Let’s strip away all context for a second and talk about Carson Wentz’s 2022 season thus far.
The Commanders QB is fifth in the NFL in passing yards (1,390) behind only Patrick Mahomes, Tom Brady, Justin Herbert, and Josh Allen. He’s sixth in touchdown passes (10) behind only Herbert, Jared Goff, Lamar Jackson, and again, Allen and Mahomes.
Yet, Washington is 1-4 and firmly in last place in the NFC East. In fact, Wentz’s 10 touchdown passes are leaps and bounds above the rest of his divisional peers in the Eagles’ Jalen Hurts (4), the Cowboys’ (for now) Cooper Rush (4), and the Giants’ Daniel Jones (3).
And still, Wentz and his team are otherwise abysmal and in a deep hole in the standings.
Yes, those stats are quite real, making me wonder: What gives?
Passing TDs through Week 5 in the NFC East
Carson Wentz 10
Jalen Hurts 4
Cooper Rush 4
Daniel Jones 3 pic.twitter.com/vO3LxKI55F— NFL on CBS đ (@NFLonCBS) October 12, 2022
Oh, right, it’s that whole interceptions/turnovers thing.
At the moment, Wentz is second in the NFL in thrown picks (six), behind only Matthew Stafford and Matt Ryan. He’s also been sacked 20 times. The Washington offensive line isn’t an elite unit by any means, but there’s a reason many football folks think sacks are a quarterback stat if you catch my drift.
And so, despite Wentz having some prolific numbers on paper, the Commanders are otherwise without a paddle because he manages to play the most uninspiring, backbreaking brand of football at quarterback. Ron Rivera’s been around the NFL a long time, and he definitely isn’t wrong.
The Bears are next on the Commanders and Wentz’s docket. If his recent precedent from this season (and really his entire career) says anything — the quarterback will find a way to continue putting up the emptiest numbers in a defeat.