PHILADELPHIA _ There was no need for a dramatic ending in the Eagles' second home game of the season. They did not need to display their fourth-quarter resolve. The Philadelphia fans could have started their victory celebrations in the first quarter, because that's when it became clear that the Eagles would dominate the Arizona Cardinals in a 34-7 win on Sunday.
The Eagles took a three-touchdown lead in the opening 15 minutes and never looked back. They are now 4-1 for the first time since 2014, ensuring they remain atop the NFC East standing entering Thursday's game against the Carolina Panthers.
Carson Wentz finished 21 of 30 for 304 yards, four touchdowns, and one interception in perhaps his finest game in an Eagles uniform to date. It's the first time he's thrown more than two touchdowns. He was 11 of 12 for 224 yards and three touchdowns on third downs. Nelson Agholor led receivers with four catches for 93 yards and a score. LeGarrette Blount's 74 yards led the rushers, but it was the passing game that carried the Eagles.
After forcing a three-and-out on the opening possession, Wentz came onto the field and started the party. The Eagles went 54 yards on 19 plays, with Wentz converting two third downs and connecting with Trey Burton for a 15-yard touchdown to take a 7-0 lead. Burton ran a slot fade, a pattern that Wentz throws perhaps better than any other. Once Burton won the release at the line of scrimmage, wide receiver Torrey Smith signaled for a touchdown. Wentz hadn't even delivered the pass yet. A touchdown appeared a formality based on how open Burton was in the end zone.
The defense forced the Cardinals to punt, and Kenjon Barner made sure the offense didn't have far to go. Barner, who was signed two weeks ago after Darren Sproles' injury, is thriving in his mentor's spot. Barner navigated through Arizona's special teams coverage for a 76-yard punt return. That set the offense up at the 15-yard line, where Wentz needed three plays to hit Zach Ertz for an 11-yard touchdown and a 14-0 lead.
When the Eagles regained possession, Wentz led the Eagles to another touchdown before the quarter ended. Smith was hard on himself earlier this week, suggesting that he was amid the worst stretch of his career. The slump ended on Sunday. Smith might have struggled with drops, but he's found ways to get open all season. That was rewarded on a third-down deep ball down the middle for a 59-yard touchdown, Smith's first score in an Eagles uniform. He was signed to be the home run threat for the offense, and he celebrated accordingly. Agholor pretended to pitch, and Smith pretended to hit a home run. Alshon Jeffery was the catcher. Wentz appeared to be the umpire.
The scoring might have slowed in the second quarter, but the Eagles' grasp on the game was never in question. Arizona scored a touchdown on their opening drive to cut the Eagles lead to 14 points. They never made it tighter. They had a chance before halftime after Wentz threw a costly interception in the end zone. It was costly because the Eagles were in field-goal range and it took points off the board. The Eagles special teams responded by taking Arizona's potential points off the board. When Phil Dawson tried attempting a 51-yard field goal with five seconds remaining, Patrick Robinson burst around the edge to block the kick and preserve the 21-7 lead.
Lane Johnson did not come out for the second half because of a head injury. That didn't have a major effect on Sunday's game, but it's worth monitoring because the Eagles have a quick turnaround this week. The offense was effective on their first two drives in the second half. Jake Elliott nailed a 36-yard field goal on the first drive to take a 24-7 lead.
And then on the next drive, with the Eagles pinned back for a third-and-19 at their own 28-yard line, Wentz produced another highlight. The Cardinals sent a blitz, and Wentz recognized that Agholor was streaking downfield past a safety. Wentz tossed the deep pass, with Agholor tracking it, catching it, and dancing past a defender for the 72-yard score. The crowd that endured rain showers on Sunday afternoon was in a frenzy about the Eagles' high-powered attack.
The Eagles defense continued to stymie the Cardinals for the rest of the game, and Elliott added another field goal in the fourth quarter. But the game had already been decided. He didn't need to worry about a pressure-packed kick. The Eagles didn't need to worry about holding the lead in a close game. They had a dominating performance in front of their home crowd, and Philadelphia can celebrate a team that appears to be a legitimate contender in the NFC early in the season.
