Carson Wentz just got done throwing a record-setting 33rd TD pass to Alshon Jeffery when he left the field. After watching the hard, sandwich hit he took on what turned out to be a non-play due to a penalty, I was amazed he went back into the huddle to play another down. But, Carson Wentz played another four plays throwing a TD pass on fourth down. He walked off the field and appeared to be limping just a little. And then, he went into that dreaded tent. When that happens in a game, my first thought is always “concussion protocol”. Not this time.
Wentz left the tent and walked, under his own power, to the locker room. The injury still did not look season-ending. But, on Monday it was reported he had suffered an ACL injury. That injury would put him out for the season this year and, perhaps, next year. The Eagles can ill afford to take any chances with their franchise quarterback. They must give him the time to fully recover.
So with arguably the NFL’s MVP out for the season, how will the Eagles fare without Wentz? Perhaps, the better question is, “Can the Eagles win with Nick Foles?” Foles started one game for the Chiefs last year and posted a QB rating of 12.5 (not close to being even mediocre). He certainly does not have Wentz’s mobility and was injured in each of his years with the Eagles. Next up would be third–string QB Nate Sudfeld who has never thrown an NFL pass. Or… dare I say it – Colin Kaepernick?
So is there hope? Yes – the Eagles can certainly run the ball with Blount, Ajayi, and Clement. They should be able to throw safe and short passes to their three tight ends. The Eagles’ defense is solid and seems to play at their very best with their backs against the wall. And there should be time to learn to mesh with Foles. They have the Giants away, and the Raiders and Cowboys at home. They should be able to win those games and give Foles a chance to get comfortable. Win them all and they are guaranteed the top seed in the NFC.
In 1990 the Giants won the Super Bowl with Jeff Hostetler, who was in the lineup because Phil Sims went down in Week 15. The Giants won the Super Bowl that year.
Can the Eagles do the same without Carson Wentz? I, along with throngs of Eagles’ fans have our doubts. The season has been magical so far and it might need a true magician to reach the desired finish.
ABOVE THE EARS (SOME MUSINGS)
-
- Seahawks defensive lineman, Quentin Jefferson, tried to go into the stands on Sunday in Jacksonville when, after being ejected, a fan threw a drink on him. His attempt was thwarted by an equipment manager.
- I was at the December 23, 1979, hockey game between the New York Rangers and the Boston Bruins played at Madison Square Garden when every Bruins player except one went into the stands after a Rangers fan reached over the glass and hit a Bruin player. I was far enough away to just be a spectator, but when we left the arena, angry fans had surrounded the Bruins bus. It looked like the entire NY police force was there to allow the players to leave the city. No one seemed to be in the holiday spirit. (There were suspensions, lawsuits, and installation on higher glass).
- Thanks to the NFL Red Zone, I was able to watch a great deal of the Bills–Colts game played in blizzard-like conditions on Sunday. I now understand what weathermen mean by “lake-effect snow.” The Bills won in overtime in a surreal environment.
- The Browns just cannot win a game. Even after wide receiver Josh Gordon caught his first TD pass since 2013 and having a 21-7 lead going into the fourth quarter, they still managed to lose to the Packers in OT 28-21. They now are 0-13. The Ravens are next.
- No one would argue that it has been a good winter so far for a Philadelphia sports fan (except for the Flyers) – the Eagles are great; the ’76-ers play exciting and winning NBA basketball; and the Villanova Wildcats are now the #1 college basketball team in the nation (Duke and Kansas both lost this week).
- Two great wrestling matches will occur next week on RCN-TV when PA’s #1 team Bethlehem Catholic takes on Northampton on December 20 and Nazareth faces Easton on December 21. This is an early holiday gift for wrestling fan. High school basketball will be on RCN-TV Tuesday and Friday.
Gary’s Guesses: NFL Picks – (LAST WEEK – 8-8; OVERALL – 130-77 – 63%)
Week Fifteen
