Week 6 vs. Baltimore
There are reasons for optimism, as Carson Wentz looked better last week in Pittsburgh, but his numbers are still something to be concerned about. Two more interceptions to go with two touchdown passes and a 57% completion rate are red flags that we have seen most of this season. He was also sacked five times and pressured by the Steelers which is more a result of his offensive line still banged up.
Wentz will not have much better luck this week facing the Ravens defense that is ranked 15th in aFPA to quarterbacks. That number is skewed a little bit and if you look at last week, Baltimore shut down red-hot rookie Joe Burrow.
Wentz is a bench player again for Week 6 as he ranks as low-end QB2. Until his offensive line gets better and he stops turning the ball over, we will not have much confidence in him in a fantasy lineup.
Week 5 at Pittsburgh
It wasn't pretty but Carson Wentz did help get his team a win. His fantasy numbers still are subpar with 193 passing yards, one touchdown throw and one interception. He did score a rushing touchdown to help his cause. Part of the problem is the offensive line is in really bad shape. At one point last week, they only had one starter on the field. If they don't get healthy, Wentz and the Eagles offense will continue to struggle.
The Steelers are up next and although their defense is considered one of the NFL's best, they only rank 27th in aFPA to quarterbacks. The run defense has been very good so teams have had to throw more and also play from behind.
If you drafted Wentz as a starter this season, it was a wasted pick. He is at best a QB2 right now and this week, he isn't even that. Keep Wentz on the bench for Week 5 in all leagues and formats.
Week 4 at San Francisco
The Eagles are still winless and part of the reason has been the ineffectiveness of Carson Wentz. Six interceptions in three games is alarming and many are coming in the red zone. His completion rate is down and he is averaging about 43 pass attempts per game. He is forcing the ball because of game situations and his numbers are suffering.
It won't get much easier this week against the Niners. San Fran is ranked 15th in aFPA to quarterbacks, but the defense is still very good. Going to the West Coast will be a challenge for the Eagles offense.
Some people were rating Wentz as a top 10 quarterback coming into the season, but right now he barely ranks a QB2. We thought he would break out last week at home against the Bengals, but it was more of the same. Keep Wentz on the bench and you might be looking to the waiver wire soon for an upgrade.
Week 3 vs. Cincinnati
Carson Wentz has had two sub-par games throwing only two touchdown passes and four interceptions. The result has been two losses for Philadelphia. The decision making has been questionable including some red zone turnovers. Plenty of whispers in Philly about Wentz even losing his job, but that's premature.
The Bengals are the next opponent and are 28th in aFPA to quarterbacks. Cincy might have an exciting offense, but the defense is still not very good. This is a chance for Wentz to turn things around and get back on track throwing the football.
Even with the good matchup, we are very cautious with where Wentz is at this point. Despite being at home, we recommend keeping him on the bench as he only rates a QB2 for Week 3. He has to have a game that gives owners something to be confident again.
Week 2 vs Los Angeles Rams
Carson Wentz had a rough start to the 2020 season. The Eagles lost and Wentz threw for 270 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. He played okay in the first half and got the Eagles a 17-0 lead but disappeared in the second half.
The Eagles will face the Rams who are eighth in aFPA to quarterbacks. Los Angeles looked good last week and with Jalen Ramsey in the secondary, the defense is a lot tougher on quarterbacks.
Wentz will get two key players back on offense including his left tackle and starting running back. But that's not enough to push him up the rankings. Keep Wentz on the bench for Week 2 as a QB2. The matchup is tough and even though the Eagles are back home, the offense has some things to prove early in the year.
Week 1 at Washington
Carson Wentz threw for over 4,000 yards last season and that was with his top two wide receivers hurt for a lot of the season. More important was the fact he played in all 16 games for the Eagles. He will have more opportunities this season because he will have more weapons if they can stay healthy.
The Eagles open with division rival Washington. They were ranked 26th in aFPA to quarterbacks last season. Wentz threw for 6 touchdowns and zero picks in the two meetings so this is a very favorable matchup for him.
If you drafted Wentz, you probably did as a backup, but this would be a great week to start him as he ranks a low-end QB1. The matchup and healthy lineup to start the season push him to that ranking.
Fantasy Upside
Carson Wentz played every game last season which was the first time he has done that since his rookie season in 2016. He eclipsed the 4,000 yard mark for the first time in his career and threw 27 touchdown passes with only seven interceptions. All of this was done with a makeshift wide receiver corp and an ineffective running game. No Eagles wide receiver reached 500 receiving yards. He should get some of those veterans back and both tight ends that were the soul of the passing game - Zach Ertz and Dallas Goedert both return. The Eagles also helped Wentz by drafting WR Jalen Reagor in the first round.
Fantasy Downside
Despite staying healthy last season, Wentz still has the stigma of being injury-prone. The receivers are still an issue, even with the acquisition of Reagor, and with DeSean Jackson (33) and Alshon Jeffrey (30) getting up there in age. The Eagles must also be more effective running the football and that is still a question mark.
2020 Bottom Line
Wentz is ranked as a low-end QB1 heading into the 2020 season. He takes care of the football and his two tight ends rank in the top 10 at the position in the NFL. Wentz has been going in drafts around the seventh or eighth round which is about where he ranks in fantasy. He is a borderline top-10 quarterback and good enough to be your No. 1 quarterback without having to spend a high draft pick.
Week 17 at New York Giants
Carson Wentz was solid in the win over Dallas throwing for 319 yards and a touchdown. It was his fifth 300+ passing yardage game and his third in the last four weeks. He is playing his best football right now despite a ton of adversity.
Wentz faces the Giants who are 30th in aFPA to quarterbacks, Three weeks ago, Wentz threw for 325 yards and two touchdowns against New York. The Giants were torched by a poor Washington passing game last week.
Since this is basically a playoff game for the Eagles, we expect another big game for Wentz. Start him as a low-end QB1 for Week 17.
Week 16 vs Dallas
Carson Wentz was over the 40 pass attempt mark again and his numbers this past week were very good with 266 passing yards and three touchdown passes. He did lose another fumble, his seventh of the season. Wentz is doing well despite having zero experience at the wide receiver position and that will continue.
Wentz has a favorable matchup this week against Dallas who is 24th in aFPA to quarterbacks. He will try to make up for his poor performance against the Cowboys back in Week 7 in which he turned the ball over three times.
Even though the Cowboys defense has been suspect against the pass at times, Wentz has been inconsistent and the injuries have hurt the Eagles overall. Wentz only ranks a QB2 for Week 16 so keep him on the bench.
Week 14 vs New York Giants
There has been plenty of criticism of Carson Wentz over the past three weeks that have seen the Birds lose three straight. Philly has not been healthy and Wentz has turned the ball over too much. This past week, his fantasy numbers weren't bad as he threw for 310 yards and three touchdowns. He did throw one interception, but didn't lose any fumbles, something that has been an issue.
Wentz will face division-rival New York for the first time this season. The Giants are ranked 21st in aFPA to quarterbacks in 2019. Last year, Wentz averaged 257 passing yards in the two games against the G-Men and threw four touchdown passes without a pick.
This is a good place for the Eagles and Wentz to right the ship. Start him as a solid QB1 in all leagues and formats.
