Jalen Hurts and Tua Tagovailoa are Silencing the Critics

Former Alabama quarterbacks Jalen Hurts and Tua Tagovailoa entered the 2022 season with questions about whether or not they would be their respective teams long term answer under center in the future. Both have quickly put those questions to bed and are silencing the critics after delivering historic performances in week two.

Tagovailoa engineered a 21-point comeback to win 42-38 over the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday. The Dolphins quarterback caught fire in the fourth quarter. He went 13-of-17 passing for 199 yards and four touchdowns, tying the NFL record for the most passing touchdowns in the fourth quarter, including the game-winner to Jaylen Waddle with 14 seconds left.

"It's a collection of everyone working together,” Tagovailoa said after the game. “The offensive line gave me time in the backfield. The receivers got open and I was able to get the ball to them as they were able to get yards after the catch. We just have to keep playing regardless of what the scoreboard looks like."

He finished the game with 469 pass yards and six touchdowns, which tied a Dolphins single-game record. He is the second player in team history with 450+ pass yards in a game, joining Hall of Famer Dan Marino. Tagovailoa also joined Patrick Mahomes as the only players 24 years old or younger to pass for more than 450 yards in a game.

It was a day that we can look back on as the turning point in Tagovailoa’s career. Not only did it show what he can do as a passer, but the leadership to will his team to victory when facing major adversity.

Hurts put on a show of his own on Monday Night Football. He was locked in front the start, going a perfect 10-of-10 passing for 154 yards and two total touchdowns. He was accurate and decisive with his throws. The Vikings were unable to slow down the Eagles offensive attack as they accumulated 347 yards of total offense in the first half.

Hurts became the first player in NFL history to have 300+ passing yards, complete 80-percent of his passes and rush for two touchdowns. The Eagles quarterback has improved every single year since he was 18 years old and now everything is coming together for him.

"He is going to reach his ceiling. It's fun watching him grow," said head coach Nick Sirianni.

The Eagles defeated a Vikings team 24-7 that appeared a week ago they could be one of the NFC’s top teams. The narrative has flipped after Philadelphia is now 2-0 for the first time since 2016.

Hurts is seeing the benefits of playing in the same offensive system in consecutive years for the first time since high school. While, Tagovailoa is enjoying playing for an offensive head coach for the first time in his career and having possibly the league’s two fastest guys playing wide receiver.