In any team sport, commentators will sometimes mention a player is carrying their team— someone who can elevate the talent of his or her supporting cast and bring out the best in them. Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson, and countless others are regarded as such. Whenever these players take the field, they’re able to make plays and lift everyone else above their standards. Carson Wentz belongs in this group.
Week in and week out, Wentz looks like he’s constantly carrying the team to a certain degree. Don’t get me wrong — this Eagles team is full of talent in Zach Ertz, Alshon Jeffery, promising rookie Dallas Goedert, so on and so forth. However, these guys are making things happen because of Wentz.
His natural athletic ability paired with his large frame and build makes him the single most valuable weapon the Eagles have, and this was on display for the world to watch against the Jacksonville Jaguars. While I mentioned earlier this weekend that Wentz is seeming to struggle getting back up to game speed, it is worth noting that he has been pretty excellent this season.
Against the Jaguars, Wentz had a pass defended at the line a scrimmage, and the ball bounced back to the young Quarterback, who was able to catch the pass, find a gap in the offensive and defensive line mashup, and pick up the first down. Later on the very same drive, the Eagles were facing 3rd and 14. Wentz took the snap and had plenty of time to make a throw, but he decided to step up as the pocket collapsed. While being wrestled to the ground, Wentz threw a laser to Jordan Matthews 20 yards down field with decent coverage on him. Aside from his two beautiful back corner touchdowns this year to Ertz, that was his most impressive throw so far.
On 3rd and 11, with just 40 seconds left before halftime, Wentz escaped the pocket up the middle, avoiding the outside rush, and ran for a tough first down. The very next play, he rolled out to his right and hit Dallas Goedert deep who ran it in for the Eagles first touchdown.
For the rest of the game, most of his throws were perfectly on target, including a big gain down the middle to Matthews, you know, the guy who wasn’t even a roster to start this season.
Wentz will continue to get better, and the Eagles record should follow suit. The more the offense is able to stay on the field, the less pressure is put on the defense, so let’s hope Wentz and company can begin tearing up opposing secondaries. At the very least, let's hope Howie Roseman can land another Wide Receiver or Runningback that Wentz can use to his liking.
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