The two interceptions were similar.
Both passes Carson Wentz floated to rookie wide receivers near the left sideline. In both cases, the Eagles’ receiver appeared a little soft coming to the ball and a Washington cornerback jumped the route, out-muscled the receiver for the football and came away with an interception.
Both led to touchdowns.
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My bad, says Carson.
Wentz took the blame for both game-changing plays.
“I have nothing but confidence in those guys,” Wentz said Wednesday. “Now, I’ve got to make better throws, first and foremost.”
The first one, late in the second quarter, was intended for Jalen Reagor, the rookie 1st-round pick. Fabian Moreau picked it off to set up Washington’s first touchdown. The second, early in the third quarter, was intended for John Hightower, the rookie 5th-round pick. That one was picked off by Jimmy Moreland and returned 32 yards to set up Washington’s second touchdown.
NFL
It was the second time in Wentz’s career he’s thrown two INTs in the same game that started TD drives. He also did it against the Giants as a rookie in 2016.
“Those guys are out there competing their butts off,” Wentz said. “Jalen is a guy that I have a lot of respect for, a lot of excitement for right now and, hopefully, a long career together.”
Wentz indicated that the lack of practice time in the spring with Reagor and Hightower and the absence of preseason games contributed to the missed connections that really cost the Eagles the game.
“You’ve just got to get the chemistry as much as you can on the grass, and so it's the routes on air, it's taking advantage after practice or during special teams drills, those sorts of things,” he said. “A lot of it, you don't have the physical time on the field, it's just talking to them to understand, ‘Hey, this is what I saw. What are you seeing?’ And just understanding how we each see the game. And I think those reps on the field from the last game are going to be extremely valuable for (Reagor), for Hightower, for some of these young guys to continue to learn from and grow. I'm expecting big things as an offense and with those guys especially.”
Here’s a look at the last five times an Eagles quarterback threw two INTs in a game that started TD drives for the opposing team:
Carson Wentz, 2020, at Washington [27-17 loss]
Carson Wentz, 2016, at Giants [28-23 loss]
Vince Young, 2011, at Seahawks [31-14 loss]
A.J. Feeley, 2007, vs. Seahhawks [28-24 loss]
Donovan McNabb, 2005, vs. Broncos [49-21 loss]