Eagles history: Nine memorable games of the Carson Wentz legacy
Game three: Carolina scores 21 in the 4th quarter t cap a comeback road win at Lincoln Financial Field.
This remains one of the more puzzling games in Eagles history. In Week 7 of the 2018 NFL season, the Philadelphia Eagles were home for a matchup versus the Carolina Panthers. The Birds owned a 3-3 record and were looking to gain some momentum. Carson Wentz was playing in his fifth game following the torn ACL and MCL he sustained in 2017. Philly dominated the first three quarters of action, but as you know, there are four quarters in a football game.
Wentz looked spectacular in the first half. He made throws past the sticks and consistently found Zach Ertz, Alshon Jeffrey, and Dallas Goedert while the Panthers were unable to mount an effective drive (or find their way into Eagles territory). Ertz was having a day and went on to finish with nine catches for 138 yards.
We regret having to inform you that there’s more to this story.
The second half began with the Eagles up on the scoreboard by a 10-0 margin. They were up 17-0 a little later. That’s where things went sideways, and that’s where we began to see the early stages of the full Carson Wentz experience.
Wentz began throwing into heavy traffic and fumbling. The Panthers found some momentum, and Carolina scored touchdowns on all three of their fourth-quarter drives, including one that came on a play that looked eerily similar to the Philly Special. This was a rushing TD however. Wentz and the Eagles managed to drive down the Panthers’ 14-yard line, but following two incompletions that could’ve just as easily been intercepted, this one ehorrifyinglyshion.
Two Panthers defenders met at Carson Wentz, he fumbled, Carolina recovered, and Wentz walked off of the field despondently with his helmet in hand. The newer and less talented Carson Wentz was born, and even though he crafted a few more great memories as the Eagles QB1, seemingly, the guy that almost won the MVP trophy was never to return.