If it seemed like Jalen Hurts was playing on another level in the first half of Super Bowl LVII, it’s because he actually was doing something unprecedented.
The Philadelphia Eagles quarterback rushed for two touchdowns in the first half against the Kansas City Chiefs, becoming only the second QB to have two rushing touchdowns in a Super Bowl. Jim McMahon turned the feat in Super Bowl XX.
Jalen Hurts into the end zone for his 2nd TD run of the game!
21-14 Eagles. #SuperBowl pic.twitter.com/4PfUkm5xdn
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) February 13, 2023
Also, with his scoring strike to A.J. Brown, Hurts became the first player in NFL history with two rushing TDs and a passing TD in a Super Bowl.
So looks like the first half of Super Bowl football for @JalenHurts has gone well. pic.twitter.com/5zKuY6bbDf
— Rich Eisen (@richeisen) February 13, 2023
Outside of a costly fumble that the Chiefs turned into a touchdown return, Hurts looked like the best quarterback on the planet in the first half of Super Bowl LVII. He completed 17-of-22 passes for 183 yards and that touchdown pass to Brown. He added 63 rushing yards and two scores on the ground as the Eagles took a 24-14 lead at the half.
NFL Twitter praised Hurts’ performance. Yahoo Sports’ Frank Schwab tweeted, “Jalen Hurts was so good, you wonder if he and the Eagles were playing a little coy with the injured shoulder talk before Super Bowl LVII. Either way, Hurts set some SB history before Rihanna started singing.
Jalen Hurts was so good, you wonder if he and the Eagles were playing a little coy with the injured shoulder talk before Super Bowl LVII. Either way, Hurts set some SB history before Rihanna started singing. https://t.co/l1teU0uhSL
— Frank Schwab (@YahooSchwab) February 13, 2023
Jalen Hurts at halftime:
17/22
246 total yards
3 TDs
116.3 passer ratingOther than the fumble, he’s been perfect. pic.twitter.com/PR5g2mEpkO
— Brenden Deeg (@BrendenDeeg_) February 13, 2023
Jalen Hurts is the modern day Willie Beamen
— Coop (@KillemAllCoop) February 13, 2023
No wonder Hurts entered the Super Bowl at +125 odds to win MVP, just behind Super Bowl LVII at +120 at DraftKings Sportsbook.