Chicago Bears 3-31 Philadelphia Eagles: Carson Wentz throws three TDs in comfortable win
Monday 27 November 2017 03:57, UK
The Philadelphia Eagles dominated in every phase of the game in their 31-3 victory over the Chicago Bears, with second-year star quarterback Carson Wentz putting in another clinical performance to stay firmly in the mix for the NFL MVP.
Wentz was 23 of 36 for 227 yards and three touchdowns without a pick before Nick Foles entered the game for most of the fourth quarter.
Chicago came into this game with the fifth-ranked rushing offense, but they were smothered by an energetic Eagles defensive group. Jordan Howard and company had only six yards all day, the lowest amount given up by Philadelphia in 71 years.
They were also 12th against the run before Sunday, but Philadelphia piled up 176 yards on the ground and a whopping 420 total yards on offense compared to 140 for the visitors.
It didn’t take long for Wentz to find the endzone, as the Eagles were rewarded for their aggressive approach - they converted a fourth and one earlier in the drive - when he lofted the ball down the middle of the field for a wide-open Zach Ertz for a 17-yard TD.
Chicago couldn’t take advantage of a LeGarrette Blount fumble in Philly territory, as Cairo Santos missed a 54-yarder that could’ve kept it close early. The Eagles capitalised, as an impressive Wentz scramble set up a 15-yard touchdown to Nelson Agholor. The wideout showed off impressive open-field running skills before finding the endzone in style.
On their next drive, a short score from Alshon Jeffery completed the hat-trick for Wentz. At halftime, it was 24-0 and the Eagles had 16 first downs compared to zero for Chicago.
The second half wasn’t any different, but Chicago managed to prevent the shutout with a field goal. Agholor grabbed a second score as he dove on a loose ball after Jay Ajayi had fumbled it at the end zone, and safety Corey Graham picked off Mitch Trubisky late on to seal the deal.
The Eagles (10-1) are the first team to reach 10 wins this season and have won all of their last four games by at least 23 points. Chicago falls to 3-8 as they look to rebuild around their rookie quarterback.
Elsewhere, in the other early games in the NFL....
Panthers 35-27 Jets
Luke Kuechly returned a fumble 34 yards for a touchdown and Kaelin Clay had a 60-yard punt return for a score, capping a stunning fourth-quarter swing that lifted the Panthers to a 35-27 comeback win over the Jets (4-7).
It was the fourth straight victory for the Panthers (8-3), who are trying to keep pace with the first-place Saints in the NFC South. The teams meet next Sunday at New Orleans.
Bills 16-10 Chiefs
Bills QB Tyrod Taylor threw for 183 yards and a touchdown in his return to the starting line-up, as Buffalo (6-5) held off Kansas City (6-5) 16-10.
The Chiefs (6-5) managed only 236 yards of offense while losing for the fifth time in six games.
Dolphins 17-35 Patriots
Tom Brady threw four touchdown passes, two to tight end Rob Gronkowski, as the Patriots (9-2) cruised to their seventh-straight victory, a 35-17 rout of the Dolphins (4-7).
New England's Dion Lewis ran for 112 yards on 15 carries, the first 100-yard game of his career.
Miami quarterback Matt Moore, making his second start of the season with Jay Cutler out with a concussion, was 23 of 34 for 215 yards and two interceptions, and was sacked seven times.
Titans 20-16 Colts
Tennessee (7-4) seized a 20-16 lead with six minutes remaining on DeMarco Murray's one-yard touchdown run.
Colts quarterback Jacoby Brissett was sacked eight times as Indianapolis (3-8) produced only three second-half points and was outscored 14-3 after leading by seven at half-time.
Buccaneers 20-34 Falcons
Atlanta Falcons All-Pro wide receiver Julio Jones, who came into this game with just one touchdown, caught 12 passes for 253 yards and two scores as the Falcons (7-4) won their third game in a row, beating the Bucs (4-7).
Jones teamed with fellow wide receiver Mohamed Sanu for a 51-yard touchdown on a trick play and caught a 25-yard TD pass from quarterback Matt Ryan, who finished 26 of 35 for 317 yards and two scores.
Browns 16-31 Bengals
Rookie Joe Mixon rushed for a career-high 114 yards on 23 carries, and a touchdown, to help lift Cincinnati (5-6) over winless Cleveland (0-11).
