Jalen Hurts: Jets coach Robert Saleh boasts his defense has ’embarrassed a gauntlet of quarterbacks’ after intercepting Eagles star three times in upset victory

New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh had high praise for his defense following their 20-14 win over the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday.

The Jets handed Philadelphia its first defeat of the season at MetLife Stadium, with their formidable defense intercepting Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts on three occasions to spark the upset.

In recent weeks, New York has come up against three star quarterbacks in Hurts, the Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes and the Bills’ Josh Allen, restricting the trio to three touchdown passes while recording eight interceptions.

‘I thought defense, per the usual, [was] outstanding.’ Saleh said after Sunday’s victory over the Eagles. 

‘Through these first six weeks, we played a gauntlet of quarterbacks. I know we haven’t gotten all wins but we’ve embarrassed all of them.’ 

The New York Jets (3-3) upset the Philadelphia Eagles (5-1), 20-14, in their Week 6 game

Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts was intercepted three times in the game, a career-high tally

‘Just really really proud of the defense and it’s resolve.’

Tony Adams set up the game-winning touchdown for the Jets by intercepting Hurts on a third-and-9 pass and returning it 45 yards to the Eagles’ 8-yard line. Breece Hall then scored on the next play to give the hosts a 20-14 lead after a successful two-point pass. 

‘He’s a handful, Hurts,’ Saleh continued. ‘And their whole line of receivers. Thought our guys battled all the way through.’

The Jets are 3-3 this season and sit third in the AFC East. 

As for the quarterback matchups, they are 2-1 against teams with quarterbacks in the top 10 (after Week 6). Besides Philadelphia, who have the top-ranked quarterback in the NFL in Hurts, the Jets won against the Buffalo Bills (#3 QB) and lost to the Kansas City Chiefs (#2 QB). 

Meanwhile, Saleh’s side is 1-2 against quarterbacks outside the top ten. The Jets have a win over the Denver Broncos and losses to the Dallas Cowboys and New England Patriots. 

The Jets have won two of their three games against top-10 quarterbacks so far this season

‘Thought breaking a snap that had an excellent game plan. Down three quarters, four of our six quarters– I thought our D-line was good in terms of getting in the pocket,’ Saleh added about Sunday’s win. 

The gauntlet continues for the Jets as their next three games includes matchups against the New York Giants, Los Angeles Chargers and Las Vegas Raiders. 

The Giants’ primary quarterback, Daniel Jones, missed Week 6 with a neck injury. LA’s Justin Herbert is currently ranked fifth in the quarterback index while Las Vegas’ Jimmy Garoppolo sits in the 22nd spot ahead of Week 7.