Bengals 32, Eagles 14: Evaluating Carson Wentz

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Sunday was the worst game of Carson Wentz's young career in the Eagles' 32-14 loss to the Bengals (see Instant Replay).

The numbers aren't pretty: 36 of 60 for 308 yards, one touchdown and his first three-interception game. As has been the case recently, Wentz didn't have much help from the play-calling. He also took a beating in the pocket. With that said, Wentz was not sharp and looked every bit a rookie.

Let's take a look at some of the key plays from Wentz's performance.

1st quarter, 14:19, 3rd and 12 at PHI 23 - Eagles 0, Bengals 0
This is the first of at least three passes that could've easily been picked off in the first half. Wentz has been telegraphing his throws recently, but that's not the case here. Dorial Green-Beckham — running a dig on the left side —  appeared to be Wentz's second or third read. When he comes back to DGB, it's way too late and linebacker Vincent Rey is sitting in the zone and drops what should've been a pick. It doesn't appear that Wentz even saw Rey.

1st quarter, 8:24, 3rd and 8 at PHI 38 - Bengals 3, Eagles 0
One of the few positives from Wentz the last couple weeks is his ability to picks his spots to take off and run. On this play, the Bengals show a heavy blitz but retreat on the snap and head down field. Wentz steps up in the pocket, sees the Bengals' linebackers with their backs turned and quickly decides to take off and run for the first down. This kind of play will serve Wentz and the Eagles' offense well going forward.

2nd quarter, 3:31, 3rd and 12 at PHI 46 - Bengals 13, Eagles 0
Wentz had been up and down the whole half, but had delivered on a couple of third-and-longs — the two most notable were to third tight end Trey Burton while Burton was lined up as a slot receiver with routes that Jordan Matthews typically runs. On this play, Wentz has time and he has Green-Beckham wide open on the right sideline. Wentz just flat out misses the throw high. And as I've mentioned in this space every week, if Wentz misses, he typically misses high. This was a big play while the Eagles were still in striking distance and driving into Cincinnati territory. 

Wentz's arm talent is unquestioned. His mechanics will certainly be a focus this offseason. 

3rd quarter, 11:15, 1st and 10 at PHI 22 - Bengals 26, Eagles 0
Undrafted rookie and future Hall of Famer Paul Turner finally got in on the action. The Bengals were really aggressive all day. Finally we see some misdirection on this play. Wentz is excellent in play action. On this play, he fakes left and all the linebackers follow Wendell Smallwood. Wentz rolls to his right and Turner runs a crossing route, finds a soft spot in the zone and turns it up field for a 41-yard gain. They completed virtually the same exact pass two plays later for another first down. 

4th quarter, 13:56, 1st and 10 at CIN 46 - Bengals 29, Eagles 7
This is the exact poor throw Wentz just made last week against Green Bay. Zach Ertz is running down the seam, has a defender in his pocket and another defender over the top. And Wentz sails it high yet again and it's picked off. This is the only throw that really scares me. For the most part, Wentz has learned from his mistakes, but he seems to be good for at least one of these types of interceptions every week. The receiver is double covered and he just forces the football and sails it high. The Eagles' coaches need to break this habit.

Overall analysis
Wentz was bad. There's no other way to put it. It's still important to point out that he's a rookie. Some of the hot takes I've seen are egregious. This kid still has the makings of a franchise quarterback. Again, I imagine mechanics will be a big part of Wentz's offseason program. The receivers weren't great and neither was the play-calling, creating a perfect storm of offensive ineptitude. I give Wentz credit for continuing to fight in the second half when many of his teammates did not appear to be doing so. He was hit 12 times and kept getting back up.

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