Kellen Moore decided to throw the ball in a blizzard after Jalen Hurts went into the medical tent with what appeared to be a knee injury. Dallas Cowboys fans were immediately panicked about the possibility that the Philadelphia Eagles’ offensive coordinator could soon be their new head coach.
The questionable play call resulted in complete and total disaster. Momentarily, at least.
Hurts was wrapped up in the backfield on 2nd-and-15 during the third quarter by Rams defensive lineman Jaylen McCullough. His legs bent awkwardly under him and he was slow to get up. The 26-year-old quarterback stayed in the game but required a brief trip to the medical tent. His knee was sore.
Not only did Hurts’ injury limit his mobility, the field conditions got considerably worse throughout the second half. It was a full-blown blizzard in sub-30-degree weather. The accumulation is one thing. The field freezing over is another.
Both of those factors — combined with a bum knee — is a recipe for disaster.
With that in mind, and Saquon Barkley in the backfield, Kellen Moore still decided to throw the ball while Philadelphia held a three-point lead late in the third quarter. He called a pass play on 2nd-and-8 from his own eight-yard-line.
Hurts could not move and took a sack in the end zone to gift Los Angeles two points and the ball.
There was no reason to throw the ball in that situation. A handoff to one of the best running backs in NFL history would have been a much better idea. Kellen Moore overcomplicated the situation and paid the price.
Dallas Cowboys fans were torn on how to react. On one hand, they want the Eagles to lose at all costs. On the other hand, Moore might soon be the next head coach in Arlington. The mind-boggling play call that led to the safety was not what they wanted to see from a guy who could soon lead their entire team.
