Ravens 27, Eagles 26: Evaluating Carson Wentz

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Carson Wentz struggled early but nearly brought the Eagles back in a 27-26 loss to the Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium Sunday.

The numbers don't look pretty: 22 of 42 for 170 yards with no touchdowns and an interception. It took hurricane-like conditions, but Doug Pederson finally found balance in his offense. Much of the credit has to go to the Eagles' makeshift offensive line and Ryan Mathews. Wentz had 42 attempts but the Eagles called 34 run plays and controlled the clock, holding a 36:38 to 23:22 advantage in time of possession.

Here are some of the key plays from Wentz on the day:

1st quarter, 13:38, 3rd-and-8, PHI 27 - Eagles 0, Ravens 0
There wasn't much to evaluate from the first half. This was a poor decision and an even worse throw by Wentz. The Eagles were stuffed on two rushing attempts on the first two plays of the game. On third down, the Ravens show a heavy blitz and wound up sending five. The pressure gets to Wentz almost immediately. Instead of just eating the ball and taking the sack, Wentz makes an ill-advised throw off his back foot down the seam to Trey Burton. It's easily picked off by the Ravens and sets up a short field for Baltimore's offense.

Throughout the first half, Wentz was too loose with the football. He needs to learn when he can use his athleticism to make a play and when a play is just dead.

3rd quarter, 8:05, 4th-and-3, BAL 39 - Ravens 20, Eagles 14
The decision to go for it on fourth down makes sense here. Trey Burton runs a slant and Wentz delivers the ball quickly and accurately. Burton short arms it, looking to avoid a big hit from linebacker C.J. Mosley. It was definitely a bit of a hospital ball from Wentz, but Burton is a tight end running a slant on fourth down. You have to expect to get crushed on this play. It's a disappointing play from Burton who has emerged as a decent target for Wentz.

3rd quarter, 3:58, 1st-and-10, PHI 41 - Ravens 20, Eagles 14
This play is set up by two big runs from rookie Byron Marshall. I've lauded Wentz for his ability to carry out play fakes all season. On this play, they fake to Marshall to the right. Ertz, lined up at a traditional tight end spot on the left, runs an out and finds a soft spot in the defense. Wentz throws it behind Ertz but the placement takes Ertz away from the defender on the sideline.

4th quarter, :04, 2nd-and-goal, BAL 4 - Ravens 27, Eagles 20
This is just guts and athleticism from Wentz. He gets pressure up the middle and spins out of it. He rolls to his left to meet veteran safety Eric Weddle. The Ravens are mostly in man but Weddle is playing zone around the goal line. Wentz looks like he might just try to run over him but instead makes a great juke and dives into the end zone. This is the kind of play you love from your rookie quarterback with the game on the line.

Overall analysis
Pederson actually treated Wentz like a rookie quarterback, protecting him by establishing the run game and calling short passes. It's a little troubling that it took Wentz's terrible start and inclement weather for Pederson to establish balance in the offense. The Ravens' came into the game tops in the league against the run and the Eagles' offensive line dominated the battle in the trenches. It really makes you wonder why Pederson didn't go to the run more in recent weeks.

The final drive wasn't pretty, but it was a gutsy effort by Wentz and the offense that came up just short. These are the types of games that will only help Wentz in his development.

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