Philadelphia Eagles Must Convert on Big Play Opportunities

The Philadelphia Eagles offense showed promise in the passing game, but the ability to convert on the deep ball remains an issue for Carson Wentz.

After last week`s victory over the Washington Redskins, there were many positives to point out on the offensive side of the ball for the Philadelphia Eagles. Carson Wentz was nearly perfect on his intermediate throws. Also, when given the opportunities, LeGarrette Blount was very solid on first and second down when running it from under center.

From viewing the game on Sunday, and from re-watching the coaches’ film a few days after, one of the major things that stood out was Carson Wentz missing on big play opportunities. There were at least five plays where a better throw could have possibly broken this game open and led to an even better offensive performance on Sunday.

Missed Big Plays

This was evident on the very first offensive play of the game; where Torrey Smith had Josh Norman beat in a one on one situation and Carson Wentz under threw him. A longer throw would have possibly given the Philadelphia Eagles a quick strike on the first play of the season. Going back and looking at the play again, it was seen that Carson Wentz had a very clean pocket that he stepped up into, but Carson Wentz just under threw Torrey Smith on that one.

Another missed opportunity took us to the end of the first half with 1:17 remaining, the Eagles where driving down the field for what would be a go ahead field goal. Nelson Agholor was running down the middle of the field in a one on one situation, where he for sure would have out ran his man given, the opportunity to do so. Carson Wentz did not step into this throw and under thew it. If he made a higher, longer pass, Nelson Agholor very likely converts on that one.

With the Eagles taking one last shot to the end zone prior to kicking a field goal to end the half, Carson Wentz had Alshon Jeffery split out wide to the left in a one on one match up with no safety help over the top. This sounds like a perfect play to throw it up and let Alshon Jeffery go and get it, which is his specialty. On this play however, Carson Wentz slightly under throws Jeffery. If the ball is thrown just a tad higher, it allows Jeffery to go up, high point it, and possibly make the catch.

So after all of this, it is obvious that the Philadelphia Eagles have the personnel to make the big plays. From Torrey Smith and Nelson Agholor’s speed to Alshon Jeffery’s ball skills. The pieces are most certainly there and the big play looks will come in bunches. This is something the Eagles did not have last season.

It is not like there were absolutely no big plays in the game. There was obviously the throw to Nelson Agholor on the third offensive play of the game but granted that did come off a bit of improvisation. Carson Wentz has shown that he can improvise and make big plays, but if he can do that in addition to making the big plays when the plays don`t break down, then he will be in business.

If Carson Wentz can hone in and make the big plays when the opportunities present themselves, then this Philadelphia Eagles offense can really take it to the next level. Add this to the fact that Carson Wentz is money on intermediate routes and the Philadelphia Eagles can really develop a potent passing offense.