Carson Wentz and the Philadelphia Eagles Take Control of NFC East

The NFC East is probably the most interesting division in all of professional football — and we say that with an apology toward the AFC East. Entering into the year the NFC East was expected to have three teams competing for the top of the division: Philadelphia, New York and Dallas. However, through the first seven games of the year it is Philadelphia, Dallas and Washington all competing to take control. On Monday night for Week 7 we saw the Philadelphia Eagles square off against their division rivals, the Washington Redskins, in what could be a deciding game in the division. What we got was a sign that Philadelphia is here to play and that the Super Bowl might not be so far away.

Of course, any talk of the Super Bowl is definitely premature at this point in the season. Still, it is almost impossible to ignore just how good second-year QB Carson Wentz has become. Wentz has helped to turn Philadelphia’s offense into one of the best in the league. He is averaging career highs across the entire board and his poise under pressure has been something to marvel at. Wentz is ranked 1st in the NFL in TD passes and 7th in cumulative QBR. He put both of those rankings on display in a tour de force win over the Washington Redskins on Monday Night Football. Philly rolled to an easy 34 – 24 win and in that victory displayed all of the traits that Championship teams are made of.

Wentz looked completely in control from start to finish against Washington as he nailed 68% of his passes, rolled for 268 yards, and landed four touchdown passes. Wentz showcased his big-play ability with a huge 64 yard TD pass to Mack Hollins but what was most impressive was his ability to pick apart Washington’s depleted secondary. Of course, the Redskins did their damage — they picked Wentz off once and sacked him a trio of times. Wentz still rebounded and showed what he was made of. In fact, he’s been so good that even opposing coaches are getting in on the praise. Washington’s head coach, Jay Gruden, said of Wentz that he was upset the man landed in the NFC East. Gruden would go on to say that Wentz, “Progressed at a rate as fast as anybody I’ve seen, really.” We’ll see what this turns into, but right now we are starting to see Super Bowl lights.