Wentz’s stature grows with 3- 0 start

Eagles rookie QB stellar again in shredding Steelers

A fan held up a sign with a ginger- haired Jesus pointing one finger forward on his right hand and flashing a thumbs- up with his left.

It has been only three weeks, but Philly has given Carson Wentz that, ahem, divine treatment.

The Philadelphia Eagles, fueled again behind a surgical Wentz performance, crushed the Pittsburgh Steelers 34- 3 in a statement game that surely will send a message to the rest of the NFL. Wentz completed 23 of 31 passes for 301 yards with two touchdowns and again didn’t commit a turnover.

Wentz’s first two victories came against the Cleveland Browns and Chicago Bears. This was different.

Wentz dissected a legitimate Super Bowl contender. Now the Eagles are 3- 0, have sole possession of first place in the NFC East and look every bit like a young team that can compete for a playoff spot.

“He can put the ball anywhere, and you have to defend the whole field,” offensive coordinator Frank Reich said of his rookie quarterback. “He’s not afraid to make throws to the side. When they have to defend the whole field, it brings a different dynamic. He’s fearless like that, yet he’s doing it without forcing anything. That’s probably what’s most exciting.”

Indeed, Wentz has shattered expectations. He is the first rookie in league history to throw more than 100 passes without an interception to start his career. He’s the only player to ever have more than 100 attempts, more than 60 completions, five or more touchdowns and zero interceptions in his first three games.

“I don’t think you can say enough,” Eagles center Jason Kelce said. “I mean, I know he’s getting all the praise in the world right now, but he deserves every single bit he’s getting. He has been the most consistent player through these first three games.

“What Carson has done has been incredible, in my opinion, as a rookie. And he has really elevated this whole offense to another level.”

Added tight end Brent Celek: “This kid is inspiring me. ... He’s adding youth to my game just by the way he’s acting, being in the huddle, taking command. It’s beyond impressive.”

Remember, this is the same rookie quarterback who, a week before the season started, thought he would spend the entire season on the bench in a de facto redshirt year. It took a devastating injury to Minnesota Vikings starter Teddy Bridgewater for the Eagles to strike a deal that sent incumbent starter Sam Bradford out of town in a package that included a first- round pick.

Philadelphia’s early success, however, is so much more than just Wentz.

The Eagles have built offensive game plans around him, which has allowed the rookie to show off his strengths: a rifle arm, accuracy, mobility, the ability to extend plays, analysis of defensive schemes and much more.

Philadelphia also has made the game manageable for Wentz. The Eagles ran misdirections, short crossing routes, quick throws to the edge, zone- beating posts up the seam and screen passes Sunday.

So many screens, as Steelers coach Mike Tomlin lamented after the game.

“I think he threw for 300 yards, but I imagine 150 of it were screens to backs and tight ends,” Tomlin said.

The Eagles also took a few chances down the field, but they’re primarily attempting to exploit gaps in opposing zones.

That was on display in a thirdquarter play that put the game completely out of reach. Holding a 10- point lead, Wentz took a third- down shotgun snap. When a Steelers rusher knifed through the offensive line, Wentz escaped to the right side of the field, pump- faked and waited just long enough for running back Darren Sproles to slip past his defender. Wentz lofted a pass down the sideline to a wide- open Sproles, who juked and shimmied his way 73 yards down the field for a touchdown.

“I always want to be a thrower first,” Wentz said. “Anytime a play breaks down, I’m always looking — because that’s where the big plays are happening. Me scrambling, yeah, I might get 5, 10, 15, 20 yards, but I’m not that fast. I want to give it to the guys that can make plays.”

The Eagles enter their bye week undefeated and full of confidence. On the other side of it await consecutive road games against the Detroit Lions and Washington Redskins.

But Philadelphia is riding high, and this improbable victory is the biggest reason.

“We view every week as a measuring stick,” Wentz said diplomatically.

“But everyone is starting to play inspired football. Everyone is believing in each other. It has been three great team wins.”

JAMES LANG, USA TODAY SPORTS Carson Wentz had 301 passing yards and two touchdowns to lead the Eagles past the Steelers on Sunday.