After the win Sunday, players didn’t seem to be in awe of the signal-caller’s performance after he completed 22 of 37 passes for 278 yards and avoided any unsightly blemishes. I think he’s going to be real special in terms of how he handles things and plays with poise.
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Jordan Matthews led the way with seven receptions for 114 yards and the touchdown, but did drop two of the four passes dropped (Darren Sproles had the other two) on the day. It was the first time the Eagles scored a TD on their first drive of a season since 2008.
Wentz will face a team that passed up a chance to draft him by trading the pick to Philadelphia. Not once, did Wentz force a throw.
Philadelphia Eagles’ Carson Wentz, left, and Cleveland Browns’ Robert Griffin III meet after an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Philadelphia.
Matthews emerged as the favorite target for Wentz in Philadelphia’s 29-10 victory over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, Sept. 11. With five minutes left, though, Daniel throws an interception in Eagles territory, Russell Wilson invariably capitalizes with a six-yard TD run, flipping into the end zone over a diving Brandon Graham.
Danny Shelton showed some bright plays for the team.
“He was serious”, veteran running back Darren Sproles said. The rookie marched the team down the field on the first drive for a touchdown, with the first of two flawless tosses for six. This will have a significant impact on the Eagles success. Pederson did a great job of play-calling by mixing in different looks and keeping a good balance of runs and passes. Despite finishing with two sacks, the pass rush was too lacking at times.
Josh McCown threw some warmup passes but Griffin stayed in despite the lopsided score. His deep ball was on point.
Wide receiver Corey Coleman, drafted No. 15 overall out of Baylor, started for Cleveland and caught two passes for 69 yards. The Browns defense couldn’t keep up with Wentz, wide receivers Jordan Matthews and Nelson Agholor, and tight end Zach Ertz. There is just no excuse for that. Then, after forcing a three-and-out, Spencer Ware finished a four-play drive with a touchdown plunge to knot the game at 27.
It was particularly noteworthy for Jenkins to offer that more cautious outlook on Wentz, because so many in the Eagles’ locker room were in such a hurry to toss laurels at the kid’s cleats.
After a spectacular rookie campaign in 2012 that saw Griffin win the Offensive Rookie of the Year Award and get named to the Pro Bowl, he suffered a significant knee injury in the playoffs. If Cleveland can not stop the pass, then it will be a struggle to win any game in the NFL.
– Griffin isn’t a rookie, but this was still a landmark game for him. This has been a problem for the team for many years and it seemed like it’s not going to significantly improve this season. The team has no chance if the offense can not play better than this. No quarterback can be great with if he’s not being protected. I went to school in Nashville so I said, ‘If I am going to learn this guy’s mindset, I am going to listen to his music.’ I never been to North Dakota so I got to feel who he is.
Tight end Brent Celek: “First game as a rookie, I don’t know how you could do much better than that”.
After watching this game, this is the most excited Eagles fans have been in years. On Wentz’s second drive, Emmanuel Ogbah knocked down a third-down pass to force a punt. I just wanted him to relax and take a look around.
Everyone likes a good trick play, especially when it works, as the unexpected is exciting and can help swing the momentum of a close game.
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The Eagles visit the Bears on Monday night in Week 2.
