Eagles rookie quarterback Carson Wentz looked like the next Ben Roethlsiberger on Sunday, as he completed 23 of 31 passes for 301 yards and two touchdowns (he eluded several Steelers pass-rushers as he scrambled to his right before connecting with Sproles on the aforementioned big play).
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From Darren Sproles’ 73-yard catch and run to Fletcher Cox’s strip sack, players who have had their talents wasted in recent years are finally delivering. “Wentz looks like a really smart quarterback – not just athletic, but smart”, said Tony Casselli, manager of The Bayou Bar and Grill. We’re playing inspired football.
The Steelers (2-1) finally got on the scoreboard on a 40-yard field goal by Chris Boswell with 7:40 left in the first half.
The Eagles rookie coach compared the Eagles rookie quarterback to, you know, one of the best quarterbacks of all time Monday.
For the first time this season, Carson Wentz actually had the numbers to back up some of the hype. “I’m on the Wentz wagon”. They are the Eagles and – drum roll, please – the Vikings, with Sam Bradford as their quarterback.
“What he’s doing is special and it’s a testament to his preparation and demeanor”, Eagles safety Malcolm Jenkins said of Wentz.
Rookie defensive back Jalen Mills played 54 snaps, or one less than he played in the first two games combined. Antonio Brown finished the game with 12 catches for 140 yards on 18 targets.
It’s hard to combat this level of overt, premature overreaction while we still live in a world where Skip Bayless is one of our highest paid sports “pundits”. “We took an ass-kicking”. We don’t quit. I don’t quit. “Three weeks ago when I named Carson the starter a few eyebrows were raised, but now these guys are bought in”. But next Monday, I’m going to tell them, ‘Hey, we’re back to work. They had a better plan. We were highly penalized. The Eagles huddle. They’ve re-birthed time of possession. Alas, it was and I am thoroughly worn out from watching that hot mess they put on the field yesterday.
COLTS 26, CHARGERS 22 (at Indianapolis) – Andrew Luck shook off a sore throwing shoulder, then watched T.Y. Hilton break a tackle on a 63-yard touchdown pass with 1:17 to play for Indianapolis. After shutting down Big Ben and the high-powered Steelers, the Eagles have allowed just two defensive TDs in three games. But Wentz made it happen with his smarts and skills.
The attention, expectations and adulation will only grow if Wentz and the Eagles keep up this kind of play. Wentz went on an wonderful driving, using Sproles and other receivers carving up the “Steel Curtain” to gain a 3-0 lead. But much of what he did was get the ball to the right players and allow them to punish the Pittsburgh defense. He came up to me after the game, you feel me?
Coaches and teammates talk about Wentz arriving to the practice facility before 6 a.m.
After a frightful outing against the Eagles the team now has to regroup and focus on the Chiefs. They have proved they are not only to be a threat in the NFC East, but a force to be reckoned with in the entire NFC.
Eagles head coach Doug Pederson is undeniably on it, as he should be.
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What did you make of the game play? This team is too talented offensively to not win over 10 games and the defense will continue to improve.
