Sunday's 27-13 win over the Cowboys at the Linc was a microcosm of Carson Wentz's rookie season (see Instant Replay).
He started off hot, was erratic in the middle, but finished strong, giving his team a chance to win. Much like the whole season, the play calling was suspect and the wide receivers struggled mightily to get open. He finished the game 27 of 43 for 245 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions.
He broke Sam Bradford's record for completions by a rookie quarterback. He broke Donovan McNabb's franchise record for most passing attempts in a season. He also started and finished all 16 games, the first Eagles quarterback to accomplish that feat since McNabb in 2003.
Here's a look at a few of Wentz's bigger plays from the last game of his rookie season.
1st quarter, 8:24, 3rd-and-4, DAL 40 - Eagles 0, Cowboys 0
The first drive was as accurate and confident as I've seen Wentz all season. On this play, the Cowboys send only three for some insane reason. Zach Ertz is lined up wide right, motions to the inside and runs a 15-yard square in. Wentz looks right, goes through his progressions and finds Ertz to the left for a 14-yard gain. The ball is thrown low with plenty of velocity and away from the defenders. Unfortunately, the Eagles settle for a field goal after driving right down the field and sustaining a long drive.
2nd quarter, 13:21, 3rd-and-9, PHI 37 - Eagles 3, Cowboys 3
As good as Wentz was on the first drive, he was equally as shaky for most of the second quarter. On this play, he does an excellent job escaping the rush, something he's really excelled at lately. He rolls to his left, well out of the pocket, and instead of just throwing the ball away, he lofts a ball down the middle of the field. Luckily for Wentz the ball hits the ground harmlessly, but these are the kind of decisions Wentz has to stop making. The positives are that he's shown crazy escapability in the pocket and that he keeps his eyes down the field looking to make a play. The huge negative is that he never believes a play is dead which often leads to poor decisions.
2nd quarter, :07, 2nd-and-goal, DAL 6 - Cowboys 10, Eagles 3
This was a redeeming drive. Doug Pederson helped Wentz out by calling a lot of quick-hitting plays. Wentz and Ertz really seem to be establishing chemistry over these last few weeks. Ertz is lined up in the slot to the left. He beats Byron Jones badly on a slant. Wentz holds the safety and linebackers by looking right. The ball placement is excellent, low and in a spot where only Ertz can get to it. Wentz has been great in the two-minute offense. That's a special ability for a rookie quarterback and surely something to build on.
NFL
3rd quarter, 5:20, 2nd-and-4, DAL 20 - Cowboys 13, Eagles 10
After Pederson told FOX's Pam Oliver that the Eagles "needed to establish the run" at the half, he proceeded to throw the ball on every single play during the second drive of the second half. They go empty set here with Ertz lined up tight to the left. A defensive back is lined up against him at the line of scrimmage, but the DB blitzes off the edge. That leaves Ertz 1-on-1 against a linebacker. He runs a corner route and Wentz lofts a pretty ball to the corner of the end zone. Ertz was huge in this game, finishing with 13 catches for 139 yards and two touchdowns. And in a moment that will endear Wentz to Eagles fans, he runs the touchdown ball over to Los Angeles Angels superstar and Millville, New Jersey, native, Mike Trout in the first row (see story).
Overall analysis
Wentz finished his rookie season with a win and with more touchdowns than interceptions (16 touchdowns, 14 picks). No, the Eagles didn't make the playoffs, and as a team, it's a disappointing season. But you have to be encouraged by Wentz. I've mentioned the atrocity of the receivers every week in this space. Add to that the makeshift offensive line combinations and some questionable play-calling by the head coach, and the kid had a strong rookie season. He no doubt has things to work on. The biggest being his throwing mechanics and his decision-making when outside the pocket and on throws down the middle of the field.
A franchise quarterback is a difficult commodity to obtain. The Eagles may have one. Now Howie Roseman has serious work to do to ensure that Wentz has weapons around him in 2017.