Carson Wentz was impressive in the Eagles' 29-23 overtime loss to the Cowboys on Sunday night (see Instant Replay).
He finished the game 32 of 43 for 202 yards with a touchdown and no interceptions. A theme that's really getting old at this point is the Eagles' lack of playmakers on the outside. That problem reared its ugly head again in this one (see Roob's 10 observations from the loss).
Let's take a look at some of the standout plays from Wentz's performance:
1st quarter, 4:03, 2nd and 12 at PHI 23, Cowboys 7, Eagles 3
This was one of the few mistakes Wentz made. Josh Huff was sent in motion and it appeared to be a screen setup to Huff. But Wentz actually faked the screen to his left to Huff and came back to throw a screen to the right to Darren Sproles. Sproles appeared to have room and a blocker, but Wentz threw it at his feet. Wentz has made some spectacular throws but has struggled with routine ones from time to time.
2nd quarter, 13:25, 3rd and 9 at PHI 26, Cowboys 10, Eagles 3
Wentz has been the most accurate quarterback in the league against the blitz. He continued to show off that ability on this play. The Cowboys sent six rushers. The offensive line did an excellent job picking up the blitz and Wentz whipped it to Dorial Green-Beckham for a 10-yard gain. Again, it appears Doug Pederson is making more of an effort to get Green-Beckham involved and Wentz is looking more in the enormous receiver's direction.
2nd quarter, 6:42, 1st and 10 at DAL 27, Cowboys 10, Eagles 3
An Eagles receiver dropped a pass. I'll give you minute to let the shock wear off. Good? OK. Jordan Matthews runs a great out route and Wentz squeezes it into a tight window along the left sideline. It hits Matthews in both hands and falls incomplete. The Eagles were plagued by drops all night. Matthews wasn't the only culprit. Nelson Agholor and Green-Beckham also had key drops.
3rd quarter, 10:30, 1st and 10 at DAL 5, Eagles 13, Cowboys 10
This isn't about one play in particular as it is about the entire drive. After a short run by Sproles on first down, the Eagles went no huddle. Wentz's knowledge of the offense and ability to read defenses gives Pederson the opportunity to make this move. Wentz was decisive and quick. On 3rd and 4 from the Dallas 5-yard line, the Cowboys' defense had trouble getting set. Wentz saw it, called for the snap quickly and zipped the ball to Matthews who found a soft spot in the Dallas zone for a touchdown.
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4th quarter, 15:00, 1st and 5 at DAL 29, Eagles 20, Cowboys 13
This was probably Wentz's most impressive throw. He looks to his left to Sproles in the flat and then goes through his progression, firing a bullet to his right to Matthews. This was another ball in a tight window that Wentz places perfectly and with plenty of velocity.
4th quarter, 14:28, 2nd and 10 at DAL 16, Eagles 20, Cowboys 13
Two plays later, Wentz makes a similar play, looking to his left and coming back to his right to DGB running a post. This is a ball that's thrown a little low but with plenty of zip and in a spot only Green-Beckham can catch it. It wasn't the easiest catch for DGB, but it's one he has to make if he wants to be an impact receiver in this league. It would've given the Eagles 1st and goal from the 2-yard line.
Overall analysis
There aren't any other plays to dissect because, quite frankly, Pederson got ultra conservative with a 10-point lead. Wentz was accurate and made great decisions all night, but Pederson called plays not to lose instead of calling plays to win. This also goes back to the recurring theme of this offense: There are no threats on the outside to put fear in opposing defenses. This was another strong performance by Wentz, but his head coach and receivers didn't help him this week.
