Yesterday the official 2022 NFL schedule was released. Though the Eagles knew they would meet the Commanders twice this year, it’s happening much sooner than expected.
Philadelphia will travel to Washington (Landover, MD) in Week 3 as former Eagles’ quarterback Carson Wentz faces off against some familiar faces. This comes two weeks after Wentz will play the Jacksonville Jaguars, under new head coach Doug Pederson, in Washington’s home opener.
THE CARSON WENTZ REUNION TOUR
Eagles fans will undoubtedly travel down the turnpike to watch Wentz, as he faces his Philadelphia replacement, quarterback Jalen Hurts.
Last season both quarterbacks played similarly, leading their respective teams to a 9-8 season. However, Wentz, then with the Indianapolis Colts, failed to advance to the playoffs.
Wentz’s time with the Colts finished with 322 completions for 3,563 passing yards and 27 touchdowns. He also rushed for 215 yards and one touchdown. With four less professional years under his belt, Hurts finished with 265 completions for 3,144 passing yards and 16 touchdowns. Hurts also ran for a whopping 784 rushing yards (the most on the Eagles) and ten touchdowns.
- Wentz: Total Yards = 3,778, Total Touchdowns = 28
- Hurts: Total Yards = 3,928, Total Touchdowns = 26
Despite their comparable stats, their games played out much differently. Wentz led the Colts with a strong start to the season, succumbing to sack issues and the inability to get the ball into his teammates’ hands. Hurts took the Eagles through four consecutive losses before establishing a leading rush game due to his inability to see his targets down the field.
Regardless of their 2021 performance, both quarterbacks have something to prove this time around.
After their Week 3 face-off, they will meet again in Week 10, this time in Philadelphia. The game will be played on Monday Night Football on November 14.
“I know that’ll be a big game,” Wentz said. “A lot of emotions. I’m sure fans will eat that one up and it’ll be fun — make for a good storyline. But at the end of the day, it’s going to be just another ballgame. It’s going to be a huge divisional game for us when that one comes. So I’m excited for it, but at the same time, I’m trying not to get too excited for that one, because, again, it’s just football. Can’t press. Can’t do too much.”
Aside from the Eagles, Wentz will also face Doug Pederson’s Jacksonville Jaguars on September 11 and his most recent former team, the Indianapolis Colts on October 30.