Carson Wentz has now played 57 games in an Eagles' uniform.
He has never been hit and sacked like he was on Sunday.
The 2020 season debut for the Eagles was a complete disaster for the offense, who after exploding for 17 points quickly, went scoreless on their next 11 possessions. An offense that is supposed to be lead by a whole new set of explosive weapons, an elite head coach and a franchise quarterback sat back and watched Washington score 27 straight points.
While everyone holds blame for that kind of ineptitude on offense, a large portion of the blame belongs to Wentz and offensive line, who together allowed Washington to total eight sacks — the most ever allowed with Wentz under center.
The scary part for the Eagles is that it wasn't just one player. It wasn't like in Week 2 of the 2017 season when they identified Isaac Seumalo as the problem, benched him, and moved on.
No, this was a complete failure by the six offensive linemen who played and the team's franchise quarterback, who definitely holds some of the blame as well.
Here is a close look at all eight of the sacks allowed by the Eagles on Sunday:
1st Sack: Ryan Kerrigan, 1st-&-10, 6:34 1st Quarter
Rookie right tackle Jack Driscoll leaves Washington defensive end Ryan Kerrigan to pick up a blitzing Troy Apke, allowing Kerrigan to run free. Wentz seems to be able to get away from Kerrigan, but Jason Peters is beat by defensive end Montez Sweat, who slows down Wentz before Kerrigan brings him down.
Blame: Offensive Line (Driscoll/Peters)
Solution: When Lane Johnson comes back, you have to hope you get better right tackle play.
2nd Sack: Matt Ioannidis, 2nd-&-20, 5:46 to play 1st Quarter
Wentz drops back and seems to want to hit tight end Dallas Goedert on a screen, but Kerrigan blows the play up. Wentz tries to run up the middle, but Jason Kelce, Seumalo, Peters, Driscoll and Nate Herbig have already allowed the defensive linemen to get through as the screen was being set up. Ioannidis brings down Wentz.
Blame: Blown play/Wentz
Solution: No real solution here — just a blown up play. You could argue Wentz needs to do a better job adjusting to the blown play and not run right into a sack.
3rd Sack: Chase Young, 3rd-&-5, 3:00 to play in 1st quarter
This one is pretty simple — Jason Peters was beaten badly on a spin move by Chase Young, who not only gets the sack after Wentz nearly escapes, but knocks the ball out as well.
Blame: Peters
Solution: Pray your 38-year old left tackle just had a bad day at the office vs. one of the best young pass rushers in the league.
4th Sack: Montez Sweat, 2nd-&-8, 14:36 to play in 2nd quarter
This was a brutal sack for Wentz to take. Tight end Richard Rodgers chips Sweat at the line, letting him through and then heading out on his route. The play seems to be designed for him. Wentz sees Sweat coming and just freezes, which allows Sweat to bring him down. The sack turned a 2nd-&-8 into a 3rd-&-20, killing the drive
.Blame: Wentz
Solution: Wentz needs to improve his pocket awareness. Really no excuse for this play to result in a sack.
5th Sack: Jonathan Allen and Ioannidis, 3rd-&-7, 6:29 to play in the 3rd quarter
This sack came at a crucial part of the game, with Washington pulling close, and the Eagles in need of some points. They were within field goal range with a manageable 3rd-down from the Washington 22-yard line. This play starts to break down when Driscoll is beaten by Sweat, which bumps Wentz from the pocket. Herbig then gets beat by Allen, while at the same time Ioannidis gets past Kelce. This one wasn't pretty for anyone, but Wentz needs to throw the ball away as he starts to back peddle.
Blame: Driscoll, Herbig, Wentz, Kelce
Solution: This sack had a little bit of everything. Poor play from young players who really shouldn't be out there anywhere. Your franchise quarterback not throwing the ball away. Not good and a sign of long-term problems the team could have his season.
6th Sack: Bostic, 4th-&-4, 1:18 to play in the 3rd quarter
Washington initially sends linebackers Jon Bostic and Kevin Pierre-Louis and up the middle, bringing their total to six players rushing Wentz. Kelce is initially stuck having to decide between the two, and picks the wrong one as Pierre-Louis drops into coverage. Bostic goes by him, and running back Boston Scott blows the protection, allowing Bostic to get a clear shot at Wentz, who goes down.
Blame: Good blitz by Washington, bad play by Scott
Solution: This was a great play call at the right time by Washington. Hopefully Miles Sanders, who is better in pass protection, makes the correct decision.
7th Sack: Kerrigan, 1st-&-10, 14:15 to play in the 4th quarter
Kerrigan gets a free rush at Wentz as he is left unblocked. Seumalo is too late getting over, and misses the block, allowing Kerrigan to get his hands on Wentz. Wentz tries to avoid the sack, and is extremely reckless with the ball, but is lucky enough not to fumble as he is brought down.
Blame: Seumalo
Solution: This was a completely blown play. The concerning part was watching Wentz pump fake the ball into Kerrigan's helmet as he was being brought down — yet another sign of him trying to do too much when the play is already dead.
8th Sack: Payne and Young, 1st-&-10, 3:25 to play in 4th quarter
Ioannidis gets right by Herbig at the snap, immediately wrecking the pocket and forcing Wentz to step up. Wentz pump fakes despite plenty of pressure around him. Wentz is brought down by Payne and Young while he is still in the air pump faking, and the ball comes loose.
Blame: Herbig, Wentz
Solution: Eagles have to hope Herbig improves from his first NFL start to his second.
Overall: The Eagles offensive coaches are not going to enjoy watching this tape. Perhaps when Lane Johnson comes back things get better, as Driscoll held some responsibility in two of the eight sacks. The issue is the other five starters — including Wentz — aren't going anywhere.
The Eagles clearly don't feel comfortable playing Matt Pryor, who must have been really bad in practice to not see the field. Herbig struggled against Washington, but it seems he will remain the starter. The play of Peters was also concerning. Young is likely going to be one of the better defensive ends the Eagles will see, but Peters really struggled to stick with the rookie. Kelce, Seumalo weren't great either, but the Eagles have to believe they will turn it around — because if they don't, the issues on this line will be insurmountable.
Things won't get much easier against the Los Angeles Rams next Sunday. There isn't some magic move to make to fix everything in one week.
For things to turn around, everyone — including the quarterback — will have to be considerably better.
You can reach Eliot Shorr-Parks on Twitter at @EliotShorrParks or email him at esp@94wip.com!
