Carson Wentz had his moments but couldn't match Aaron Rodgers in the Eagles' 27-13 loss to the Packers on Monday night at the Linc (see Instant Replay).
Wentz finished 24 of 36 for 254 yards with no touchdowns and an interception. The receivers were an issue yet again, as Nelson Agholor was a healthy scratch and Jordan Matthews was forced to leave the game with an ankle injury. A lack of balance in play-calling continues to be an issue as well.
Let's take a look at some of the more important plays in the game for Wentz:
First quarter, 6:27, 1st-and-10 at GB 43 - Packers 7, Eagles 0
This looked like the game where Dorial Green-Beckham may establish himself as a legitimate weapon for Wentz. On this play, he's lined up to the left bunched with Bryce Treggs. Treggs runs a go route which take the defenders away from DGB running a dig route. Wentz's timing is perfect along with his ball placement. He really looked like he was in a rhythm early.
First quarter, 5:06, 2nd-and-4 at GB 13 - Packers 7, Eagles 0
Two plays later, Wentz throws a bullet to Green-Beckham on a slant, setting the Eagles up 1st-and-goal. Green-Beckham uses his body to shield off an incoming defender and again Wentz's ball placement is on point. Wentz was 6 for 6 for 70 yards on the opening drive. Four of those were to DGB, who hauled in all four passes for 53 yards. The issue here is that other than a 24-yard catch in garbage time, Green-Beckham was mostly invisible for the rest of the game.
Second quarter, 1:48, 3rd-and-6 at PHI 26 - Packers 14, Eagles 7
Wentz seemed to have a little extra bounce in his step, using his legs more than he has in any other game in his young career. This play was one of the more impressive scrambles. Clay Matthews beats Jason Peters off the edge, flushing Wentz to his right. Wentz feels the pressure while keeping his eyes down the field. He then puts a great move on Damarious Randall and wisely gets out of bounds after a 17-yard gain. Wentz finished the game with four carries for 33 yards and his first career rushing touchdown.
Third quarter, 11:28, 2nd-and-10 at GB 45 - Packers 14, Eagles 10
Wentz didn't make many mistakes on the night, but this one was ugly and costly. The Eagles were driving into Packers' territory. Wentz had just taken a nasty hit from Datone Jones and Zach Ertz may or may not have been interfered with on the play. Wentz decided to go right back to Ertz on this play and I'm not sure which was worse: the decision or the actual throw. As I've pointed out many times in this space, if Wentz misses, he misses high and that's exactly what happened here. It also doesn't like Ertz is open at all with a defender in his back pocket. It makes for an easy momentum-changing pick for Ha Ha Clinton-Dix.
NFL
Overall analysis
There's just too much being asked of Wentz right now. With a patchwork offensive line and receiving corps, Doug Pederson had Wentz attempt 36 passes and called only 14 running plays. Wentz looked really sharp on the first drive and showed glimpses of what he can do with his legs. The problem is, there's just too much on his shoulders as a 23-year-old rookie making his 11th NFL start. The offensive line needs to get healthy and the receiver position needs to be addressed heavily in the offseason.