The Good, the Bad and the Wentz
PHLSportsNation, I wish I were introducing myself on a better week.
My name is Brian Rogers, I am a lifelong Birds fan and am fired up to be writing with you all for this season.
Let’s try to figure out what the heck happened in Washington this past Sunday.
THE GOOD
Believe it or not, I did not until I watched the game again, the Eagles had a lot of positives to build on after their loss in Washington.
- Wentz until 1:37 left in the half
The Eagles offense looked to be firing on all cylinders to open up the game and played that way for most of the first half. Wentz was the driving force of the offense’s success early especially with Sanders not making the trip down to DC.
Wentz started the game 12 of 15 for 176 yards and 2 touchdowns, including one of the best throws of his career to Dallas Goedert for a score.
- Dallas Goedert
It could absolutely be argued that Dallas Goedert was the best Eagle on the field in the opening game hauling in 8 receptions for 101 yards to go along with a score. Godert’s play this season could dictate the future of Zach Ertz, which dominated the lead up to the game Sunday.
- Darius Slay
Look expectations are high for Slay and he didn’t have an amazing game. But how refreshing was it to not have an Eagles cornerback get burnt for a long touchdown when covering the opposing team’s best receiver? I might be reaching for “Goods” here but that was a win for Slay in my book.
- Jalen Reagor
Reagor didn’t have a great game only catching one pass for 55 yards on a 3rd and long but the play did give birth to #ReagorBomb and that was pretty cool.
Also, it was great to see his speed on game day is as advertised, just has to get on the same page as Wentz.
THE BAD
This game stunk, the Eagles lost to a team with no name so this list could be miles long but I picked out a few that were particularly bad.
- Injuries
It can never be an excuse and especially in a season like this with no preseason games, injuries are going to pile up for just about everyone. Injuries hit the Birds like a ton of bricks prior to and during week 1. In my opinion, the injured Eagle missed the most was Miles Sanders. The Eagles had a 17 point lead in this game and ran the ball 17 times total. I believe they have a much better balance with Sanders on the field. The Eagles were also missing Derek Barnett and Lane Johnson who was scratched hours before the game leaving rookie Jack Driscoll to start at the right tackle.
- The O-line
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In the offseason, the Eagles were looking at a potential starting line of (from LT-RT): Dillard, Seamlou, Kelce, Brooks, and Johnson. The Eagles trotted out Sunday with Peters, Seamalou, Kelce, Herbig and rookie Jack Driscoll. Obviously not ideal and the line struggled, giving up 8 sacks and having a bunch of miscommunications leading to free rushers. With Aaron Donald and the Rams up next, the offensive line needs to get in sync quickly.
- Zach Ertz
Zach Ertz had a tough week. He has been trying to work out a contract extension with the Eagles all summer, been a good soldier about it, and watched Jason Peters stamp his feet around and get $5 million added to his deal to play left tackle. Ertz allegedly had an animated confrontation with Eagles GM Howie Roseman and publicly is questioning whether the Eagles want him long term. Then, Sunday happened. Ertz only had 3 catches for 18 yards and while he did reel in a touchdown pass, he had a crucial drop in the fourth down, the fourth quarter that all but ended the Eagles day.
- Doug Pederson
Doug didn’t have a great game. You can put a lot on the offensive line and a lot on the quarterback in this one, but Jack Del Rio made adjustments in the second half and Doug simply did not seem to make any. Wentz was stationary in the pocket most of the day, moving him around would have helped the offensive line, and the run-pass ratio was brutal on the final stat sheet. The run game couldn’t get going but it is important to keep a defensive line honest, especially one as good as Washington’s.
- Jake Elliot
Yes, it was a longer kick than it had to be because of the sack on third down. Yes, a 53 yarder is a tough kick. But in an empty stadium with little to no wind and your team desperately in need of points, that kick needs to be three points.
THE WENTZ
I had Wentz until 1:37 in the second quarter in “The Good” column. Everything after that deserved its own column because he was absolute, abysmal.
- The INTs
Wentz threw two interceptions on Sunday. Both were on the first play of a drive AFTER three and outs by the defense and both resulted in touchdowns for the Washington Football Team. The first interception appeared to be a slight miscommunication with Wentz expecting Reagor to come back for the ball and Reagor expecting the ball to ball at the sidelines. The second interception was a ball that cannot be thrown when the corner has that good of a jump. Both interceptions were avoidable.
- The Sacks
The offensive line isn’t what it was supposed to be in the beginning of the offseason, but the line is what it is, Brooks and Dillard aren’t coming back and Johnson has been day to day since August 23rd. Wentz did a very poor job of helping his offensive line and held on to the ball far too long all day which led to sacks and a couple forced fumbles (one lost).
- Inaccuracies
Wentz, who as stated earlier started the games 12 of 15, finished the game 24 of 42. WHAT?? The only way that happens is inaccurate passes. Receivers were able to get separation, Reagor deep and Jackson deep at the end of the half stand out, and Wentz consistently missed throws he needs to make in order for this team to have a chance this year.
- Fumbles
Even though Wentz only lost one fumble on the last drive for the Eagles in desperation mode, it is alarming to see the ball hit the ground more than once. Fumbling has been a problem for Wentz since entering the league. Progress in protecting the ball inside the pocket HAS to come this year, but is not off to a good start.
- Missing open receivers
There were a number of completions to be had that were not thrown. Wentz seemed to be holding the ball too long and waiting for the home run to open up when he could have easily taken short routes that would have kept the chains moving and kept the offense on the field.
Carson Wentz had a horrendous second half of the football game and ultimately, was a key factor in the Eagles loss to The Football Team. Wentz needs to be more consistent as the season marches on. In an awkward offseason with no preseason, a tough start to the season can be expected but not of a franchise quarterback.
If the Eagles want to be in the division race at the end of the year, Wentz needs to take care of the ball, fix his accuracy issues and understand that a throwaway is sometimes the best play to make.
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