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SPORTS Thursday 26 sepTember 2019

Wentz, Eagles look to get back on track against 3-0 Packers

By KEITH JENKINS AARON WANTS MORE
AP Sports Writer Green Bay enters with the
GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — 28th-ranked offense. That’s
Only one team in the Super not good enough for the
Bowl era — the 2001 New Packers’ two-time MVP
England Patriots — started quarterback.
the season 1-3 and re- “We’ve never wanted to
bounded to win it all. just manage the football
Despite that fact, the Phila- game around here, so the
delphia Eagles (1-2) aren’t standards are very high for
panicking after back-to- us,” Aaron Rodgers said.
back losses. “We gotta play a lot better
“You know, we’re not re- on offense. We’ve played
ally looking at this as a bad some good defenses, no
spot,” Eagles quarterback doubt about it, but the
Carson Wentz said. “We’re standard and the expec-
1-2, yeah, but, you know, tations are very high here
we have a lot of the season and we haven’t met them
left. (There are) little things on offense. ... At some
here and there in each point, we can’t expect our
game that we know we’re defense to shut everybody
going to get corrected and down. They have been. But
we’re going to be in a good at some point the offense
spot. And like I said, we’re is going to have to wake
excited Thursday night to up and start making some
go show what we can do plays.”
and get going back in the DROPPED PASSES
win column.” Wentz had eight of his pass-
Wentz and the Eagles will es dropped against the Li-
head to Green Bay to face ons, including a deep ball
the Packers (3-0) for the first to J.J. Arcega-Whiteside
Thursday night meeting be- that could’ve been the
tween the two teams. go-ahead score in the final
Philadelphia lost its past minute. A week earlier, Nel-
two games by a combined son Agholor dropped what
seven points, but help is on Philadelphia Eagles’ Carson Wentz walks off the field after an NFL football game against the Detroit could’ve been a go-ahead
the way with Alshon Jeffery. Lions, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019, in Philadelphia. 60-yard TD with under two
The former Pro Bowl receiv- Associated Press minutes left in a 24-20 loss
er is expected to play after been thinking much about Andrew Sendejo on a blitz. pening and I’m hoping at Atlanta.
missing all but six snaps over his lack of scoring, as he The other was from tackle we’re on the good side of “It’s part of the game. Guys
the past two weeks with a and his wife, Devanne Vil- Tim Jernigan, who is out it. The only thing I’m worried are going to drop passes,”
calf injury. larreal, welcomed baby girl with a broken foot. Veteran about is to make sure that Wentz said. “We’re go-
“I miss it a lot, man,” Jeffery Deija Leigh Adams on Sept. Brandon Graham got $27 we don’t separate from ing to put the ball on the
said. “One or two plays, 20. million in guaranteed mon- each other, which I doubt ground. I’m going to throw
we’re still in the game. At “It’s been a lot, but now I’m ey to remain in Philly after we’ll do.” picks. We’re going to miss
the same time, it’s good to playing for a stronger pur- only getting four sacks last DEFENSE FIRST reads. Things happen. Guys
face adversity. One and pose than I was before,” season. Michael Bennett, While the Eagles are strug- make mistakes.
two is not where we want- Adams said. “So it’s a great who had nine, was traded gling to get to the passer, Any time somebody drops
ed to start, but that’s where feeling. It’s something that to New England. the Packers are having a pass or something like
we’re at. Hey, I’m up for you’ve just got to feel. It’s Chris Long, who had 6½, very few issues defensively. that, I make sure I go right
the challenge.” tough to talk about.” wasn’t brought back so Green Bay’s four intercep- up to them and tell them
WHERE’S DAVANTE? Adams has five touchdown he retired. Derek Barnett, tions and 12 sacks are each it’s coming their way the
Another receiver look- receptions in seven Thurs- a 2017 first-round pick, had tied for third most in the next time and just try to
ing to make an impact on day games, including four no hits on quarterback Mat- league. keep building them up.
Thursday is Packers wide- in his past five Thursday thew Stafford last week. Preston Smith and Za’Darius Staying positive. Again, it’s
out Davante Adams. After matchups. “I know how the sacks go,” Smith combined for eight frustrating.
grabbing a career-high 13 WHERE’S THE RUSH? Graham said. “It’s a long total tackles, six quarter- No one wants to make mis-
touchdowns last year, the The Eagles only have two season and you never back hits, five sacks and a takes but there’s nothing
two-time Pro Bowler has yet sacks in two games and know how stuff ends. forced fumble in the Pack- you can really do about it.
to cross the goal line this none from their edge rush- There’s going to be some ers’ win over the Denver Just have to keep building
season. But Adams hasn’t ers. One came from safety funny stuff that will be hap- Broncos on Sunday. those guys up.”q