Let’s strip away all context for a second and talk about Carson Wentz’s 2022 season thus far.
The Commanders QB is fifth in the NFL in passing yards (1,390) behind only Patrick Mahomes, Tom Brady, Justin Herbert, and Josh Allen. He’s sixth in touchdown passes (10) behind only Herbert, Jared Goff, Lamar Jackson, and again, Allen and Mahomes.
Yet, Washington is 1-4 and firmly in last place in the NFC East. In fact, Wentz’s 10 touchdown passes are leaps and bounds above the rest of his divisional peers in the Eagles’ Jalen Hurts (4), the Cowboys’ (for now) Cooper Rush (4), and the Giants’ Daniel Jones (3).
And still, Wentz and his team are otherwise abysmal and in a deep hole in the standings.
Yes, those stats are quite real, making me wonder: What gives?
Passing TDs through Week 5 in the NFC East
Carson Wentz 10
Jalen Hurts 4
Cooper Rush 4
Daniel Jones 3 pic.twitter.com/vO3LxKI55F— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) October 12, 2022
Oh, right, it’s that whole interceptions/turnovers thing.
At the moment, Wentz is second in the NFL in thrown picks (six), behind only Matthew Stafford and Matt Ryan. He’s also been sacked 20 times. The Washington offensive line isn’t an elite unit by any means, but there’s a reason many football folks think sacks are a quarterback stat if you catch my drift.
And so, despite Wentz having some prolific numbers on paper, the Commanders are otherwise without a paddle because he manages to play the most uninspiring, backbreaking brand of football at quarterback. Ron Rivera’s been around the NFL a long time, and he definitely isn’t wrong.
The Bears are next on the Commanders and Wentz’s docket. If his recent precedent from this season (and really his entire career) says anything — the quarterback will find a way to continue putting up the emptiest numbers in a defeat.
NFL fans couldn't believe the disparity between Wentz's numbers and the Commanders' poor record
“Numbers never lie.”
The numbers: https://t.co/Nb2nngbU27
— Chris DeLisi (@cd3lisi) October 13, 2022
Surely he and the Commanders must be good then https://t.co/GiN0FEy4fV
— Ryan Henry (@ItsHendog) October 13, 2022
This is funny lol https://t.co/LuFZTJSAMD
— Michael Disla (@MichaelDisla8) October 13, 2022
His numbers will never tell his story.
He can play like a top 10 qb. But his situational football awareness will lose you games. https://t.co/FhlAmQYSne
— 𝔢𝔫𝔣𝔩𝔢𝔭𝔣𝔩𝔬𝔴 (@enflepflow) October 12, 2022
Why stats are misleading https://t.co/fY1NJS8R9E
— Brad (@BC_Buckets18) October 13, 2022
Nothing is real https://t.co/xtHraM3M3m
— Robert Garcia (@BobertGee) October 13, 2022
Almost like stats aren't everything https://t.co/93KeHdZ5SK
— Mike Castellino (@MikeCastellino) October 12, 2022
I can’t believe I defended wentz bEcAuSe NuMbErS for so long lol. https://t.co/9MtUCf7k0P
— Aaron (@Anpalacios5) October 12, 2022
