Through the Philadelphia Eagles’ first two games last season, quarterback Jalen Hurts had 576 passing yards and 147 rushing yards. After two games this season, Hurts has 363 passing yards and 72 passing yards.

More pertinently for the former Alabama standout than those stats: The Eagles defeated the New England Patriots 25-20 and the Minnesota Vikings 34-28 to open the 2023 campaign.

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Neither team played conventionally on defense against the defending NFC champion after Hurts became the first quarterback in NFL history with a passing-efficiency rating of 100 or better and at least 10 touchdowns runs in the same season in 2022.

“It’s not about me; it’s about us,” Hurts said. “And so, if they are doing something there for me, we got 250 yards rushing to do that. There are multiple ways to win. The thing that I want to make clear is: When did winning not become the main thing? I always say, ‘Keep the main thing the main thing,’ where winning is the only thing that truly matters.

“Obviously, you have important things. You have priorities, and I think you have 1A and 1B. 1A is winning. 1B is playing to the standard. Now you can win, but not play to the standard, and you’re still unfulfilled. You can play to the standard and not win, and you’re still unfulfilled. So what matters?”

As for what the standard is, Hurts said that’s something he sets.

“The standard is something that’s internal,” Hurts said. “It’s something that is undefined by anyone else but myself, and it rises every day, and so that’s the challenge. That’s what we challenge ourselves with as players. We make mistakes; we learn from them. We do great things; we learn from them. That’s what the game is about, that’s what this sport is about.

“And so we just want to continue to grow and develop as a team, learn from our successes, learn from our mistakes, and grow together. At the end of the day, you have no team, you have no dream. It takes everyone.”

Hurts and the Eagles will try again to accomplish 1A and 1B when they face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at 6:15 p.m. CDT Monday at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. ABC will televise the game.

“They’ve always had a really good defense and always been a really good team,” Hurts said. “They’re coached by a great coach and have great players and personnel there. It’s another challenge for us in attacking them and controlling what we can for us.”

Hurts faced Tampa Bay twice in his first season as Philadelphia’s starting QB. The Bucs beat the Eagles 28-22 on Oct. 14, 2021, then scored a 31-15 victory in the playoffs on Jan. 16, 2022.

In those two games, Hurts completed 35-of-69 passes for 373 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions and ran for 83 yards on 18 carries.

“We’re talking about two years ago,” Hurts said. “I’d expect to be a better player. It’s just about growing, and that’s just been what I’ve been able to do, and that’s what I always strive to do is just to grow every day.”

During the postseason game, NFL Films recorded Tampa Bay cornerbacks coach Kevin Ross telling Bucs players about Hurts: “This guy can’t read (defenses). Keep him moving around now. He can’t read. He’s going to give us a couple.”

Ross remains Tampa Bay cornerbacks coach.

Asked about the film clip on Thursday, Hurts answered: “I’m wired to give my best and to play to my standard, but a little extra inspiration never hurts.”

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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.