Philadelphia Eagles rookie quarterback Carson Wentz has wasted little time hitting the ground running to start his career in the city of brotherly love.
The numbers though his first two games are impressive: 658 passing yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. Add a veteran-like presence that has brought out comparisons to a young Ben Roethlisberger, and there are plenty of reasons for Eagles fans to be excited as they get set to host Roethlisberger and the 2-0 Pittsburgh Steelers this Sunday.
However, considering the fact that no team has been tougher on rookie quarterbacks than the Steelers since Roethlisberger’s rookie season in 2004, that enthusiasm over Wentz might be tempered for at least one week.
The Steelers have won 19 of their past 21 games when they’ve faced a rookie quarterback, and, though Wentz looks like he might be the real deal, there are plenty of reasons to think the Steelers can make it 20 wins in 22 tries.
Here’s some ways to the Pittsburgh defense can make life tough for Wentz and push the Steelers to a 3-0 start.
Get consistent pressure on Wentz: One of the biggest issues early in the season for the Steelers’ defense has been the lack of pressure on the quarterback. Through two games, the defense has been credited with one sack, and that clearly needs to change if the Steelers’ defense wants to be Super Bowl-caliber.
Is there a better time to increase that sack total against Wentz and an Eagles offensive line that has showed early signs of being susceptible to the pass rush? Through two games, the Eagles have surrendered four sacks along with allowing plenty of pressure that has forced Wentz to rely on his feet (and take unnecessary hits) more than the team would like.
Get to Wentz, and the chances of the Eagles’ feel-good story continuing for a third-straight week will be a long shot.
Have an improved secondary continue its early-season form: Despite of the lack of sacks/pressure by the defense and doubts about the quality of the group heading into the season, the secondary has performed surprisingly well early on.
Defensive coordinator Keith Butler hasn’t been afraid to use rookie safety Sean Davis in nickel coverage packages, and, last week, fellow rookie and first-round pick Artie Burns showed some positive signs as the team’s third cornerback.
Sure, the secondary gave up some yards last week to the Bengals, but, much like last season, the group found ways to limit big plays and was particularly stingy in the red zone. If the secondary can continue its solid play again in Philly, it will bode well for a 3-0 start for the Steelers.
Chip away at Wentz’s confidence and throw the book at him: Much has been made of Wentz’s poise in his first two starts — and rightfully so. But let’s face it, the Cleveland Browns and Chicago Bears, who Philadelphia played in Weeks 1 and 2, are awful teams with poor defenses.
Now, Wentz will face a team with legitimate Super Bowl aspirations and a defense capable of making life miserable for the inexperienced rookie. Expect Butler to open things up schematically, especially with blitz packages. The Steelers went to the blitz rarely in their opening two games — that will likely change this week.
Struggles can have a snowball effect: Expectations were tempered for the Eagles when the season began, but after a 2-0 start — thanks, in no small part, to their rookie quarterback’s outstanding play — the home crowd will be electric with the Steelers in town.
If the Steelers can make like difficult for Wentz, and he struggles, it should not only sap the life out of Eagles fans but also get the young QB riding the razor’s edge in terms of confidence with home crowd.
Again, it’s one thing to ride the wave of early success against teams like the Browns and Bears. Now, Wentz will likely get his first dose of adversity as an NFL QB when he faces one of the best teams in the NFL.
It’s time to find out how he’ll respond.
Image credit: Bill Streicher/USA TODAY Sports
