Week 4 at Miami Dolphins
Carson Wentz gutted out a pair of sprained ankles against the Titans last week, but was limited to just 194 yards on 37 pass attempts. Wentz doesn’t look healthy and the Colts’ offense is struggling, so fantasy managers should steer clear of this situation. That goes double if Wentz misses time and managers try to get cute by buying Jacob Eason or Brett Hundley. Hold off and leave all the Colts’ quarterbacks on waivers.
Week 2 vs. Los Angeles Rams
Carson Wentz had a nice enough start to his Colts tenure, despite opening the season with a loss to the Seahawks. He threw for 251 yards and a pair of touchdowns, adding 23 yards on the ground. He did lose a fumble, but had no interceptions and moved the ball pretty well down the field. The Colts ran the ball 26 times, which should be a good strategy for the offense moving forward and should help Wentz’s efficiency.
This week, Wentz has a rough matchup against a tough Rams defense that thumped the Bears in Week 1 and were ranked number one in aFPA to opposing quarterbacks last season. While I like the start for Wentz as a viable fantasy option, this isn’t the week to start him. Even in 2QB formats, look elsewhere if you can in a tough matchup.
Week 1 vs. Seattle Seahawks
Carson Wentz has what looks like a great Week 1 matchup against the Seahawks, but on probably a run-first team, with limited healthy pass-catching options, fantasy managers should take a wait-and-see approach with Wentz. Not to mention the fact that he wasn’t even expected to be healthy enough for Week 1 just a short time ago. Sit him.
Fantasy Upside
Carson Wentz lost his job to Jalen Hurts last year and now re-unites with former offensive coordinator Frank Reich in Indianapolis. Wentz was awful last season, throwing 16 touchdowns and 15 interceptions in 12 games. However, fantasy owners should be careful completely disregarding Wentz. His career averages per game are 247.2 yards, 1.67 touchdowns and 0.73 interceptions. That equates to QB2 numbers if he doesn’t get any better. True, last year was a disaster, but it’s worth noting he had a pretty awful supporting cast. This year, he gets to go back to life with Reich – who was the offensive coordinator during Wentz’s fantastic 2017 season – and will get a very good offensive line and several solid targets to work with. The Colts don’t exactly rival the Buccaneers with pass-catchers, but T.Y. Hilton can still play, and Michael Pittman Jr. has at least as much promise as Jalen Reagor.
Fantasy Downside
Wentz was bad enough last year, he might just be done. He looks timid in the pocket and like he doesn’t trust himself anymore. He also has struggled to stay healthy at certain points in his career and doesn’t seem to know how to protect himself in the pocket or when he scrambles out of it. That leads to big hits. Wentz shouldn’t deal with too much controversy on the depth chart and should have a reasonably long leash, but it’s not completely out of the question that we’ll see last year’s fourth-round pick Jacob Eason get a chance if Wentz struggles enough.
2021 Bottom Line
Wentz is a nice risk-reward option as a QB2. He’s available in the late-12th round of redraft leagues right now and has a wide range of outcomes that includes QB1 potential. Wentz has value as a backup to a stud picked early on, or a tandem pick to a late-round gamble. He has a high floor while healthy and starting given the offense he’s in and his affordability makes him attractive for bargain-shoppers.
Week 13 at Green Bay
A better effort by Carson Wentz (only one interception and that was more on his tight end than himself), but still not even close to where he was last season. He completed only 56% of his passes which has been a trend this season.
Wentz will face the Packers at Lambeau. Green Bay is ranked eighth in aFPA to quarterbacks. Although we keep waiting for Wentz to turn the corner, it definitely won't happen this week.
Keep Wentz on the bench for Week 13. In fact, it is sort of a surprise if he is still on your roster at this point. Too much disappointment from him in 2020.
Week 12 vs. Seattle
Another multi-interception game for Carson Wentz has the natives restless in Philadelphia. Coach Doug Pederson said he has no plans benching Wentz, but that might end up being a week-by-week decision. On a positive note, Wentz completed 60% of his passes for the first time since Week 4. However, that's not saying much.
Wentz will face one of the worst pass defenses in the league. Seattle ranks 31st in aFPA to quarterbacks. If Wentz can't fix things with the favorable matchup, it might be time to throw in the towel if he still your quarterback at this point.
Keep Wentz on the bench for Week 12. The quarterback is a disaster right now and until he fixes some things, he isn't reliable, even against a bad pass defense.
Week 11 at Cleveland
The national media is slamming Carson Wentz, but the team seems still behind him 100%. The numbers were ugly again last week against the Giants. He now has five straight games completing less than 60% of his passes. He only threw for 208 yards and did not throw a touchdown pass for the first time since Week 2. Wentz's accuracy has been in question and the completion percentage is a good example of his struggles.
Wentz has a good opportunity to get on track against a Cleveland defense who is ranked 26th in aFPA to quarterbacks. Philly has gotten some key players back over the past couple of weeks including receivers and offensive lineman. But Wentz has still struggled.
Keep Wentz on the bench as a high-end QB2. Even with the great matchup, we need to see Wentz get his mojo back and that hasn't happened yet. Until he actually gets out of this funk, it's hard to have confidence in him.
Week 10 at New York Giants
Carson Wentz struggled against Dallas the week before the bye. He threw for only 123 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. That makes 12 interceptions on the year. Wentz will get some help this week as RB Miles Sanders and WR Alshon Jeffery are slated to return to the field. That doesn't guarantee Wentz will get back to the form he showed last week.
Wentz will face the Giants who are ranked 18th in aFPA to quarterbacks. Three weeks ago, he threw for 359 yards and two scores in a win over New York. Throughout his career, he has played well against the Giants
Start Wentz for Week 10 as a low-end QB1. He needs to stop the picks, but we do like the matchup and the fact he is getting back some key offensive weapons.
Week 8 vs. Dallas
Carson Wentz recorded his first 300+ passing yard game of the season and for the second straight game accounted for three touchdowns. His rushing touchdown total is at five right now which might be a little surprising considering he had only three total in the previous four seasons. He did throw his 10th interception of the season which has been alarming all season long.
Wentz now faces a Cowboys defense that is struggling. Dallas is ranked 21st in aFPA to quarterbacks. The Eagles have struggled with injuires with both tight ends out and now DeSean Jackson is on the shelf again. Rookie Jalen Reagor is expected to return this week which should help the Philly passing game
We love the matchup this week so start Wentz as a solid QB1 against Dallas. This is more about where Dallas is right now although the Eagles offense is healing and Wentz has plenty of room to improve.
Week 7 vs. New York Giants
Carson Wentz only completed 53% of his passes on Sunday, a season-low. He was without starting tight end Zach Ertz and lost RB Miles Sanders as well. Both will miss multiple games which will be a big blow to Wentz and the Eagles offense. Despite the low percentage rate, his numbers weren't bad against Baltimore with 213 passing yards, 49 rushing yards and three total touchdowns (2 passing, 1 rushing)
Wentz has a short week and will be matched up against the Giants who are eighth in aFPA to quarterbacks. He has had good success against his division rival and actually hasn't thrown an interception against New York since 2016, his rookie year.
With a tough matchup and missing both tight ends and his running back, it would be safe to keep Wentz on the bench for Week 7. He only rates an RB2 and there are many other choices that will help your team.
