Washington Commanders quarterback Carson Wentz (11) play has declined steadily since a Week 1. Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Clock ticking for Commanders QB Carson Wentz amid alarming play

By Eric Smithling | Last updated 10/3/22

Commanders QB Carson Wentz's play has declined steadily since a Week 1 win over Jacksonville, with his passer rating falling from 101 to 99.7, 71 and 56.7. It’s no coincidence that his substandard play has coincided with the team’s three-game losing streak.

It's hard to believe Wentz could play even worse than he did in a Week 3 loss to the Eagles (25-for-43, 211 passing yards). Against the Cowboys on Sunday, however, Wentz was dreadful (25-for-42, 170 passing yards). In games against two division opponents, he has thrown for less than 400 yards.

Many have decried Washington's poor pass blocking and unimaginative playcalling for the team's poor start.

All of the blame being out on Carson Wentz isn’t accurate. Can he play better? Sure. But, his offensive line hasn’t been consistent either. It just seems like teams know everything Washington throws at them on both sides of the ball. At this point I’m convinced it’s schemes.
— Lake Lewis Jr (@LakeLewis) October 3, 2022

RG3 on Carson Wentz- “ he’s under fire every time he drops back.” Griffin says that while last week some of the sacks were on Wentz, against Dallas it was mostly the OLine.
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) October 3, 2022

But Wentz deserves a huge share of the blame, too.

Here are the quarterbacks with the lowest yards per attempt (YPA) on 170+ passes in the first four weeks of a season all-time.

Sam Bradford, 2013 - 6.01
Carson Wentz, 2022 - 5.99
Kyler Murray, 2022 - 5.73
Colt McCoy, 2011 - 5.72
— Anthony Staggs (@staggsNFL) October 3, 2022

If Wentz continues this downward spiral, his stay in Washington could be short. The team put significant pressure on its quarterback to perform well immediately, and that plan is backfiring.

If Carson Wentz starts every snap through the bye week, he will reach the 70% threshold that turns the Commanders 2023 conditional 3rd into a 2nd rounder for the Colts … won’t be able to pin down the exact snap, but right around halftime of week 13 vs the Giants #HTTC
— Mitchell Tischler (@Mitch_Tischler) October 3, 2022

The Commanders' issues will be exacerbated if they must upgrade the pick owed the Colts from a third-rounder to a second-rounder in the 2023 NFL Draft. Bottom line: Wentz must play better starting with Week 5 against the Titans.

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