THE PHILADELPHIA EAGLES are only two games into the Carson Wentz era, but the rookie has now led his team to a pair of wins after an easy 29-14 victory over the Chicago Bears on Monday.
Wentz followed up his sharp performance in the 29-10 season-opening rout of the Cleveland Browns by going 21 of 34 through the air for 190 yards and a touchdown at Soldier Field.
It is still very early in his career, but history is on the side of Wentz, who the Eagles drafted out of North Dakota State with the second pick in this year’s NFL Draft.
All of the four previous FCS quarterbacks selected in the first round — Doug Williams, Phil Simms, Steve McNair and Joe Flacco — went to the Super Bowl.
Two of them were selected to at least one Pro Bowl with the exceptions being Williams and Flacco, both of whom were named Super Bowl MVP following championship victories.
While Wentz was superb Monday night, Bears quarterback Jay Cutler was responsible for two of the three Chicago turnovers.
Cutler was 12 of 17 for 157 yards with an interception and a fumble.
He was pulled from the game after his interception and taken to the locker room with what the Bears said was an injury to his throwing hand. He returned to the sideline in a cast and did not play the rest of the game.
Chicago also lost defensive tackle Eddie Goldman, who was carted off the field with an ankle problem, and running back Ka’Deem Carey with a hamstring issue.
Cutler not sharp
After fumbling on Chicago’s first possession of the second half, Cutler badly threw behind Alshon Jeffery and was intercepted by Nigel Bradham, who returned the pick to the Bears two-yard line.
Wentz tossed a screen pass to Trey Burton on the next play to give the Eagles a 22-7 lead with 32 seconds remaining in the third quarter.
Wentz, who also rushed for 16 yards, got the Eagles going from the start with what was a near-perfect drive. Eagles coach Doug Pederson has called the ideal plays to establish confidence in the young quarterback early on.
Wentz was not fazed by his first NFL start at home and did not show any nerves in his maiden road start.
He is the first rookie quarterback in NFL history to start and win the opening two games of the season without a turnover.
“Something I pride myself on is protecting the football,” Wentz said of being turnover-free in a post-game interview with ESPN.
It was a lot of fun out here on Monday Night Football to come out here with these guys and get a win.
“I got my confidence going early and it was a great team win.”
The night belonged to Wentz, who has shown remarkable poise for a rookie. Though he may not have yet faced one of the NFL’s elite teams, he has emerged as an early favourite for the Offensive Rookie of the Year.
Wentz has made an excellent start, but will time will tell if he will experience the success enjoyed by his FCS predecessors.
