The Philadelphia Eagles are one win away from winning the NFC East and sneaking into the playoffs with a 9-7 record. Philadelphia needed to win their last 4 games of the season to make the playoffs and the division, and after 3 straight victories, they need to defeat the 4-11 New York Giants to move on.
They have had a late season resurgence, which has been led by the dominant play from their quarterback, Carson Wentz. The former No. 2 overall pick has had his fair share of doubters this season, but after 2 game winning touchdown passes and a dominant performance against the Dallas Cowboys last week, Wentz has silenced (some) of his critics.
If there is one aspect of Wentz’s game that his critics will need to eat crow on, it is Wentz’s elite ability in the red zone (inside the 20-yard line). Scoring touchdowns when you are in the red zone is obviously important, and Wentz has excelled inside the 20 in his career. It is 1 of the 5 stats that proves Wentz is an elite NFL quarterback.
Wentz has played 55 career games and his numbers in the red zone are insane. In those 55 games, Wentz has thrown 72 touchdown passes and only 2 interceptions. Comparing his numbers to some of the greats in the NFL since 2016, you will see just how impressive Wentz has been. Tom Brady has played 59 games and has thrown 76 touchdowns and 4 interceptions, Drew Brees has played 57 games and has thrown 81 touchdowns and 5 interceptions, Aaron Rodgers has played 54 games and has 75 touchdowns and 3 interceptions, and Russell Wilson has played 63 games and thrown 83 touchdowns and 4 interceptions.
And just for fun, if you still think Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott is better than Wentz: Since 2016, Prescott has played 63 games and has thrown 54 touchdowns and 6 interceptions in the red zone, meaning in 8 less games, Wentz has thrown 18 more red zone touchdowns.
The front-runner for the NFL MVP award is Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson. In 2019, Jackson is the best quarterback in the red zone. He has thrown 24 touchdowns and 0 interceptions inside the 20 this season. The next best quarterback without an interception is Carson Wentz, with 19 touchdowns and the goose egg for interceptions. Wentz’s 19 touchdown passes in the red zone is good enough for fourth best in the NFL this season.
Arguing stats never tells the true story, but there is no debating just how good Wentz has been in the red zone in his career and in 2019. It is a big part of Philly’s success scoring points this season, especially with the injuries to the receivers. If the Eagles are going to advance to the playoffs and beat the Giants on Sunday, it will likely be because Wentz continues his dominance in the red zone.