Wentz leads Eagles to critical victory
Carson Wentz ran around and extended plays the way he did before his knee injury.
Wentz tossed two touchdown passes, Darren Sproles ran for a score and the Eagles stayed in the hunt for the NFC East title with a 28-13 victory over the depleted Redskins on Monday night in Philadelphia.
The Eagles (6-6) won consecutive games for the first time since Nick Foles led them to a Super Bowl victory over the Patriots in February.
The Redskins (6-6) lost backup quarterback Colt McCoy to a leg injury in his second game replacing Alex Smith, who broke his right tibia and fibula Nov. 18. Mark Sanchez took his place.
Adrian Peterson ran 90 yards for a touchdown on Sanchez’s first play under center, giving the Redskins a 10-7 lead. It was the longest run the Eagles have allowed in franchise history, but the Redskins’ lead didn’t last long.
The next coach of the Packers will be hired by team president Mark Murphy, who also made the decision to fire Mike McCarthy after Sunday’s stunning 20-17 loss to the lowly Cardinals at Lambeau Field.
General manager Brian Gutekunst will be heavily involved, along with a committee, though Murphy will make the decision.
“We have history and tradition. The resources we have available for coaches — it’s an attractive job,” Murphy said.
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers is free to provide input, though Murphy said that the two-time league MVP will not be part of the process. Rodgers also wasn’t part of the decision to fire McCarthy.
Offensive coordinator Joe Philbin is the interim coach. Murphy said that he sees Philbin as a candidate, and would like to evaluate the veteran assistant and former Dolphins head coach the next four weeks.
“I think this decision was about changing our course more than anything,” Gutekunst said.
Panthers coach Ron Rivera will take over defensive play calls from coordinator Eric Washington following the team’s four-game skid.
The Panthers also fired defensive line coach Brady Hoke and assistant secondary/cornerbacks coach Jeff Imamura. The moves were announced after Rivera met with new owner David Tepper and GM Marty Hurney.
Washington will remain defensive coordinator but will oversee the front seven.
Sam Mills III will lead the defensive line and Rivera will work with Richard Rodgers in the secondary.
In the wake of RB Kareem Hunt’s release, the Chiefs re-signed RB Charcandrick West to serve as backup to Spencer Ware. West played the last three seasons with the Chiefs. Hunt went unclaimed on waivers and now is a free agent . ... The Chargers released T Joe Barksdale a day after he was a late scratch from the team’s 33-30 victory over the Steelers due to personal reasons. Barksdale, who revealed earlier this year he’s been dealing with depression, thanked the Chargers for their support.