Eagles’ QB Wentz tested by Falcons
Wentz can’t finish rally as Jones’ TD lifts Falcons
Carson Wentz appeared to be injured.
Again.
But he turned out to be OK, even though the Eagles couldn’t pull out a victory and fell, 24-20, to the Atlanta Falcons.
Wentz left Sunday’s game briefly during the second quarter to be checked for a concussion.
NBC’s Michele Tafoya said Wentz came out of the tent looking “exasperated” and “frustrated” because he wasn’t in the game. Tafoya said Wentz told coach Doug Pederson “I’m good” and ran in the game to replace Josh McCown, who looked good in his brief Eagles debut, completing 3 of 5 passes for 24 yards.
Wentz was only one of several Eagles to leave the game before halftime.
The Eagles’ unit that finished the first half didn’t look anything like the one that started it. One by one, bodies kept going down and out. Wide receivers DeSean Jackson (groin), Alshon Jeffery (calf) and Nelson Agholor (possible concussion) went out of the game before intermission. So did tight end Dallas Goedert (calf ).
Agholor returned to the game and, on fourth-and-goal from the 4, caught a bullet from Wentz for the Eagles’ first touchdown, which was set up by an interception from Ronald Darby. Wentz, who earlier in the game took a shot to the midsection by linebacker Deion Jones, must not have been hurting too much. Trailing 17-12, the Eagles went for 2, and Wentz dove into the end zone but was ruled down because his knee hit before the ball crossed the goal line. The play was similar to the one against the Rams in 2017 in which suffered a season-ending knee injury.
In the second half, running back Corey Clement (shoulder) and defensive tackle Tim Jernigan (foot) left with injuries.
Here are some instant observations, facts and takeaways:
Frantic finish
After the Eagles scored a touchdown and followed it with a two-point conversion to go up by three points late in the fourth quarter, it set the stage for
a thrilling finish, which the teams delivered.
First, on fourth-and-three, Matt Ryan hit Julio Jones in the left flat on a legal pick play that went for a 54-yard touchdown.
It was the perfect call that was followed by perfect execution.
The Eagles followed with some perfect play-calling of their own, but the execution was flawed. On second-and-two from their 40, Wentz delivered a perfect pass to Agholor streaking down the left sideline. Agholor dropped what would have been a touchdown, absolutely.
Agholor somewhat redeemed himself with a fourth-down grab that gave the Eagles life, but the Eagles came up inches short on another fourth down.
Turnovers
After not getting any turnovers in their first game, the Eagles picked off three passes against the Falcons.
First, it was Sidney Jones in the second quarter, then it was Ronald Darby and Nate Gerry in the third.
Jones’ pick set up a short-field scoring drive for the Eagles that McCown started while Wentz was being checked for a concussion and completed 3-of-5 attempts for 24 yards. Wentz was back in by the end of the series, however.
Darby’s interception also set up a shortfield Eagles score. This time it paid off with eight points when Wentz first hit Nelson Agholor streaking across the back of the end zone for six then ran it in on a scramble.
Gerry’s interception came in the end zone, and the Eagles were not able to do anything.
Poor challenge
Falcons coach Dan Quinn was foolish to challenge a non-call when Rasul Douglas broke up a pass intended for Julio Jones. Replays showed that the contact coincided with the ball’s arrival.
Anyway, the play stood as called.
Atmosphere
This was the Eagles’ first trip to Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the relatively new home of the Falcons that opened two years ago.
It’s a remarkable feat of engineering and architecture that’s topped only by the pregame atmosphere.
It must be experienced by every football fan.