Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Wentz leads way again as Birds roll in Chicago
Rookie QB comes through again, this time away from home
CHICAGO » Carson Wentz followed up an impressive NFL debut with another solid performance, throwing for 190 yards and a touchdown, and the Philadelphia Eagles beat the Chicago Bears 29-14 on Monday night.
Wentz showed plenty of poise, just as he did in his debut against Cleveland. The No. 2 overall draft pick completed 21 of 34 passes without an interception despite absorbing several big hits.
Ryan Mathews ran for two scores, and the Eagles (2-0) scored a pair of touchdowns late in the third quarter to break open a two-point game.
While Philadelphia was pulling away, Chicago quarterback Jay Cutler walked to the locker room with a right hand injury and did not return.
That was the biggest blow for the Bears (0-2), who lost several players and fell again after opening with a loss at Houston. It’s not the sort of start they envisioned in their second year under coach John Fox after finishing last in the NFC North. But they continued to struggle at home, where they were 1-7 a year ago.
Cutler, who completed 12 of 17 passes for 157 yards, walked to the locker room following an interception by Nigel Bradham late in the third quarter. Cutler was seen having his right hand examined on the sideline early in the third following a strip-sack by Destiny Vaeao.
Brian Hoyer took over for Cutler and was 9 of 12 for 78 yards.
PULLING AWAY
The Eagles were leading 9-7 late in the third when Mathews bounced off the line and spun outside before lunging in for a 3-yard touchdown.
With Cutler throwing off his back foot on the next play from scrimmage Bradham intercepted a pass apparently intended for Alshon Jeffery, who was about 10 yards behind him, at the 30 and returned it to the 2.
Wentz then hit Trey Burton with a touchdown pass to make it 22-7 with four seconds left.
NEAT PASS
Cutler set up the game’s first touchdown when he spun to his left and unloaded a 49-yard heave to Jeffery that put the ball on the 5 in the opening minute of the second quarter. Langford ran it in from the 1, giving Chicago a 7-3 lead.
ANTHEM PROTEST
Eagles safety Malcolm Jenkins and several teammates raised their right fists during the national anthem in a protest prior to their game. Jenkins said Saturday he would lead teammates in a demonstration against social injustice. Cornerback Ron Brooks and defensive end Steven Means joined him. It was not clear if another Eagles player joined in. Jenkins had insisted the protest would not be “an anti-police thing” and that police “are a key part of the solution in this issue.”
INJURIES
Eagles: Safety Jaylen Watkins suffered a bruised knee.
Bears: Linebacker Lamarr Houston left the game after injuring his left knee trying to rush the passer in the second quarter. He was tended to on the field by team medical personnel before walking gingerly toward the sideline . ... Nose tackle Eddie Goldman was taken from the field on a cart with an ankle injury early in the fourth quarter after he was at the bottom of the pile on a running play . ... Safety Adrian Amos and cornerback Bryce Callahan exited with concussions in the third quarter . ... Running back Ka’Deem Carey hurt his hamstring.