Benching Carson Wentz would send wrong message
The questions began instantly after one other two-interception efficiency from Carson Wentz, when he was sacked 4 occasions, together with as soon as ultimately zone for a security.
Did Pederson think about benching Wentz? And will he be the beginning quarterback when the Eagles play subsequent, on Nov. 30 towards the Seattle Seahawks?
For the document, Pederson stated he did not think about benching Wentz, who went 21 of 35 for 235 yards with 2 touchdowns and a couple of interceptions within the Eagles’ 22-17 loss to the Cleveland Browns on Sunday.
Pederson additionally stated that Wentz will begin towards the Seahawks.
“He’s the starter,” Pederson stated. “No questions about it, he’s the starter.”
Rather, Pederson had this to say when requested what sort of message a attainable benching would serve:
“You’re sending the wrong message to your football team that the season is over,” Pederson stated. “That’s a bad message. We have to work through this.”
Of course, that is not essentially an endorsement for rookie backup Jalen Hurts, the Eagles’ second-round decide.
But it additionally exhibits the precariousness of the Eagles’ scenario. They’re 3-6-1, however nonetheless in first place within the NFC East. That’s why he did not think about benching Wentz.
“With the way the game was going, and the elements, and we were just really a score from putting ourselves back into this football game,” Pederson stated.
That additionally exhibits how few choices Pederson has.
The offensive line, which began its ninth totally different mixture in 10 video games, noticed proper sort out Lane Johnson go away within the second half with a shoulder harm, middle Jason Kelce go away within the first half with an elbow harm (he returned, however with a heavy brace on his elbow that required a teammate to assist him buckle his chin strap), and Jason Peters go away with an undisclosed harm.
But Wentz’s play continues to confound the Eagles.
He has thrown 14 interceptions this season, essentially the most within the NFL. He tied his profession excessive for a season, set as a rookie in 2016. That was after a full 16 sport season. The Eagles nonetheless have six video games left.
Wentz has additionally been sacked an NFL-high 39 occasions.
“The media, you guys can ask whatever questions you want,” Wentz stated. “I know that’s part of the deal. It’s always a scrutinized position playing quarterback, and that’s what I signed up for … I can take it, I can wear it.
“Are we taking part in nearly as good as we are able to as a workforce? No. Am I taking part in my finest soccer? No. There are some circumstances on the market in the present day that we left some performs on the sector … For me, I’m simply going to place my head down and go to work.”
As has been typically the case, Wentz wasn’t the only one misfiring. The Eagles wanted to establish the run, and they did – at least in the first half.
But Miles Sanders’ fumble at the Browns’ 4-yard line ended the first drive after the Eagles ran on 9 of the 10 plays.
“I gotta be higher. No excuses,” Sanders said. “Just gotta be higher.
The Eagles bought a break when the Browns drove 94 1/2 yards, however Kareem Hunt was stopped on 4th-and-goal from the 1, with the assistance of a replay evaluation. But the Eagles could not take benefit, and Wentz’s first interception, as his arm was hit whereas apparently making an attempt for Sanders, was returned 50 yards for a landing by Sione Takitaki early within the second quarter.
Still, the operating assault was working. The Eagles had 96 yards dashing within the first half and Wentz was 8 of 10 passing.
Until it wasn’t.
The Eagles went 2-for-12 on third down after going 0-for-9 the earlier week towards the Giants.
Sanders had 63 yards dashing on 11 carries within the first half, and simply 3 yards on 5 carries within the second.
And a protection that held Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt to a mixed 17 yards dashing within the first half, noticed Chubb find yourself with 114 yards.
The Browns got here into the sport fourth within the NFL in dashing, averaging 159 yards dashing per sport. They completed with 137.
The Eagles tied the sport early within the third quarter after Fletcher Cox’s strip sack on Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield gave the Eagles the ball on the Browns’ 19. On the primary play, Wentz hit Richard Rodgers for a landing.
But the momentum was short-lived. The Browns answered with a discipline objective whereas the Eagles offense sputtered.
Then after the Eagles began a drive at their 2, Wentz tried throwing out of the top zone on third down. That’s when Olivier Vernon blew previous Peters and sacked Wentz for a security and a 12-7 Browns lead.
It was Vernon’s third sack of the sport, all towards Peters.
Still, Pederson stated Wentz ought to have gotten rid of the ball. Wentz stated he isn’t hesitating.
“I’m trying to be smart and all that,” Wentz stated. “But as far as hesitation, when I see a guy open, I’m cutting it loose … Ideally, I get the ball out there quicker (on the safety). It’s unfortunate to be in the end zone and taking that sack, but hat’s off to them, they made a good play.”
The Eagles crept nearer with a discipline objective early within the fourth quarter, however the Browns’ operating sport, held in examine within the first half, bought going. Chubb ran 54 yards to the Eagles’ 7 earlier than Hunt completed off the drive with a 5-yard TD run with 9:13 left.
The Eagles, trailing by 12, had one final gasp, driving all the way down to the Browns’ 7 with 2 minutes left.
Wentz tried throwing the ball to Alshon Jeffery close to the top zone. Jeffery mistimed his leap on the excessive go and Denzel Ward picked it off.
“We are where we are because of the mistakes that we’ve been making,” Pederson stated. “Coaches and players. That’s everybody included. But this will be a great test for our football team.
“This can be a fantastic signal to see actually who’s in and who’s out.”
If Pederson is asking that query, the reply cannot be a superb one.
