By David Weinberg
Banner planes are commonplace at the Jersey Shore.
They fly over the beaches each summer, toting signs that range from advertising for local businesses to marriage proposals.
“Will you marry me, (insert woman’s name)?” is usually spotted at least once a summer, which makes me spend the rest of the day wondering if she said, “yes” or told the guy to stick his head in the sand.
A banner plane was spotted above Lincoln Financial Field last Sunday, toting a message relating to the drama that revolved around Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts and wide receiver A.J. Brown.
“Enough Fake News!” it said. “Philly Stands with 1 (Hurts) and 11 (Brown).”
Message received.
A passing attack that had been dormant for much of the past few games reappeared with a vengeance against the Steelers.
Hurts completed 25 of 32 passes for 290 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions. Most of the completions went to Brown and fellow wide receiver DeVonta Smith, combined for 19 catches for 219 yards and both TDs in a resounding, 27-13 victory.
“So that’s what you all wanted to see, huh?” Hurts said after the game.
The performance served to strengthen the Eagles’ offense as a well-balanced unit that can beat opponents in a variety of ways.
For much of the year, they’ve relied on running back Saquon Barkley, who leads the NFL in rushing with 1,688 yards. Barkley has been the key to the Eagles’ offensive success for most of the season, surpassing the 100-yard mark in nine games, including a franchise-record 257-yard effort against the Rams on November 24.
But with the Steelers keying on Barkley, limiting him to 65 yards on 19 carries, Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore turned to Hurts and company.
“The grass will be green where you water it,” Hurts said. “Obviously, we’ve been watering the running game a good bit. We decided to water it (in the passing game against the Steelers) and we saw the fruits of our labor in that.
”We want to continue to be well-rounded, push to be well-rounded, and water all areas of our yard.”
At the moment, the Eagles have a lush, green lawn that is the envy of their NFC East neighbors.
The problem is that the Eagles may not be playing in their own yard come playoff time.
Owners of a team-record 10 straight wins, their 12-2 record has left them tied with the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings for the best record in the NFC.
Should they wind up with the same record as either the Lions or Vikings – the teams play each other in the regular-season finale – the Eagles will most likely be the No. 2 seed in the conference playoffs and as such may have to play on the road in the NFC Championship game.
All the sprinklers in the world won’t help if they’re playing on the artificial surfaces in Detroit or Minnesota.
The top seed is not out of play, however.
The Eagles’ top remaining opponent figures to be this Sunday’s game at FedEx Field against the Washington Commanders (9-5), who are in second place in the NFC East.
A victory would give the Eagles the division title and set them up for a stretch run against the Cowboys (6-8) and Giants (4-10).
The Lions have enjoyed an amazing season, but have suffered a slew of injuries, especially on defense, where 11 key players are sidelined.
It finally caught up to them on Sunday in a 48-42 loss to the Buffalo Bills, who scored seemingly at will.
Detroit has to hope its high-powered offense can carry them past the Bears (4-10), 49ers (6-8) and Vikings, who they face in the regular-season finale.
The Vikings have the toughest road to the number one seed with games against the Seahawks (8-6), Packers (10-4) and Lions left, though quarterback Sam Darnold and company have risen to almost every other challenge this season.
Regardless of seeding the Eagles should be in good position for a deep playoff run.
Maybe the grass really is greener on the other side.
Assuming they can keep watering it.
Local enters NCAA transfer portal
Army running back Kanye Udoh, a St. Augustine Prep graduate and Mays Landing resident, became the latest college football player to enter the transfer portal this week.
Udoh, who rushed for 1,117 yards and 10 touchdowns this season as a sophomore, will have two more seasons of eligibility remaining.
The 6-foot, 190-pounder has visits scheduled this week to Missouri, SMU, Arizona State and North Carolina, who recently hired Bill Belichick as their new head coach and Ocean City resident Mike Lombardi as their general manager.
Local NFL update
Tennessee Titans defensive lineman Abdullah Anderson (Absegami High School) is on the team’s practice squad.
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Bo Melton (Cedar Creek High School) was on the field for two offensive snaps and played special teams in a 30-13 win over the Seattle Seahawks.
Arizona Cardinals rookie cornerback Max Melton (Cedar Creek), Bo’s younger brother, had two tackles, including one for a loss, in a 30-17 win over the New England Patriots last Sunday.
David is a nationally recognized sports columnist who has covered Philadelphia and local sports for over 40 years. After 35 years with The Press, he has served as a columnist for 973ESPN.com and created his own Facebook page, Dave Weinberg Extra Points.
Send comments to weinbergd419@comcast.net.
