It wasn’t ideal. But at the same time, he’s seeing things really well. He’s commanding the huddle, and the dialogue on the sideline with the players and coaches with him is something that a nine-, 10-year vet would do.
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Wentz showed plenty of poise, just as he did on debut against Cleveland.
Indeed, the NFL’s bright lights shining down on the former FCS champion from North Dakota in the country’s third-largest market didn’t equate to a stage too big for the No. 2 overall pick.
“I couldn’t get as much on it as I wanted to, to put it over the top of that ‘backer”, Cutler said. “Everything’s sweet. But again, it was a football game and we came out with a win”.
Ryan Mathews ran for two scores, and the Eagles (2-0) scored two touchdowns late in a pivotal third quarter to break open a two-point game.
On his next series, on third-and-9, Wentz, again unfazed, kept his eyes downfield to loft a ideal touch throw to tight end Trey Burton to move the chains as Akiem Hicks collapsed the pocket and drew a roughing flag following a shot to Wentz’s head.
The first represented what was arguably the most egregious mistake any Eagles player made Monday: Jordan Matthews’ drop of what should have been a 35-yard touchdown from Wentz late in the first half, a pass that traveled in a smooth and flawless parabola from Wentz’s right hand to the foot of empty air in front of Matthews’ chest.
Caleb Sturgis drilled a 53-yarder near the end of the second quarter to give the Eagles a 9-7 lead at halftime, tying his second-longest career field goal. He was replaced by Brian Hoyer after throwing an interception to Eagles linebacker Nigel Bradham with 36 seconds left in the third quarter. He made a great throw rolling to his left and hitting Trey Burton in the middle of the field.
While wearing a cast on his right hand after the game, Cutler, 33, said he was “concerned” about the thumb. The question facing the Bears (0-2) is whether Cutler should undergo surgery, Rapoport reported.
Not only did the Chicago Bears lose the game, but they also lost their starting quarterback. They understand it. They’re professionals, and they pride themselves obviously on catching the football, and you could tell last night that they were mad at themselves. That has pushed Bears coach John Fox and his staff into a heightened sense of urgency as they try to overcome an 0-2 start and a rash of injuries. This team has a lot of work to do on this short week before they take on the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday night.
Cutler was 12-of-17 for 157 yards and the interception.
But before he left the field, he got an earful from injured linebacker Pernell McPhee on the sideline.
Later, Nelson Agholor failed to catch two contested passes, one of which would have been a touchdown, and though those plays were more hard than Matthews’, it’s fair to expect a first-round pick such as Agholor to make them.
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“I’m fine with that”, Cutler said. “Everybody’s got a lot vested into this”.
