With a chance to stick it his former team for giving up on him early in his career, veteran quarterback Carson Wentz instead put forth a performance that justified the defending Super Bowl champions turning the page.
The mistakes from Wentz on Sunday afternoon at U.S. Bank Stadium were too much for the Vikings to overcome in a 28-22 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.
He missed a surefire touchdown to receiver Jordan Addison early in the game. He threw interception that was returned for a touchdown. He inexplicably dirted a ball in the red zone and got called for intentional grounding.
Though he still managed to show some flashes throughout the game — Wentz completed 26 of 42 passes for 313 yards and a touchdown — he more often showed the inconsistency that has turned him from the No. 2 pick in the 2016 NFL Draft to a journeyman backup seemingly in the twilight of his career.
A comeback attempt from the Vikings late in the game fell short as the Eagles got a long completion from quarterback Jalen Hurts to receiver A.J. Brown to put the game on ice. That forced the Vikings to lament the fact that most of their point came from kicker Will Reichard going 5 of 5 on field goal attempts.
A methodical opening drive from the Eagles forced the Vikings to chase the game from the onset.
After establishing the lime of scrimmage with a healthy dose of running back Saquon Barkley, the Eagles took a lead they wouldn’t relinquish when Hurts found Brown for a 37-yard touchdown to make it 7-0.
The shakiness from Wentz was on display from right away as he missed a wide open Addison on a throw that would have tied the game. A snap from backup center Blake Brandel later sailed over the head of Wentz for a huge loss and Reichard nailed a field goal to cut the deficit it 7-3.
It got worse from there for Wentz as he threw an interception to edge rusher Jalyx Hunt that was returned 42 yards the other way for a touchdown to helped the Eagles stretch their lead to 14-3.
The struggles from Wentz continued when he threw another interception after heaving a ball skyward while under pressure in his own end zone. The arm punt might have made sense had it not come on second down.
It looked like the Vikings had scored a touchdown later in the game when Wentz found receiver Jalen Nailor in the end zone. The points were immediately taken off the board after a holding penalty and Reichard came on to make it 14-6.
There was seemingly a chance for the Vikings to pull even once again after halftime.
A nice drive stalled out when Wentz missed fullback C.J. Ham in the flat, then made it worse by getting whistled for intentional grounding. That was another instance of the Vikings leaving meat on the bone as Reichard trotted on for another field goal to make it 14-9.
The game turned from there as Hurts uncorked a deep pass to receiver Devonta Smith for a 79-yard touchdown that helped the Eagles make it 21-9.
After the Vikings got a touchdown run by running back Jordan Mason cut the deficit to 21-16, the Eagles missed a field goal on the other end to keep it close. Unfortunately for the Vikings they had to settle for yet another field goal from Reichard to cut the deficit to 21-19.
Another touchdown from Hurts to Brown late in the game made it 28-19 in favor of the Eagles. It was fitting that the Vikings only mustered another field goal on the next drive to finalize the score at 28-22.
Related Articles
The Loop Fantasy Football Update Week 7: Last-minute moves
Now with Vikings, Isaiah Rodgers grateful Eagles gave him second chance
How the Vikings are building J.J. McCarthy from the ground up
Vikings vs. Eagles: What to know ahead of Week 7 matchup
Vikings picks: Only one true believer remaining
Leave a Reply