Wentz looking for a strong finish

PHILADELPHIA » Carson Wentz is one start from history. Sunday, the rookie can become the first Eagles quarterback to start all 16 games in a season since Donovan McNabb in 2008.

The iron man effort hasn’t gone unnoticed in a division where all four teams are poised to have their opening-day starting quarterbacks survive the season without missing a game.

“There (were) questions about would he be durable, could he start 16 games?” Eagles offensive coordinator Frank Reich said Tuesday. “And just because of a couple of injuries that he’s had. I think he’s done a great job of knowing how to get down.

“And it was a learning process. It’s been a learning process. Early on we all know when he ran a couple times and he was probably a little bit too aggressive. (He) took to coaching, learned from it and gradually has gotten to the point where he looks like a seasoned pro out there running now. He knows when to slide, has a good sense for getting down.”

Wentz has one more opportunity to display his survival skills when the Eagles (6-9) entertain the Dallas Cowboys this Sunday.

With 14 touchdown passes and 14 interceptions, Wentz gets the nod against fellow rookie Dak Prescott, who the Cowboys (13-2) say will start despite Dallas having already clinched the top seed in the NFC.

Prescott would be the first Cowboys passer to start all 16 games since Tony Romo in 2012.

Wentz has played all but 13 of a possible 1,064 plays at quarterback for the Eagles, who will miss the playoffs for the fifth time in six years.

No NFC East quarterback has been sacked as much as Wentz, the North Dakota State product and No. 2 overall pick in the 2016 draft absorbing 31 for 200 yards this season. Wentz has thrown 564 passes, seven fewer than the identical season totals of Eli Manning and Kirk Cousins.

The only occasion in which Wentz missed a significant portion of a game was in the win over the New York Giants last Thursday. Wentz had trouble gaining his feet after a late hit bounced his head off the turf. He returned after going through the NFL’s concussion protocol.

“I think it says a lot about his toughness,” Reich said. “I think it says a lot about his preparation in the protection area. I think it says a lot about how well the offensive line has played. And I think it says a lot about that he has a good internal clock, that he’s not just a guy, a big, strong, athletic guy who’s going to be back there and makes plays with his legs all the time.”

Prescott has thrown 23 touchdowns and just four interceptions. He’s taken 25 sacks for 143 yards despite playing behind that vaunted offensive line composed of three Pro Bowl talents. He’s also attempted fewer passes than Wentz with 451.

Prescott has rushed for six touchdowns, amassing 55 carries for 273 yards (4.8 average). Teammate Ezekiel Elliott has a league-leading 1,613 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns.

Wentz has 45 rushes for 137 yards (9.1 average) and two TDs.

Though Wentz has thrown 113 more passes than Prescott, the Cowboys’ quarterback has thrown for 3,630 yards, 93 more than his Eagles counterpart.

Part of that is by design as the Eagles groomed Wentz to be a pocket passer.

“He knows that to be great in this league and to take us where you want to go you’ve got to learn how to play quarterback from the pocket and then let your natural athletic ability take over when something breaks down,” Reich explained. “And I think we’ve worked very hard at trying to develop that into him, and not let him just get back there and let his athleticism take over.

“Be systematic. Be disciplined. Have a progression in mind. Know what you’re going. Have a plan on every play. And then when things break down, then react and let your instincts take over.”

The Cowboys have a firstround bye and home-field advantage throughout the postseason. The Super Bowl is in Houston, a four-hour drive away.

In essence, they have little to play for this weekend other than to work up a sweat. With the anticipated reduction in Prescott’s snaps to keep him healthy for the playoffs, the Cowboys are four-point underdogs.

The Eagles, on the other hand, are riding Wentz to the end. Deep down inside, they think a two-game win streak to close the season will provide momentum going into an otherwise long offseason.

Keeping the quarterback healthy would be part of the offseason spin for the coaches.

“There’s no guarantee about staying healthy in this league,” Reich said. “But we’re certainly glad he’s done a good job with that this year.”

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS — MATT ROURKE Carson Wentz could become the first Eagles quarterback since 2008 to start all 16 games in a season when the Cowboys visit Sunday. That consistency alone is a valuable building block in Wentz’s rookie campaign, says his offensive coordinator.