Eagles News: Carson Wentz is still very much Carson Wentz

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Eagles vs. Colts: Winners and losers - BGN
Wentz didn’t post an amazing stat line; he finished 25/37 for 255 yards, one touchdown, one real bad interception, and a 84.9 passer rating. He also got strip-sacked to allow the Colts to recover in the red zone. But overall, this was an encouraging performance from Wentz in his first game back from injury. He showed no physical limitations. Jsut the opposite, really. He looked great moving around out there. The combination of his strength and mobility really came in handy on that clutch 3rd-and-9 conversion to Nelson Agholor late in the game. Wentz is going to get better as he continues to ease back into the offense and the Eagles aren’t missing their top two running backs and three of their top four wide receivers. I’m sure of it.

Eagles Defeat Colts 20-16 Recap - BGN Radio
John Stolnis is joined by Michael Kist to break down another close win for the Eagles as they defeat the Colts 20-16. Detailing Wentz’s day, the offensive scheme, defensive red zone performance and Barnett’s big sack, all that and more on this episode of BGN Radio!

Handing out 10 awards from the Eagles-Colts game - PhillyVoice
I wouldn’t say Wentz looked exactly like he did a year ago in terms of his ability to escape the pocket and extend plays, but it wasn’t that far off. I thought the following play was his most impressive with his legs, but there were a handful to choose from. Wentz was also sacked five times, which, you know, isn’t normally good, but maybe it wasn’t the worst thing for him to be hit a number of times so that he could kind of get his feet wet? Is that dumb? Well, whatever. He stepped on a field again, and looked physically like he’s going to be a problem for opposing defenses again in 2018 like he was a year ago.

Eagles Hold on for Tough Win - Iggles Blitz
The Eagles defense was outstanding. The Colts finished with 209 yards. Two broken plays by Andrew Luck, a scramble and a pass, accounted for 62 of those yards. To be fair, the Colts offense did not look good. Andrew Luck is healthy, but nowhere close to 100 percent. He cannot drive the ball downfield. On the Hail Mary at the end of the game, Indy brought in backup QB Jacoby Brissett, knowing Luck would struggle to throw the ball 60 yards. I expected the Eagles pass rush to be better than what it was. It did seem like Luck got rid of the ball quickly on a fair amount of the pass plays. The biggest play of the game came on 4th and 3 when Derek Barnett flew off the edge and sacked Luck to end a drive inside that had gotten inside the 5-yard line. All Luck could do was pound the turf in frustration.

A Wentz, a win with no wince: The scramble that shows Wentz’s back - ESPN
Carson Wentz plays daredevil football, the repaired ligaments in his left knee be damned, and so it was no surprise that he honored his return to pro football Sunday with a schoolyard dive that was worth far more than six second-quarter yards and what would prove to be an irrelevant first down. A franchise quarterback needs great desire to complement his great talent, and there is no question Wentz comes packaged with ample supplies of both. So inside the final minute of the first half, from his own 32-yard line, Wentz spun away from two hard-rushing defenders, veered left and leaned on his speed and athleticism as two-thirds of the Indianapolis Colts’ roster gave chase.

The day after: In first game back, Carson Wentz still looks like Carson Wentz - The Athletic
Afterward in the locker room, Wentz’s teammates said they were not surprised. The organization has been cautious with him, and Sunday’s performance seemed to back up what Wentz hinted at during the week: that he could have played in Week 1. During practices before the Bucs game, Wentz was putting on a show as the scout team quarterback. “There was one play in particular last week before he got cleared where he was on the scout team,” said Jason Kelce. “They run like a naked (bootleg), and he full-blown takes off on a sprint to score on the scout team. It was one of those where it’s like, ‘Ok, this guy’s ready to go.’” That play impressed Nigel Bradham too, but it’s not the one that told him Wentz was ready. Bradham remembered a different play. “He was just dropping back, and then he stepped up in the pocket and he moved to the side twice and then he just ripped the ball, gunned it,” Bradham said. “We were like, ‘OK, he’s ready.’ He gunned it, like a zip, man, and it was crazy. That’s how we knew he was ready. Us on defense, that’s how we knew.”

’Carson Was Carson. He Doesn’t Change’ - PE.com
“It felt good to finally be out there. It’s kind of a long time coming,” said Wentz, who was 25-of-37 for 255 yards with a touchdown, an interception, and a lost fumble. “Obviously, a lot of excitement, a lot of emotions. But coming out the way we did with that hot start going right down the field, going some no-huddle tempo, it felt good. Emotions were running high from the moment I woke up this morning. But for me, it’s always putting on worship music and getting into the zone like that. It just felt like another game at the end of the day.” “Carson was Carson,” center Jason Kelce said. “He doesn’t change. He’s been through this before.”

Rodney McLeod thinks he’s OK after scary-looking injury - NBCSP
Even though he didn’t come back in the game after being listed as questionable to return, McLeod after the game was walking without a limp and said he thinks he’s fine. He’ll have more tests in the morning to make sure. McLeod went down in the third quarter when he was hit by some friendly from Jalen Mills on his right knee. He was able to walk gingerly off the field but appears to be in pain.

Refocused, NFL Week 3: Philadelphia Eagles 20, Indianapolis Colts 16 - PFF
Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz returned just in time to aid his squad in the victory over the Colts. It would be a bit premature to say that he is at 100 percent after his torn ACL, but he did give us several examples that show that he is very close to full health. Late in the second half, Wentz was able to evade pressure from Jabaal Sheard and dive towards the left sideline for a first down. As for his arm, all systems appeared to be a go. He depended upon his talented pair of tight ends, looking their way on 17 throws. Speaking of Philly’s talented tight ends, rookie Dallas Goedert caught all seven of his targets in the game and Wentz hooked up with him on a seam route for his lone touchdown pass on the day. Goedert stocked away footage displaying his improvements as a blocker and should give the Eagles brass confidence going forward.

Week 3: A Sunday of Surprises? Nah, A Vet Says, ‘This Is The Normal’ - FMIA
For the record: When Carson Wentz had knee surgery last December, doctors said his rehab period would be nine to 12 months. When he returned Sunday for his first start since the surgery, it was nine months and 10 days since the procedure.

More Mahomes Magic, a Buffalo Stunner, and QBs Coming and Going—A Week 3 Roller-Coaster - MMQB
That fight was evident, and most obvious, during the game-defining drive that Wentz captained in the fourth quarter. Down 16-13, the Eagles covered 75 yards in 17 plays, getting some help from the officials along they way (one penalty converted a second-and-26, another moved the chains on a fourth-and-5), while making their share of plays. None was bigger—or more vintage Wentz—than a third-and-9 from the Colts 36 with 4:47 left. On the play, the pocket collapsed around Wentz, and Indy safety Clayton Geathers and rookie rusher Kemoko Turay had shots at him. Somehow he shook off both, slipped through, and popped the ball over the outstretched arms of defensive lineman Jihad Ward to Nelson Agholor in the right flat.

Carson Wentz is back and the Eagles won, but they still haven’t hit their stride - Inquirer
Just like they did in Week 1, the Eagles were able to eke out a close game. As Malcolm Jenkins said, “we ended up making one more play than they did.” Jenkins added that in the NFL, one play can often be the difference. You’ve probably heard the cliché that the margin for error is thin in the NFL, but it’s true. Look what happened in Minnesota on Sunday. Look what happened to the Patriots on Sunday night. There’s no Rutgers on the NFL schedule. The Eagles spoiled fans during that November run last season when they dominated opponents. Their Super Bowl season was built on these types of wins, though. That’s how they survived during the first month of the season before they found their groove. The same could happen this season. Carson Wentz is back, and the offensive potential was clear on Sunday. Look how well they moved the ball on the opening drive, and then look at the skill-position players. The Eagles didn’t have Alshon Jeffery, Jay Ajayi or Darren Sproles. Those players are coming back. (Mike Wallace, Mack Hollins and Richard Rodgers were also absent, but it’s less clear if/when two of them will be back.) Credit to Pederson for being creative with the three-receiver sets. Dallas Goedert can give the offense a new threat. But the key piece is Wentz, whose work at the line of scrimmage also helped the running game have a big day. Wentz had a solid debut. He’ll get better with more games and better players around him. There’s a lot of upside for the offense.

Dak Prescott’s brilliant start has begun to sour. Here’s what Cowboys need to do next - SportsDay
Comparisons to Russell Wilson seem terribly misplaced at the moment. The Seahawks’ quarterback lifted his struggling team with an inspired performance, throwing touchdown passes of 16 and 52 yards and coming up with some big plays on third down. The Cowboys’ quarterback failed to throw for 200 yards for the ninth time in the last 11 games. He appears completely and utterly out of synch, unable to sustain drives or produce big plays at key moments.

Bills Embarrass Vikings, 27-6 - Daily Norseman
The loss drops the Vikings to a record of 1-1-1, and they will take on the Los Angeles Rams in Los Angeles, on Thursday night.

The NFL’s roughing the passer rule is changing the game for all the wrong reasons - SB Nation
The NFL implemented a controversial roughing the passer penalty this offseason. Nobody, not even the officials, can really say what does and doesn’t constitute roughing the passer anymore. You can read the rule in its entirety here. The new emphasis this season restricts tacklers from landing on top of a quarterback with his full, or most of his, body weight, something that defies the laws of physics. This week the rule put Clay Matthews and the Packers in the spotlight again, for all the wrong reasons. But the controversy over the rule hasn’t just engulfed the Packers. The fallout is being felt all over the league, from locker rooms to owners suites to broadcast booths and for fans. And don’t worry, if you’re team hasn’t fallen victim to the rule yet, it’s just a matter a time. Three weeks into the season, the rule’s impact is changing the game, and not for positive reasons.

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