The Eagles 2020 schedule was released last night, and while there are plenty of matchups for Carson Wentz to look forward to, here are the four that should light a fire under him the most:
4. Wentz v. Burrow
The Bengals start the season with the Chargers and Browns, so this week 3 matchup will see Burrow face-off with an elite QB for the first time in his career, and the NFL world will be watching intently. He’ll be playing in one of the toughest environments in football, and our front-four will be licking their chops to get after him. Meanwhile, Wentz will look to show on-lookers that he’s still the hot new thing at the QB position capable of being the best player in football.
This may not be quite the matchup that Wentz-Brees or Wentz-Roethlisberger is, but it’s an opportunity for both Burrow and Wentz to make a statement early in the season—Burrow attempting to say, “I’m here,” and Wentz trying to say, “I’m still here,” as he ideally looks to go 3-0 on the season.
3. Rodgers v. Wentz III
I almost didn’t include this but then I figured that two wins at Lambeau vs Rodgers was a pretty impressive feat. It’s hard to know how many of these matchups we have left, but Rodgers has amassed 735 passing yards in two games and Wentz threw 3 TDs in last year’s affair.
This should be a good one, and with the matchup sandwiched between games vs Seattle and New Orleans you could argue it’s a must-win for Wentz and the Birds.
2. Wentz v. Jackson
Wentz vs the reigning-MVP is about as good as it gets. Lamar is coming to the Linc and he won’t be back in a while, so Eagles fans figure to make the most of it.
There was once a time when Carson was the young QB taking the league by storm in his second season. Now that’s Lamar. If the Burrow-matchup in week 3 is a chance for Wentz to remind people that he’s still around, then this showdown with Lamar is a chance to re-assert his status among the league’s elite QBs, and possibly throw his name back in the ring for MVP.
1. Wilson v. Wentz IV
Wilson is the standard-bearer in the NFL as far as the QB position goes—nobody elevates their team more, and no other passer is as consistently elite as he is. With Wilson being 5-0 in his career vs Philly and 3-0 vs Wentz, this matchup should be somewhat of a ‘monkey on the back’ for Wentz (4 TDs, 5 INTs vs SEA) and the team as a whole.
The road to the Super Bowl in the NFC has generally gone through Seattle in the past few seasons, and with Brees and Rodgers nearing the end this is a perfect chance for Wentz to cement his status as the second best quarterback in the conference.
Honorable Mention: Brees v. Wentz II ; Roethlisberger v. Wentz II
Brees is 40 and over the hill, Wentz already took down Big Ben in his rookie debut—these matchups just don’t excite me like the other three.
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