Philadelphia Eagles

Philadelphia Eagles Week 3: Who Impressed or Disappointed?

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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The Philadelphia Eagles dominated their Week 3 matchup, but who impressed or disappointed?

The big question heading into the Philadelphia Eagles’ matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers was whether or not the Eagles are for real. They had beaten the Cleveland Browns in Week 1, which led to many it’s just the Browns arguments. Then they took down the Chicago Bears on Monday Night Football in Week 2. But again, it was just the Bears.

Everyone wanted to see how they would play against the Steelers, whom some have winning the Super Bowl this season or at least being a legitimate contender. Along with seeing if the Eagles were the real deal, many wanted to see how the rookie quarterback, and number two overall pick, Carson Wentz played against a solid defense. Well, the Eagles answered the question with a statement win over their state rival, dominating the game 34-3 and Wentz played great.

The win has many Eagles fans excited and more importantly; it took the Eagles to an impressive 3-0 record as they head into their Bye Week. They will have the week to regroup and try to stay levelheaded. After their bye, the Eagles will head to Detroit to take on the Lions in Week 5.

The win this past week was huge for the Eagles, but there were some positives and negatives. Let’s take a look at which Eagles impressed or disappointed after their Week 3 victory.

Sep 25, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz (11) points to the Pittsburgh Steelers defense in the first quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-USA TODAY Sports

Carson Wentz: Impressed

Like I said earlier, many people wanted to see how Wentz would play against a formidable defense like the Steelers. And just like in Week 1 and 2, he balled out and showed he is the real deal.

The rookie started hot right away, completing passes for first downs and showcasing his elite accuracy. The hot start led to an impressive drive that was capped off by his first touchdown throw of the game.

Wentz navigated the offense the entire game and he looked like a seasoned veteran calling audibles. The Steelers defense didn’t seem to have an answer for the first-year pro and he torched them for 301 yards and two touchdowns.

A majority of his yards and his second touchdown came on the best play of the game. Wentz recognized the blitz up the middle and made that guy miss. He then stepped up in the pocket and kept his eyes down the field. He made it look as if he was going to run with the ball, but then threw a beautiful little 22-yard touch-pass to his running back Darren Sproles. Sproles did the rest and scored a 73-yard touchdown.

After three weeks, Wentz is currently the No. 1 ranked quarterback in my quarterback power rankings. He is also the No. 1 ranked quarterback by Pro Football Focus with his 90.5 overall grade. Pro Football Focus also said that through three weeks, they have never graded a quarterback higher than Wentz.

He was impressive for the third straight week and the Eagles are hoping that the bye week doesn’t cool him off.

Sep 25, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles running back Ryan Mathews (24) walks out of the tunnel for warm ups against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Ryan Mathews: Disappointed

If there is one player who is happy that the Eagles head into their Bye Week, it is running back Ryan Mathews. When the Eagles traded DeMarco Murray, everyone was excited to get rid of his big contract and poor attitude. The only problem was that, after the move, Mathews became the starter.

I said it was one of the worst moves of the offseason.

The reason for my negativity towards Mathews becoming the new starting running back was the fact he can never stay healthy. Through two weeks, Mathews has played okay. He hadn’t had many yards, but he’d scored three touchdowns. In Week 2, he scored two of those three touchdowns, but tweaked his ankle. That ankle tweak hindered him at practice during the week and then impacted his Week 3 performance.

Against the Steelers in Week 3, Matthews carried the ball two times for a loss of five yards. His ankle never felt right, so the Eagles held him out. For the man who has never started a full 16-game season, it looks like he may keep that streak alive. Luckily for him they do have their bye week, but the big question is whether he will be healthy for Week 5.

It is certainly disappointing that Mathews is already injured in 2016. The Eagles obviously want him to be their lead-back, but if he isn’t, do they have running backs who can step up?

Sep 25, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles running back Darren Sproles (43) carries the ball for a 73 yard touchdown reception past Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back Cortez Allen (28) during the third quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Darren Sproles, Wendell Smallwood, and Kenjon Barner: Impressed

With Mathews getting injured already, who was going to step up at running back? It was running back by committee for the Eagles once Mathews checked out and that committee did some serious work on Sunday. It all starts with the veteran pass-catching running back in Sproles.

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Sproles is one of the most electrifying players in NFL history and he showcased that on Sunday when he scored the amazing 73-yard touchdown. He ended the game with two carries for negative one yards rushing, but did his damage in the passing game catching six passes for 128 yards and that touchdown.

While Sproles did work in the passing game, rookie fifth round pick Wendell Smallwood and fourth string running back Kenjon Barner picked up the slack in the running game. Smallwood made a big impact, carrying the ball 17 times for 79 yards and a touchdown. It was nice to see the rookie hit holes with authority and finish runs, especially for a guy who only stands 5-10.

Smallwood wasn’t the only running back who scored, as Barner punched it in for six as well. Barner also added 42 yards on eight carries in the game. The two running backs combined for 25 carries, 121 yards, and two touchdowns.

On the entire day, these three running backs combined for 248 yards and three touchdowns. They were more than impressive and if they can continue to do work together, the Eagles may be okay without Mathews.

Sep 25, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Jordan Matthews (81) carries the ball after a catch en route to a touchdown in the second quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-USA TODAY Sports

The Wide Receivers: Disappointed

12 catches for 93 yards and a touchdown. That wide receiver had a great day in the office! Wait, it wasn’t one receiver? No, it was four (yes, four).

In Week 3, the Eagles’ wide receiver core did not play well. Outside of Jordan Matthews catching a touchdown pass in the second quarter, it seemed as if the Eagles left their wideouts in Chicago.

Putting the terrible outing in perspective: one receiver in the NFL had just as many catches (12). Also, 14 wide receivers had more yards and four receivers had more touchdowns. The Eagles defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers handedly, but their star wideout Antonio Brown had 12 receptions for 140 yards and no scores. You could argue that he had a better day than all of the Eagles’ receivers combined!

The statistics looked like this to end the game:

The Eagles’ win over the Steelers was impressive, but their wide receiver core was far from it. They disappointed in Week 3 and they need to use this Bye Week to get things right for Week 5. The Eagles can’t depend on Sproles to catch six passes for 128 yards and a touchdown.

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