Eagles open preseason at Lambeau Field

Wentz solid in preseason opener, but Birds fall to Packers

Quarterback Carson Wentz had a perfect preseason debut for the Philadelphia Eagles.

The Green Bay Packers might need to keep working on tackling, though they’re off to a good start in creating turnovers.

Wentz went 4 for 4 for 56 yards and a score on his first series, eluding a potential sack and burning the Packers on third and fourth downs in Philadelphia’s 24-9 loss on Thursday night.

He did his best impression of elusive Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who was a healthy scratch for the first preseason game of the year.

The Eagles got off to a nice start against Green Bay’s firststring defense, though they did turn the ball over three times in the second quarter with backup quarterback Matt McGloin behind center. Philadelphia is looking to improve a pass offense that ranked 24th in the NFL last season.

Free agent addition Alshon Jeffery didn’t play on Thursday. Nelson Agholor, who is having a good camp, didn’t have a catch. But Wentz found rookie Mack Hollins, the team’s fourth-draft pick, for a 38-yard touchdown pass on third-and-13 with 6:33 left in the first quarter after the quarterback eluded rushing linebacker Clay Matthews’ grasp.

Cornerbacks Quinten Rollins and Kevin King each missed tackles as Hollins crossed right-to-left across the field on his way to the end zone. The Packers had problems at the cornerback posi-

tion last season.

Wentz was done after his opening series, while backup Brett Hundley started at quarterback for Green Bay with Rodgers sitting out. Hundley picked up the pace after a sluggish start as the Packers defense started forcing turnovers.

Hundley pump-faked before finding Jeff Janis in stride down the right side of the end zone for a 20-yard touchdown pass for a 14-6 lead with 8:25 left in the second quarter. The Packers capitalized after cornerback LaDarius Gunter forced tight end Trey Burton to fumble at the Eagles 40.

Hundley finished 8 of 15 for 90 yards before sitting out the second half.

“We had a rough start there. I think both teams are obviously struggling handling the ball a little bit tonight — first time out, a little slick,” Packers coach Mike McCarthy said. “We have to take care of the football and we have to take it away.”

Joe Thomas had an interception,

MATT LUDTKE — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz drops back during the first half of a Thursday’s preseason game against the Packers in Green Bay, Wis.

MIKE ROEMER — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS The Packers’ Max McCaffrey catches a pass in front of the Eagles’ Corey Clement during the second half of Thursday’s preseason game in Green Bay, Wis. The Packers won 24-9.