NOTES: WENTZ HAS HISTORIC PERFORMANCE IN DEBUT: COX, MATTHEWS ALSO STAR IN SEASON OPENER
Al Thompson
Here are some key notes from the Eagles on their 29-10 win over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday September 11, 2016.
Rookie quarterback Carson Wentz shrugged off a less-than-spectacular training camp, a tough preseason debut against Tampa Bay to deliver a terrific performance in his NFL debut.
Wentz completed 22 of 37 attempts for 278 yards, two touchdowns and zero interceptions. His passer rating was 101. Here are some Notes about rookie quarterback and highlights.
WENTZ MAKES DEBUT
· Carson Wentz became the first Eagles rookie QB to start a season opener since Davey O’Brien on 9/17/39 vs. Washington. Wentz is the first Eagles rookie QB to play on opening day since Randall Cunningham in 1985.
· Wentz is the first Eagles rookie QB to win a game since Nick Foles on 12/9/12 at Tampa Bay (W, 23-21). He is also the first Eagles rookie QB to win a home game since Donovan McNabb on 1/2/00 vs. St. Louis (W, 38-31).
· Wentz’s 278 passing yards were the fourth-most ever by an Eagles rookie QB (record is held by Nick Foles, 381 on 12/9/12 at TB), as well as the most by an Eagles rookie QB in his first career start since at least 1960.
· Wentz posted a 101.0 passer rating, the highest mark by an Eagles rookie QB since John Reaves (104.4) on 12/17/72 at St. Louis (min. 20 pass attempts).
· Since at least 1960, only three NFL rookie QBs have posted 275+ passing yards, 2+ passing TDs and 0 INTs in a season opener: Wentz, Robert Griffin III in 2012 and Jim Kelly in 1986.
· Wentz engineered a nine-play, 75-yard scoring drive on his first career NFL possession (19-yard passing TD to Jordan Matthews). Wentz went 4-of-5 for 57 yards, including five first downs, on the opening drive. It was the first time the Eagles scored a TD on a season-opening drive since 9/7/08 vs. St. Louis.
MATTHEWS HITS 100 YARDS
· Jordan Matthews finished with 114 yards on seven receptions, including one TD. Matthews’ 114 receiving yards marked his eighth career 100-yard game and the fourth-highest single-game total of his career. Matthews has produced 100+ receiving yards in three of his last four contests dating back to 2015.
· Matthews has now recorded 50+ receiving yards and 1+ TD in four straight games, the longest streak by an Eagles player since Terrell Owens (four games) during the 2004 campaign.
· Matthews is the first Eagles player since at least 1960 to post 100+ receiving yards in consecutive season openers (102 yards at Atlanta in 2015).
IMPRESSIVE NUMBERS
· Zach Ertz (58 yards on six receptions) has posted 5+ catches and 50+ receiving yards in five straight games, the longest streak by an Eagles player since Jeremy Maclin (five games) in 2011.
· Darren Sproles, who totaled 59 yards on four punt returns vs. Cleveland (including a 40-yard punt return in the first quarter), surpassed Bosh Pritchard (975) for the fifth-most punt return yards (1,011) in Eagles history.
· Fletcher Cox has recorded at least one sack in four of his five career performances on Opening Day, including a previous takedown of Robert Griffin III vs. Washington in 2013.
EAGLES vs. BROWNS
· The Eagles defense forced three straight three-and-outs to open the game and did allow a Browns first down in the first quarter.
· The Eagles have won each of their last five games against the Browns. Philadelphia’s five-game winning streak vs. Cleveland is the club’s second-longest active streak against any NFL opponent (10 games vs. N.Y. Jets).
· Since 2014, the Eagles have posted the NFL’s best winning percentage in interconference games, going 8-1 (.889) vs. AFC teams.
KICKOFF WEEKEND
· Philadelphia has won five of its last six kickoff weekend contests since 2011, as well as seven of their last nine season openers since 2008.
· Since 2004, the Eagles have won four of their last five season-opening games at Lincoln Financial Field.
DOUG DELIVERS
· Doug Pederson is the first Eagles head coach to win his first home game with the team since Dick Vermeil on 9/19/76 vs. N.Y. Giants at Veterans Stadium (W, 20-7).