Let’s break this down. The national media loves narratives. They love picking favorites and crafting stories that fit their view of the league. But sometimes, their math just doesn’t add up, and nowhere is this more evident than with the Philadelphia Eagles, their head coach Nick Sirianni, quarterback Jalen Hurts, and even a broader look at the MVP race.

Nick Sirianni: Not an "X’s and O’s Guy"?

First, let’s tackle Nick Sirianni. According to some, Sirianni isn’t a great head coach because he isn’t an “X’s and O’s guy.” What does that even mean? Last time we checked, being a head coach isn’t just about drawing up plays. It’s about leadership, culture, and execution. Sirianni has taken a talented roster and built a machine. Under his leadership, the Eagles are consistent, disciplined, and explosive in all three phases of the game.

But because he doesn’t play the role of the stereotypical “offensive genius” in front of the cameras, the media dismisses him. Funny, though—they didn’t apply this same criticism to coaches like Mike Tomlin, whose leadership has been universally praised despite not being pigeonholed as a schematics wizard. Sirianni’s record speaks for itself. If winning isn’t enough to prove a head coach’s worth, what is?

Jalen Hurts: A "Game Manager"?

Now, let’s talk about Jalen Hurts. The national media loves to call him a “game manager,” as if that’s some kind of insult. But let’s be real: Hurts is thriving because he’s playing the ultimate team-first football. His numbers might not break records in the passing game this year, but that’s because the Eagles are pounding the ball. When you’ve got one of the best offensive lines in the league and a dominant run game, why wouldn’t you lean on it?

Hurts isn’t out there playing hero ball, and he’s not being a diva about stats. He’s doing exactly what his team needs to win, week in and week out. And for the first time, he’s smiling—because all he cares about is the team and winning. That’s leadership. That’s MVP-level maturity. But instead of celebrating his unselfishness and efficiency, the media downplays it, as if running an unstoppable offense is somehow less impressive than slinging it for 400 yards in a loss.

Saquon Barkley and the MVP Bias

And then there’s Saquon Barkley. The man is having a historic season for the Giants, single-handedly carrying an offense that might otherwise be unwatchable. If this were 1995, he’d be the runaway MVP favorite. But in today’s league, MVP means “quarterback,” and even then, it often means “quarterback on the right team.”

If the MVP race were truly about value, Barkley would be in the conversation alongside Hurts. But instead, he’s treated like an afterthought because the media’s criteria for MVP seem to change depending on the narrative they want to push.

The Inconsistencies Are Obvious

Here’s the bottom line: The media’s takes don’t add up. They criticize Nick Sirianni for not being enough of an X’s and O’s guy, dismiss Jalen Hurts for being a game manager then also ignore Saquon Barkley’s historic contributions because it doesn’t fit their quarterback-centric MVP narrative. It’s lazy, inconsistent, and frankly, insulting to fans who actually watch the games.

The Eagles are the best team in football right now. Jalen Hurts is one of the most dynamic players in the league. Nick Sirianni is a top-tier head coach. Saquon Barkley is doing things that should earn him MVP chatter. If the national media can’t figure out how to do the math, that’s on them.

But here in Philly, we see the truth—and the numbers don’t lie.

The Eagles are 10-2.

Go BIRDS!