Wentz Shines Again; Eagles Dominate Steelers 34-3 to Get to 3-0

September 25th, 2016 Matt Loede Posted in Game Stories, News

Pittsburgh Steelers v Philadelphia Eagles

Carson Wentz threw for 301 yards and two touchdowns, a fierce defense shut down Ben Roethlisberger and Antonio Brown and the Philadelphia Eagles beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 34-3 on Sunday to remain unbeaten.

The rookie No. 2 overall pick connected with Darren Sproles on a 73-yard, catch-and-run TD and tossed a 12-yard TD pass to Jordan Matthews.

“Everyone has confidence and high expectations for themselves,” Wentz said. “We’re playing inspired football.”

After beating the Browns and Bears in the first two games, the Eagles (3-0) proved they could compete with the big boys.

The Steelers (2-1) averaged 31 points the first two weeks and are considered Super Bowl contenders.

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Steelers at Eagles NFL Week 3 Inactives

September 25th, 2016 Matt Loede Posted in Injuries, News

Here’s today’s inactives for the Steelers and Eagles

Steelers

Steven Johnson (LB)
Zach Mettenberger (QB)
Roosevelt Nix (RB)
Senquez Golson (CB)
Leterrius Walton (DE)

Eagles

WR Bryce Treggs
DB Leodis McKelvin
C Josh Andrews
OT Dillon Gordon
OT Halapoulivaati Vaitai
OG Isaac Seumalo
TE Zach Ertz

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Eagles Announce TE Ertz and CB McKelvin to Miss Sunday’s Game vs Steelers

September 23rd, 2016 Matt Loede Posted in Injuries, News

Zach Ertz

Doug Pederson said Friday that tight end Zach Ertz and corner Leodis McKelvin will miss this Sunday’s game against the Steelers but should be ready to go when the Eagles return from their ensuing bye week, Les Bowen of the Philadelphia Daily News reports.

Ertz (displaced first rib) and McKelvin (hamstring) were injured in the Eagles’ season-opening victory over the Browns.

Pederson said rookie guard Isaac Seumalo, still bothered by a preseason pectoral strain, will not play again this week. Pederson said he also thinks Seumalo will be ready to practice after the bye, but given his extended absence, veteran Stefen Wisniewski would be the starter at left guard if Lane Johnson were suspended and Allen Barbre had to move from left guard to right tackle. Johnson’s appeal of his 10-game suspension is scheduled for Oct. 4, as the Eagles are returning from their bye and beginning preparations to visit Detroit Oct. 9.

“The bye week kind of hits us at a good time, for those two, especially,” Pederson said, referring to Ertz and McKelvin. “I’m prepared for him and Leo both to be ready to go after the break.”

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Steelers vs Eagles NFL Week Three Capsule

September 20th, 2016 Matt Loede Posted in News

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PITTSBURGH STEELERS (2-0) AT PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (2-0)

REGULAR SEASON SERIES

  STEELERS EAGLES
SERIES LEADER   46-28-3
STREAKS 2 of past 3  
COACHES VS. OPP. Mike Tomlin: 1-1 Doug Pederson: 0-0
LAST WEEK W 24-16 vs. Cincinnati W 29-14 at Chicago
LAST GAME 10/7/12: Eagles 14 at Steelers 16. Pittsburgh QB Ben Roethlisberger throws for 220 yards & TD. Steelers K Shaun Suisham kicks GW 34-yard FG as time expires.
LAST GAME AT SITE 9/21/08: Eagles 15, Steelers 6. Philadelphia QB Donovan McNabb throws for 196 yards & TD. Eagles WR Hank Basket has 8 catches for 85 yards.
REFEREE Brad Allen
BROADCAST CBS (4:25 PM ET): Jim Nantz, Phil Simms, Tracy Wolfson (Field reporter). SIRIUS: 132 (Pit), 82 (Phi). XM: 380 (Pit), 82 (Phi).

STATS

PASSING Ben Roethlisberger: 46-74-559-6 (1L)-3-95.5 Carson Wentz (R): 43-71-468-3-0-94.1
RUSHING DeAngelo Williams: 58-237 (1L)-4.1-2 Mathews: 31-109-3.5-3 (T1L)
RECEIVING Antonio Brown: 12-165-13.8-2 Matthews: 13-185-14.2-1
OFFENSE 405.5 341.5
TAKE/GIVE +1 +4 (3L)
DEFENSE 398.0 286.0 (2L)
SACKS Arthur Moats: 1 Brandon Graham: 2
INTs James Harrison, Ryan Shazier: 1 Nigel Bradham, Rodney McLeod: 1
PUNTING Jordan Berry: 48.4 Donnie Jones: 46.6
KICKING Chris Boswell: 14 (8/8 PAT; 2/2 FG) Caleb Sturgis: 20 (5/6 PAT; 5/6 FG)

NOTES

STEELERS: QB BEN ROETHLISBERGER leads NFL with 6 pass TDs. Aims for 4th in row with 3+ TD passes. Is 31-13 (.705) in career vs. NFC with 96.8 rating & has won 4 of past 5 interconference starts…RB DE ANGELO WILLIAMS leads NFL with 237 rush yards. Is oldest player in NFL history to rush for 200+ yards in team’s 1st 2 games. Had career-high 101 rec. yards vs. Phi. (12/4/06 with Car.). In 5 games vs. NFC with Pit., has 6 rush TDs…WR ANTONIO BROWN has 106 catches for 1,481 yards (113.9 per game) & 13 TDs in past 13 vs. NFC. Since 2013, leads NFL with 387 catches & 5,196 rec. yards. TEs JESSE JAMES & XAVIER GRIMBLE each had TD catch last week. WR SAMMIE COATES had 2 catches for 97 yards in Week 2 & is averaging 38.3 yards per catch in 2016 (4 catches, 153 yards)…LB RYAN SHAZIER leads team with 17 tackles. Has 22 tackles, 2 FFs, FR, INT & sack in past 3 vs. NFC. CB WILLIAM GAY has 5 INT-TDs since 2013, tied for most in NFL. LB LAWRENCE TIMMONS had 9 tackles & FF in last meeting…EAGLES: Rookie QB CARSON WENTZ passed for 190 yards & TD last week. Became first rookie QB since 1970 to win first two starts of season & throw 0 INTs…RB RYAN MATHEWS had 2 rush TDs in Week 2. Aims for 3rd in row at home with rush TD…WR JORDAN MATTHEWS has TD catch in 6 of past 8. Aims for 4th in row at home with 100+ rec. yards & TD. TE TREY BURTON had 1st career TD catch last week. TE BRENT CELEK had TD catch in last meeting…DT FLETCHER COX has 9.5 sacks in past 8 at home. Aims for 3rd in row with sack vs. AFC. DE BRANDON GRAHAM has 2 sacks & FF in past 2. Rookie DT DESTINY VAEAO had 1st career sack & FF last week. LB CONNOR BARWIN has 7.5 sacks in past 7 vs. AFC. Had sack in last game vs. Pit (10/2/11 with Hou). LB NIGEL BRADHAM had INT in Week 2.

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Pederson Sees similarities Between Carson Wentz and Steelers QB Roethlisberger

September 20th, 2016 Joe Sageman Posted in News

Carson Wentz

There are some legitimate parallels to draw between Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz and Ben Roethlisberger, who will be in town Sunday when the Eagles host the Pittsburgh Steelers, Tim McManus of ESPN.com reports.

Roethlisberger is 6-foot-5, 240 pounds. Wentz is listed at 6-5, 237. Both are first-round picks out of lesser-known football programs — Roethlisberger from Miami (Ohio); Wentz from North Dakota State. Each started his rookie NFL season as a third-stringer, only to rapidly ascend into a starting role.

And, as Eagles coach Doug Pederson pointed out, each is capable of doing some damage on the move.

“Carson has the ability to extend plays with his legs; Ben is big, strong, physical in the pocket, hard to bring down and continues to have great vision down the field,” Pederson said. “I think that’s one of Carson’s strengths, is he continues to have that vision down the field when things begin to break down.

“So, yeah, there’s a lot of similarities there. And the fact that they’re both very good throwers outside the pocket is a tribute to both of them.”

“Carson is doing a great job of making reads and getting them in good plays and maybe getting them out of some bad plays,” Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said. “He’s showing great maturity for a young guy from that perspective in terms of the amount of communication he’s involved with. … Those who are successful generally don’t play like rookies.”

That’s the point that Pederson continues to bring up. He likened Wentz to a nine- or 10-year vet after Monday’s win over the Bears, pointing to the quarterback’s command of the huddle and the way he is communicating between series.

“It’s the fact that he’s having [those conversations],” Pederson said. “You don’t see that all the time. Number two, is the depth and the actual game-plan specific things that he’s seeing out there on the field, what he’s hearing out on the field, and coming to us and recommending.

“He’s asking me all the time, ‘What are you thinking on the next series?’ And so I give him two or three passes, a run or two in there, and things that we’re seeing. At the same time, I want to know what he’s thinking because he’s the one playing the game.”

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Dazzling Debut for Wentz as the Eagles Top the Browns 29-10

September 11th, 2016 Matt Loede Posted in Game Stories, News, Opinions

Cleveland Browns v Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles had a big opening day at home Sunday, topping the Cleveland Browns and former Redskins QB Robert Griffin III with a 29-10 win. Rookie Carson Wentz threw for 278 yards and two scores in his regular season debut for the Eagles.

Griffin was pressured much of the day, and ended it throwing for just 190 yards with a pick, and he also hurt his non-throwing shoulder late in the game.

Here’s some keys to the win for the Eagles, as they get an opening day win for new head coach Doug Pederson.

1. Wentz Didn’t Look Frazzled

Many felt that the rookie QB, who played little in the preseason with an injury, would have major issues Sunday, but instead he was very good against the Browns defense, hitting passes and making key plays. It started great as he led the team 75 yards for a score on the first possession. He had his moments of struggle like any QB, but overall the team has to be thrilled with the way Wentz played.

2. Running Up a Storm

Everyone knew the Browns run defense was bad, but the team rushed for 133 yards with Ryan Mathews going for a team high 77 yards. The Eagles ran for 3.9 yards per carry, and it seemed like when they needed 1-2 key yards, they got it. Again, you have to look at the competition, but imagine if this unit had struggled knowing just how bad the Browns run D is going to be all season.

3. Physical D

Three sacks, five tackles for loss, five QB hits and a pick. Those were the numbers for the Eagles D on Sunday, as they held Cleveland’s offense to 10 points, including one touchdown. The way they abused RGIII was a thing of beauty, and putting pressure on the QB was a huge key entering the game, and this unit came through just about every time they were asked to.

Next: The Eagles are on Monday night football next Monday in Chicago against the Bears.

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Browns at Eagles NFL Week One Inactives

September 11th, 2016 Matt Loede Posted in Injuries, News

Today’s inactive for the Browns and Eagles:

Browns Inactives:

Marcus Burley (CB)
Scooby Wright (LB)
Cody Kessler (QB)
Jordan Payton (WR)
Tyrone Holmes (DE)
Briean Boddy-Calhoun (CB)

Eagles Inactives:

Trey Burton (TE)
Terrence Brooks (S)
Dillon Gordon (TE)
Bryce Treggs (WR)

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Browns vs Eagles NFL Week One Capsule

September 7th, 2016 Matt Loede Posted in News

CLEVELAND BROWNS AT PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

REGULAR SEASON SERIES

BROWNS EAGLES
SERIES LEADER 31-16-1  
STREAKS   Past 4
COACHES VS. OPP. Hue Jackson: 0-0 Doug Pederson: 0-0
LAST GAME 09/09/12: Eagles 17 at Browns 16. Philadelphia QB Michael Vick throws for 317 yards & 2 TDs. Eagles TE Clay Harbor has GW 4-yard TD catch with 1:23 remaining in 4th quarter.
LAST GAME AT SITE 12/15/08: Eagles 30, Browns 10. Philadelphia QB Donovan McNabb throws for 290 yards & 2 TDs. Eagles CB Asante Samuel has 50-yard INT-TD.
REFEREE Walt Anderson
BROADCAST CBS (1:00 PM ET): Greg Gumbel, Trent Green, Jamie Erdahl (Field reporter). SIRIUS: 112 (Cle), 132 (Phi). XM: 385 (Cle), 231 (Phi).

2015 STATS

PASSING Robert Griffin III (Pre.): 22-38-313-3-1-100.0 Carson Wentz (R) (Pre.): 12-24-89-0-1-41.8
RUSHING Isaiah Crowell: 185-706-3.8-4 Ryan Mathews: 106-539-5.1-6
RECEIVING Gary Barnidge (TE): 79-1043-13.2-9 Jordan Matthews: 85-997-11.7-8
OFFENSE 331.9 364.4
TAKE/GIVE -9 -5
DEFENSE 379.2 401.6
SACKS Christian Kirksey: 3.5 Fletcher Cox: 9.5
INTs Jordan Poyer: 2 4 tied: 2
PUNTING Britton Colquitt (Den.): 43.6 Donnie Jones: 47.0
KICKING Patrick Murray (Pre.): 9 (3/3 PAT; 2/3 FG) Caleb Sturgis: 89 (35/37 PAT; 18/22 FG)

NOTES

BOTH TEAMS have new head coaches: HUE JACKSON (Cle.) & DOUG PEDERSON (Phi.)…BROWNS: QB ROBERT GRIFFIN III makes Cle. debut. Has 5 starts vs. Phi. with 98.3 rating. In 11/18/12 meeting (with Was.), completed 14 of 15 (93.3 pct.) for 200 yards with 4 TDs & 0 INTs for 158.3 rating. Also rushed for 84 yards…T JOE THOMAS is only OL in NFL history to be selected to Pro Bowl in each of 1st 9 seasons. Has started all 144 games in career…RB ISAIAH CROWELL led team in 2015 with 706 rush yards & 4 rush TDs. RB DUKE JOHNSON, JR. ranked 4th among NFL RBs last season with 61 catches (534 yards)…TE GARY BARNIDGE had career-high 79 catches for 1,043 yards & 9 TDs in 2015. His 9 rec. TDs tied HOFer OZZIE NEWSOME (1979) for most ever by Browns TE. WR COREY COLEMAN was selected No. 15 overall by Cle. in 2016 NFL Draft. Won 2015 Biletnikoff Award as NCAA’s best receiver…Since 2010, CBs TRAMON WILLIAMS (92) & JOE HADEN (90) are top 2 in NFL in PD. LB DEMARIO DAVIS joins Cle. after 4 years with NYJ. Has started all 48 games & has 305 tackles in past 3 seasons…EAGLES: QB CARSON WENTZ was selected No. 2 overall by Phi. in 2016 NFL Draft. Led North Dakota State to back-to-back NCAA Division I FCS national championships (2014-15)…RB RYAN MATHEWS had 5.1 rush avg. last season, 4th best among NFL RBs. Has rush TD in 5 of past 9…WR JORDAN MATTHEWS has 152 catches since 2014, 10th-most receptions in NFL history through 1st 2 seasons of career. WR DORIAL GREEN-BECKHAM makes Phi. debut. Led rookies with 17.2 yards per catch average in 2015 with Ten. (min. 32 rec.). TE ZACH ERTZ has 450 rec. yards in past 4 & joined JIMMY GRAHAM as only NFL TEs with 450+ yards over 4-game span since 2013…DT FLETCHER COX has 8.5 sacks in past 12 games. LB CONNOR BARWIN has 6.5 sacks in past 6 vs. AFC. S MALCOLM JENKINS had career-high 104 tackles with 10 PDs & 3 FFs last year. S RODNEY MC LEOD makes Phi. debut. Had career-high 81 tackles with 3 FFs last season with Rams.

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