelphia and Washington have played twice this season, splitting a pair of games. Hurts suffered a concussion in the first quarter of the Commanders' 36-33 road win on Dec. 22, when Washington quarterback Jayden Daniels threw five touchdown passes.

On Nov. 14, Hurts went 18-of-28 for 221 yards in a 26-18 home win. Barkley accounted for 146 rushing yards and two touchdowns in that one.

In the playoffs, the Eagles' run game has been the difference offensively. Barkley ran for 119 yards in a 22-10 win over the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Wild Card round while Hurts threw for 131 yards and two scores. And then on a snowy day in Philadelphia, the Eagles accounted for 285 total rushing yards and three scores (Barkley went for 205 and two, while Hurts had 70 and one). Hurts threw for 128 yards on 15-of-20 passing.

Obviously, it's clear what's working for the Eagles right now. Philadelphia could certainly get the pass game going, especially with a star trio of pass-catchers in wideouts A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith and tight end Dallas Goedert. But the Eagles also may not have to necessarily given how strong the running game has been.

Kickoff at Lincoln Financial Field is set for Sunday at 3 p.m. ET.