CHICAGO (AP) Carson Wentz followed an impressive NFL debut with another solid performance, throwing for 190 yards and a touchdown, as the Philadelphia Eagles beat the Chicago Bears 29-14 in the NFL on Monday night.
Wentz showed plenty of poise, just as he did on debut against Cleveland.
Playing in the city where he was drafted by the Eagles with the No. 2 overall pick, he completed 21 of 34 passes and played turnover-free ball in his second straight game despite absorbing several big hits.
”Throughout the week, I just realized I’m going back to kind of where my life changed,” Wentz said. ”It was cool to be back here, especially to come out here with the win.”
Ryan Mathews ran for two scores, and the Eagles (2-0) scored a pair of touchdowns late in the third quarter to break open a two-point game.
While Philadelphia was pulling away, Chicago quarterback Jay Cutler walked to the locker room with a right thumb injury and did not return.
That was the biggest blow for the Bears (0-2), who lost several players and fell again after opening with a loss at Houston. It’s not the sort of start they envisioned in their second year under coach John Fox after finishing last in the NFC North. But they continued to struggle at home, where they were 1-7 a year ago.
Cutler, who completed 12 of 17 passes for 157 yards, went off after an interception by Nigel Bradham late in the third quarter. Cutler was seen having his right hand examined on the sideline early in the third following a strip-sack by Destiny Vaeao, though he said it happened earlier in the game.
Brian Hoyer took over for Cutler and was 9 of 12 for 78 yards.
The Eagles were leading 9-7 late in the third when Mathews bounced off the line and spun outside before lunging in for a 3-yard touchdown.
With Cutler throwing off his back foot on the next play from scrimmage, Bradham intercepted a pass apparently intended for Alshon Jeffery, who was about 10 yards behind him, at the 30 and returned it to the 2.
Wentz then hit Trey Burton with a touchdown pass to make it 22-7 with four seconds left.
”He took care of the football and made some nice, tough throws,” Eagles coach Doug Pederson said of Wentz. ”It wasn’t perfect. But at the same time, he’s seeing things really well.”
Meanwhile, Eagles safety Malcolm Jenkins and several teammates raised their right fists during the national anthem in a protest prior to their game. Jenkins said Saturday he would lead teammates in a demonstration against social injustice. Cornerback Ron Brooks and defensive end Steven Means joined him. It was not clear if another Eagles player joined in. Jenkins had insisted the protest would not be ”an anti-police thing” and that police ”are a key part of the solution in this issue.”
Eagles safety Jaylen Watkins suffered a bruised knee during the game.
For the Bears, linebacker Lamarr Houston left with a left knee injury that Fox said ”seems to be substantial.” Nose tackle Eddie Goldman was taken from the field with an ankle injury. Safety Adrian Amos and cornerback Bryce Callahan exited with concussions in the third quarter. Safety Chris Prosinski injured his right calf, and running back Ka’Deem Carey strained his hamstring.
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AP NFL website: http://www.pro32.ap.org and AP NFL Twitter feed: http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL
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