ESPN Eagles reporter Tim McManus recaps the team’s 28-23 win over the Panthers and how Philadelphia is exceeding expectations with a 5-1 start.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Fresh off a punishing game in which he was sacked three times and absorbed eight quarterback hits, Carson Wentz was asked how he felt physically during his postgame news conference.
“I’m feeling great. We’re 5-1, baby,” he responded.
But the Philadelphia Eagles’ 28-23 win over the Carolina Panthers was hard-earned. They knew they had their hands full against a Panthers defense that entered the game ranked third in the NFL in sacks (17), especially without the services of right tackle Lane Johnson, still in concussion protocol. Johnson’s replacement, Halapoulivaati Vaitai, gave up a sack to Julius Peppers right out of the chute. All three sacks came off the right side of the Eagles’ line, along with seven of the 13 pressures.
The degree of difficulty was ratcheted up by the fact that Carolina used exotic looks it had not shown on tape. And did they ever bring the heat. According to ESPN Stats & Information, the Panthers sent the blitz 24 times in the game — the most by any team this season.
“It’s a tremendous testament to those players in that locker room,” Eagles coach Doug Pederson said. “I told them tonight after the game I haven’t been part of a team that has battled through so much injury and adversity to be in the first month of the season, month and a half of the season, the resiliency of the football team started to show last year at the end of the year. They’re learning from last year. They’re learning how to finish games and just the overall consistency from the leaders leading this football team. They are sacrificing each other- themselves for the football team. It’s a fun thing to watch.”
After struggling to cope with the Panthers’ pressure early on, Carson Wentz went 5-of-6 for 86 yards and a TD against the blitz on the Eagles’ last four drives. Bob Donnan/USA Today Sports
Wentz went just 3-of-15 for 35 yards with two sacks against the blitz on his first nine drives. Then he figured it out, going 5-of-6 for 86 yards with a TD and no takedowns on the final four series. And, despite being popped and twisted along the way, he tossed three touchdowns with no interceptions in a performance that earned further respect from his teammates.
The 22nd game of Wentz’s NFL career proved to be one of the most challenging. The whole scene contrasted so sharply from last week’s 34-7 trouncing of the Arizona Cardinals, where everything this Eagles team did seemed so effortless. This one was more like a cage match, with just about every yard coming at a cost. Difficult as it proved to be, the win revealed how much this quarterback and team have grown over the course of the last year-plus. It is an experience that should serve them well as they try to shift from a promising upstart team to playoff contenders.
“We stayed together the whole game. They did some good things defensively, some different pressure looks that we haven’t seen. That’s tough on a short week,” Wentz said. “But we found a way to win a close ballgame. That’s ultimately what we struggled with last year: winning on the road and winning close ballgames. And we’ve done that successfully in these first six games.
“Having a year together with this team, under Coach [Doug Pederson], myself, everything, we’re just built differently. We have a different character makeup in that locker room, and we just have a bunch of guys that believe that no matter the situation we can find a way to win a ballgame.
“It feels great,” Wentz added. “That was hard fought win, on the road, on a short week, on prime-time TV. So to come out of it 5-1 and to know that we’re at home the next couple of weeks, that’s big for us.”
FRISCO, Texas — While Jerry Jones told Dallas Cowboys players in a meeting Wednesday that they must stand for the national anthem to show respect for the flag, coach Jason Garrett said the intention of the session came from the owner’s “love, admiration and respect for the players.”
After telling reporters Sunday that a player would be benched if he did not stand for the anthem, Jones again made that point to the Cowboys’ players Wednesday, adding context as to why it is important they stand.
In addition to Jones’ personal beliefs, a source said Jones mentioned television ratings and sponsorships that ultimately affect the players as well. According to Garrett, Jones wanted to provide the players, “some avenues to help make the impact of the issues that we’re most concerned about.”
“He’s very sensitive to some of the issues, as we all are, that the players are talking about,” Garrett said. “We all want to make an impact, and he’s someone that can help the players do that. He wanted to make sure they knew that.”
Representatives from the NFL players’ union will be involved when the subject of the national anthem is broached at next week’s NFL owners meeting.
Buccaneers defensive tackle Gerald McCoy told ESPN’s Adam Schefter that there will be a negative reaction from players if the NFL forces them to stand during the national anthem.
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Dak Prescott said Wednesday night that the meeting went well.
“I mean we ironed out everything that we needed at this time,” Prescott said.
Prior to their Sept. 25 game at the Arizona Cardinals, the Cowboys followed Jones’ lead in locking arms during pre-game introductions, taking a knee before the anthem and then standing arm in arm during the anthem.
In two games since, the Cowboys have stood for the anthem like they always have. Defensive linemen Damontre Moore and David Irving raised their fists at the end of the anthem prior to the Green Bay game. Garrett spoke to both players Monday and said neither would be disciplined.
Speaking on 105.3 The Fan in Dallas on Tuesday, Jones said the players could still show a sign of protest as long as it was before the anthem.
“There’s no question that it’s a complex issue, and that’s why it continues to be in the forefront in a lot of ways,” Garrett said. “I think the biggest thing that we’ve tried to emphasize to our players is, the goal is to make an impact in the community. The goal is to make an impact on what the issues are. I think it’s important to identify the issues and identify the way you can make an impact. I think that was part of Mr. Jones’ message yesterday.”
The Cowboys are holding their final practice of the bye week and will return to The Star next Tuesday. Garrett said the timing of the bye allowed the Cowboys more time to discuss the issue, but when the team returns to practice, the focus needs to be on football.
“I think like a lot of things in life, a lot of people say, ‘just focus on football,'” Garrett said. “But as we all know in our lives, there’s a lot of other things going on in our lives. So, sometimes as a player, a coach, as a football team, you have to focus on this particular thing to address it, to solve it, to move on, so you can get back to the business of football. And that happens with our players and our coaches each and every day — situations they have with their families, whether they’re health concerns or some of the off-field issues that we all deal with in our lives.
“Sometimes you have to focus on those things so you can get back to the business of focusing on football. I think our team’s done a really good job on that.”
Our NFL Insiders predict Week 6’s biggest upsets and fantasy flops and sleepers. Plus: Should Pittsburgh fans be worried about Ben Roethlisberger? Are the Packers the best one-loss team?
What’s your top upset pick for Week 6?
Matt Bowen, NFL writer: Rams over Jaguars. That Jacksonville secondary is nasty. Jalen Ramsey and A.J. Bouye will challenge every throw from Jared Goff; they’re physical cornerbacks with ball skills. However, can the Rams lean on a high-volume day from Todd Gurley and take some calculated shots up the seam versus the Jags’ Cover 3 shell? The team that controls the tempo wins this one. And I’ll go with the Rams to hold on for a victory in a low-scoring affair.
Dan Graziano, NFL writer: Bears over Ravens. Look, this is a tough week to pick an upset. There aren’t really any that I like, except for a couple that I think would be too close to count here. (Rams in Jacksonville, maybe, or Lions in New Orleans, if Matthew Stafford is healthy.) So give me some Mitchell Trubisky on the road in Baltimore. I just don’t think the Ravens’ offense is capable of scoring consistently week to week. I think the Bears have been close in some tough losses, and they have a win over the Steelers, who dominated the Ravens in Baltimore in Week 4. It’s a flier, but this is the week for a flier. Gimme da Bears.
Aaron Schatz, editor-in-chief of Football Outsiders: Lions over Saints. Detroit is a surprising No. 8 in the Football Outsiders DVOA ratings through five weeks, and New Orleans is a surprising No. 9. But compared to last season and the talent level on the roster, the Detroit offense is underperforming a little bit and the New Orleans defense is overperforming. It’s certainly easy to imagine a scenario where Matthew Stafford engineers another fourth-quarter comeback, even on the road, against the holes in the Saints’ defense.
Mike Sando, senior NFL writer: Steelers over Chiefs. The Steelers intrigue me as a capable team that has underperformed and now must refocus to win on the road against a 5-0 Chiefs team. Injuries to Travis Kelce and Justin Houston are factoring into my thinking that Pittsburgh might be able to win a hard-fought game. Of course, the Chiefs could just as easily win by two touchdowns.
Field Yates, NFL Insider: Chargers over Raiders. There are some games that feel just too imbalanced to project an upset — i.e. the Browns over the Texans — so let’s stick with this one, noting a caveat: I believe there is a legitimate shot that Derek Carr plays in Week 6, and I also believe the Chargers can get the job done in an upset. Los Angeles’ defensive line is one of the most dominant in the NFL. The Raiders have an established, veteran offensive line but the early-season struggles are apparent. They’ve allowed 12 sacks through five games after a league-low 18 last season, and are 23rd in rushing yards per game after finishing sixth in the same category last year. Look for L.A. to make it two straight road wins.
Ben Roethlisberger threw a career-high five interceptions against the Jaguars last week. Philip G. Pavely/USA TODAY Sports
Graziano: Roethlisberger, because his team is the one of which the most was expected. There seem to be some problems bubbling up behind the scenes in Pittsburgh that have a lot to do with him, his relationships with his wideouts, his choices within the game plan, etc. The Steelers have no excuse not to run away with an otherwise weak AFC North, but the performance by Roethlisberger and the offense early in the season has raised legitimate questions about whether they will.
Schatz: Roethlisberger is surrounded by the most talent, which is why there are more questions about his struggles than the others. He has a solid offensive line, and maybe the best wide receiver and best (healthy) running back in the game. Palmer’s and Manning’s performances are less concerning only because they are less surprising; both look very similar to a year ago. Rivers is fine, still easily above average according to Football Outsiders metrics.
Sando: I don’t find any of their performances all that worrisome. Manning, Rivers and Palmer need more support. We know who they are, and who they’re not. Roethlisberger is the best of the bunch and needs to play better. Presumably, he will.
Yates: It’s Roethlisberger, given his supporting cast. The offensive line is a tenured and cohesive group that has standout players, his receivers are highlighted by arguably the best in the game with Brown and Le’Veon Bell is a game-changer. It’s difficult to pinpoint why Roethlisberger’s most recent struggles (six interceptions in his past two games and just one touchdown) have occurred. Pittsburgh has a tough test to get on track as it faces the league’s best team, Kansas City, this week.
Who’s your pick to be the biggest fantasy flop this weekend?
Bowen: Wayne Gallman and Orleans Darkwa, RBs, Giants. Given the number of injuries to the Giants wide receiver corps, fantasy managers would expect New York to run the football Sunday night. But there has been very little daylight for running backs this season against the Broncos. Denver leads the NFL, giving up an average of just 14.4 fantasy points per game to opposing backs.
Graziano: Lamar Miller, RB, Texans. The Browns are the second-best run defense in the league in yards per attempt per rush, allowing only 2.9. (the Broncos are the best at 2.4) There’s always a risk that a running back could rack up points against the Browns in the second half because he’ll probably be playing with a lead, but the Browns’ defensive front is actually something of a relatively quiet strength of their team.
Schatz: Lamar Miller, RB, Texans. You might think it’s easy to rack up rushing totals against Cleveland because the Browns are always losing and their opponents are always killing the clock. But the Browns are actually third in run defense DVOA (compared to 31st in pass defense) and allow fewer fantasy points to running backs than the average defense this season.
Sando: Jared Goff, QB, Rams. Goff was my choice in Week 5 and I’ll stick with him heading into a road matchup with the Jaguars. His overall trajectory is up, but these are a couple of difficult matchups for him following a fast start.
Yates: Mike Evans, WR, Buccaneers. By no means am I benching him, but let’s not overlook the matchup Evans draws this week against Arizona. Cornerback Patrick Peterson has been remarkable, holding primary duties in slowing down Marvin Jones Jr., T.Y. Hilton, Dez Bryant, Pierre Garcon and Alshon Jeffery to a combined total of 13 catches, 135 yards and two touchdowns in five games this season. Evans will have his hands full in Week 6.
The Packers’ only loss so far this season was on the road in Atlanta. AP Photo/Mike Roemer
Rank these one-loss teams: Panthers, Eagles, Packers, Broncos and Falcons
Graziano: 1. Panthers; 2. Broncos; 3. Packers; 4. Falcons; 5. Eagles. I love what Carolina is doing on offense with personnel groupings and its ability to change the game plan relative to the opponent and situation. Christian McCaffrey hasn’t put up numbers yet, but you can see the way he affects a defense’s attention and allows the Panthers to mix things up. They’re also fearsome on defense.
Schatz: 1. Packers; 2. Eagles; 3. Falcons; 4. Panthers; 5. Broncos. The Packers looked like the best of these teams going into the season, and only the Eagles have been better if we look only at 2017 data.
Sando: 1. Packers; 2. Falcons; 3. Broncos; 4. Panthers; 5. Eagles. Green Bay has the NFL’s best quarterback, possibly by a wide margin. I don’t see huge gaps between the others.
Yates: 1. Packers; 2. Broncos; 3. Panthers; 4. Eagles; 5. Falcons. The brilliance of Rodgers needs no explanation, with the balance of the offense through the running game making this Green Bay offense arguably the league’s best.
Pick a fringe fantasy player who should be started in Week 6.
Bowen: Elijah McGuire, RB, Jets. With Bilal Powell banged up and Matt Forte still working through an injury, McGuire is a solid play this week. The Jets running back is averaging 5.2 yards per carry on a limited workload (34 carries), but I like the matchup against a Patriots defense that is giving up an average of 30.0 fantasy points per game to opposing backs (the worst in the NFL).
Schatz: George Kittle, TE, 49ers. So far, the one position that’s getting plenty of receptions against the Washington defense is tight end. Fifth-round rookie Kittle is on the rise in San Francisco. That seems like a great combination to me.
Sando: Will Fuller V, WR, Texans. Fuller gets a crack at the Browns’ secondary. That’s a favorable matchup anyway, especially with coach Bill O’Brien seeming to keep the accelerator pressed whether Houston is leading or trailing.
Yates: Taylor Gabriel, WR, Falcons. If Mohamed Sanu sits this week, I’d roll the dice on Gabriel. The Falcons return from their bye to face a Miami team that has yet to track down an interception this season. Gabriel has the kind of speed that can make him a factor with just one play; he has a shot at a half-dozen targets if Sanu sits and is on the flex radar in a deeper league.
CHICAGO — Bears coach John Fox said the team has complete confidence in quarterback Mitchell Trubisky, even after the rookie committed a pair of costly turnovers in Monday night’s 20-17 loss to the Minnesota Vikings.
“I think our guys feel it. They feel his presence,” Fox said.
Trubisky’s performance was inconsistent in his highly anticipated NFL debut.
Mitchell Trubisky finished the game 12-of-25 passing for 128 yards, one touchdown and one interception — a 60.1 quarterback rating — in his first start for the Bears on Monday night. Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports
The Bears tried to capitalize on Trubisky’s mobility. Eight of Trubisky’s 25 pass attempts came outside the pocket, according to ESPN Stats & Information. Trubisky’s predecessor, Mike Glennon, had four such throws in four games before Fox switched quarterbacks in the wake of Week 4’s blowout defeat to the Green Bay Packers.
“We were able to do some things with him as far as attacking the corner,” Fox said. “Those things will grow with time. For a first outing, I thought he was really good. I know his teammates feel the same way. He’ll just get better with time.”
However, Trubisky was responsible for a late fourth-quarter interception that set up Minnesota’s game-winning 26-yard field goal.
“That was basically me trying to do too much, trying to make a play when I just need to know the situation — throw the ball away and play another down,” Trubisky said.
The rookie finished the game 12-of-25 passing for 128 yards, 1 touchdown and 1 interception — a 60.1 quarterback rating.
Trubisky was just 6-of-16 passing on second and third down, with seven off-target throws, according to ESPN Stats & Information.
“I just have to do a better job of taking care of the football,” Trubisky said. “We need to work on the little things, really.”
Still, Fox said Trubisky’s positives outweighed the negatives.
“He’s got what it takes,” Fox said. “There’s no doubt in my mind. For a first game, I go back to watching guys like Joe Montana in his first game. I’ve seen a few of them. I’m not making comparisons at this point, but he will do nothing but get better.”
