The Washington Commanders quarterback defeated his former coach, won his first game with his new team, and showed his new one what it was like to have him as a quarterback.
In his first game with Washington, he threw for 313 yards and four touchdown to lead a 28-22 comeback win over Jacksonville. Doug Pederson was the coach of the Philadelphia Eagles when he was with the Jacksonville Jags.
He said the win felt great. It was cool to get it done when it mattered the most. It was a cool way to begin.
The reason the Commanders had to come back was because he threw two picks in a row. It was an ugly stretch due to being late on one pick and forcing the other.
It was the sort of ride that has defined his career, and it's okay with his new coach, Ron Rivera, who knows exactly how he'll handle it during the season.
He agreed to take antacids. We're going to ride with him, we're going to go with the good, and we're going to go with the bad. We did a lot of research on him and we were pretty sure that he was a guy we needed around here.
After the second pick-six, he looked at Rivera and he told him to go win the game. "I will" was the reply from Wentz, and he walked away with the victory.
"It's just the reality," he said. It's time to fix the plays you made. Don't attempt to fix it all at once. Go and make the next play.
Then he did. The big-play ability that led Washington to trade for him in March, hoping he solved their decades-long quest for quarterback stability, was shown after Jacksonville took a 22-21 lead with 11 minutes to go. Since 1991, Washington has won the Super Bowl with 33 quarterbacks starting.
When he capped a four-play drive with a 49-yard pass, he showed why they hope there's better days to come.
The 13-play drive was the go-ahead point. He completed five-of-eight passes for 59 yards and connected with a player for a touchdown.
"Just knowing from the past trying to do too much in those situations can come back to haunt you," said the quarterback, who threw two first-half touchdown passes. Guys made plays when it mattered.
The Indianapolis Colts missed the playoffs last year after a 15-point loss to Jacksonville that cost them a spot. The Colts acquired him from Philadelphia a year after agreeing to a trade.
Pederson is the new coach of a different team. The two of them were together before the game.
Two years ago, we were in the same place. I have nothing but respect for him and wish him the best. It was enjoyable to compete against him again.
The Commanders were told how to play better by their new teammate after the game.
The key point was how he responded under pressure.
He does not get too low. It's a true test of his character to come back after a tough turnover. We have a lot of chances to win.
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