5 Best quarterbacks the Steelers will face in 2020
4. Carson Wentz
Philadelphia Eagles
Still amused by the Philadelphia Eagles decision to draft their backup QB with their second-round pick, the sense of it can sort of be argued when talking about QB Carson Wentz. The 2016 second-overall selection, Wentz, has had an arduous journey in the NFL. A torn ACL & LCL, back vertebral fracture, and chest rib fracture all causing him to miss time, it certainly limits the confidence in whether he will be healthy for a full season.
A leading MVP candidate at one point in 2017, what Wentz was able to do last year with the team around him was an accomplishment of his own that will get overlooked. There were stretches of his 2019 season that were nothing to brag about, but aided by elite OL production, rookie RB Miles Sanders, a great TE duo of Zack Ertz & Dallas Goedert, plus the offensive mind of HC Doug Pederson, Wentz led the Eagles to a 4-0 finish against the NFC East sending them to the playoffs.
Although the division may have been the worst in the NFL last year, Wentz performed at his best throwing seven touchdowns with no interceptions, and 285+ passing yards or more in 3 of his final four contests. Attempting 40 or more passes in each of these games, something he didn’t do at any other point the season, Philly leaned on him heavily to close the season out.
Now the Steelers haven’t matched up against Philly & Carson since he was a rookie in 2016. An ugly game for Pittsburgh to begin the season, as the Eagles would win 34-3 at Lincoln Financial Field, the mix of that defense plus Wentz throwing for 301 yards & two touchdowns on a 74 completion rate was a recipe not to take lightly.
Hoping to revamp offensively, as the Eagles drafted three WRs in the 2020 draft including Jalen Reagor, Wentz is a mobile threat with a great foundation in place to succeed that the Steelers will match up against just a week after they play the Titans. A revenge game for Pittsburgh and the bragging rights of who reigns supreme in the state of Pennsylvania, Wentz & his crew will surely be ready as they attempt to march into Heinz Field.