Maybe last week wasn’t a fluke. Maybe it wasn’t just because they played the Browns.
Maybe they have something here.
In his second professional game, Carson Wentz, the rookie from North Dakota State, led the Eagles to a 29-14 win over the Bears on Monday Night Football. Wentz didn’t put up the same numbers as last week, but still got the job done.
On the other side, the defense was outstanding, giving up just one touchdown. The other came on a punt return in the fourth quarter.
After giving up just 10 points in Week 1, the Eagles have given up 14 or fewer points in consecutive games for the first time since 2012.
While the Eagles struggled to get into the end zone early, their defense held the Bears in check and Wentz and the offense did enough to leave Chicago with a win and a perfect 2-0 record. They’re tied with the Giants at 2-0 atop the NFC East.
Meanwhile, Doug Pederson became the first Eagles head coach in the modern era to win his first two games at the helm.
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After taking a two-point lead into the second half, the Eagles scored late in the third on a tremendous run from Ryan Mathews to put them up by two scores. That capped off an eight-play, 68-yard drive.
On the ensuing drive, Nigel Bradham picked off a Jay Cutler pass and returned it all the way to the 2-yard line. On the next play, Wentz threw a quick pass to Trey Burton, who got into the end zone.
The game was close in the first half, but it became a blowout in the middle of the second half.
First half
Caleb Sturgis drilled a 53-yarder near the end of the second quarter to give the Eagles a 9-7 lead at halftime, tying his second-longest career field goal. He hit a 54-yarder in 2013.
Shortly before the field goal, Wentz threw an unbelievable pass to Jordan Matthews that would have been a 35-yard touchdown, but Matthews just dropped it. It was a four-point drop.
Wentz was very impressive in the first quarter, completing 15 of 24 passes for 141 yards. The Eagles were unbalanced in the first half, throwing on 24 of 35 plays.
The Eagles started off the scoring after the Bears went three-and-out on the opening drive. Wentz led the team on a 13-play, 47-yard drive that lasted 7:26, but resulted in just three points. Wentz had a chance to hit Brent Celek in the end zone, but Bears DB Bryce Callahan had a nice pass breakup.
The Bears got a touchdown early in the second quarter. The big play of that drive was a 49-yard pass from Cutler to Alshon Jeffery. Jalen Mills was in coverage and couldn’t stay with the big receiver.
That gave the Bears a 7-6 lead, but the Eagles kicked two field goals to take back the advantage heading into half.
Turning point
At the end of the third quarter, the Eagles scored their first offensive touchdown and then on the ensuing drive, Bradham had a big interception. That really flipped the game and ended it.
Key stat
Wentz has now thrown 71 passes in his first two NFL games without an interception.
Offensive stud
Wentz was impressive again in his second NFL game. Aside from the numbers — 21 of 34 for 190 yards and a touchdown — he showed poise, the ability to move in the pocket, and made some really tough throws in the face of pressure.
Burton, who came into the game with three career catches, had five catches for 49 yards and his first-career touchdown.
Offensive dud
The offensive line didn’t have its best showing, specifically center Jason Kelce. Kelce was once a Pro Bowl player, but he doesn’t look like it anymore. Also, the receivers had a few drops, which continues to be a problem for the Eagles.
Defensive stud
Brandon Graham had a sack and was disruptive throughout Monday’s game. He’s had a very good start to his 2016 season.
Bradham had what was really a game-sealing interception in the third quarter. He dropped in coverage and caught a Cutler pass that was thrown right to him. He returned it to the 2-yard line and the Eagles scored on the next play.
Defensive dud
We’ll hand this to the cornerbacks, although the defense played really well as a unit. The Eagles just don’t have a ton of talent here. Coming into the year, Nolan Carroll was considered by most to be their best corner, but he hasn’t looked like it in the first two games. Give them some credit, though, after a quick start, Jeffery was held in check for the rest of the game.
Injuries
Zach Ertz (ribs) and Leodis McKelvin (hamstring) were both ruled out on Saturday and missed Monday’s game. Pederson called them “week to week.”
The Bears were decimated by injuries in this game, losing several starters (including Cutler) throughout.
Up next
The Eagles return home with a short week to prepare for one of the NFL’s better teams in the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Eagles shut out the Steelers in the second game of the preseason, but that doesn’t really mean anything. The Steelers game leads into an early bye week in Week 4 of the season.
