Rookie QB Wentz off to historic start
CHICAGO — Carson Wentz followed 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.
Playing in the city where he was drafted by the Eagles with the No. 2 overall pick, he completed 21 of 34 passes and played turnover-free ball in his second straight game despite absorbing several big hits.
“Throughout the week, I just realized I’m going back to kind of where my life changed, so to speak,” Wentz said. “It was cool to be back here, especially to come out here with the win.”
The NFL tweeted that Wentz is the only rookie quarterback since 1970 to win his first two starts without an interception.
Philadelphia head coach Doug Pederson said of Wentz: “He took care of the football and made some nice, tough throws. It wasn’t perfect. But at the same time, he’s seeing things really well. And he’s commanding the huddle and dialog on the sideline with the players and coaches is something that a nine or 10-year vet would do.”
Ryan Mathews ran for two scores, and the Eagles (2-0) scored two touchdowns late in the third quarter to break open a two-point game.
While the Eagles pulled away, Chicago quarterback Jay Cutler went to the locker room with a right thumb injury and did not return.
The Bears (0-2) lost several players and fell again after opening with a loss at Houston. It’s not the start they envisioned in their second year under head coach John Fox after finishing last in the NFC North.
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. Brian Hoyer replaced Cutler and was 9-for-12 for 78 yards.
Before the game, the Eagles’ Malcolm Jenkins and several teammates raised right fists during the national anthem in protest. Cornerback Ron Brooks and defensive end Steven Means joined him. Jenkins had insisted the protest would not be “an antipolice thing” and that police “are a key part of the solution in this issue.”