Washington Commanders quarterback Carson Wentz admits he could have played better in Sunday’s loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. He played the team that drafted him second overall in 2016 for the first time.
Wentz pressured all game, resulting in nine sacks. It’s the most he’s been sacked in his career. While it’s easy to blame the offensive line for nine sacks, Wentz played a pivotal role in the offense’s struggles.
“Any time there’s a number like that, that is not the O-line,” Wentz said, per Ethan Cadeaux of NBC Sports Washington. “I got to get rid of the ball in a lot of those situations and find a way to just find a check down and move on and different things like that. So hats off to their D-line, their front. It’s a good front, but I got to be better and help our guys out.”
Washington’s offensive struggles were a collective effort. The wide receivers struggled at times to get open. The play-calling did mesh with the flow of the game. The offensive line got powered by the Eagles defensive line. But, what may have stood out the most was Wentz holding on to the football too long.
There were times, Commanders receivers flashed open underneath, yet, Wenzt’s eyes were downfield. The QB also didn’t feel the rush, resulting in the nine sacks.
At one point, the Commanders had minus-1 yards of total offense.
Wentz and the Commanders had similar issues last week’s loss to the Detroit Lions. The Lions’ defense sacked him five times, including three from this year’s second overall draft pick Aidan Hutchinson.
Everyone including Carson Wentz is to blame for nine sacks
Against the Eagles, Wentz appeared to miss tight end Logan Thomas crossing underneath on the first sack. On the second sack, Wentz got hit just as he looked at an open Antonio Gibson in the flat. Sack three, Wentz got hit as he pulled back the ball as wide receiver Terry McLaurin got covered by an Eagles defender.
Wentz failed to extend the pocket as the pressure surrounded him on sack four. The play broke down from the snap on sack five, yet he still missed two open receivers. Wentz lost the football as he tried to scramble out of danger. The Eagles recovered the fumble.
No receiving option peaked open on sack six. Eagles edge rusher Haason Reddick stripped the ball out of Wentz’s hands as the QB went into his throwing motion. Wentz recovered his own fumble.
Eagles defensive end Brandon Graham beat Commanders right tackle Sam Cosmi off the snap on sack seven. Neither Wentz nor the play had a chance.
Wentz missed an open J.D. McKissic on a slip on 4th-and-22 for sack eight. With sack nine, the Eagles brought a blitz that gave Wentz no chance on the play.
The description of each sack shows there was blame to go around, including Carson Wentz. Washington must clean the miscues in their pass protection. Offensive coordinator Scott Turner needs to adjust quickly to alleviate the pressure from Wentz and the offensive line.
Wentz has been sacked 14 times in the last two games. That number could significantly increase next week as the Commanders visit Micah Parson and the Dallas Cowboys.
