Eagles Postgame: Doug Pederson Lauds Defense for Start to Season

By Kevin Durso, Sports Talk Philly editor 

It wasn't quite the show that Carson Wentz put on in Week 1, but the quarterback remained effective and protected the football, leading the Eagles to another win.

Wentz may have been the leader on offense, but the defense set up the Eagles three touchdowns in the game, a 29-14 win over the Chicago Bears on Monday.

Three turnovers for the defense produced 13 points in the win, while the offense remained turnover free for the second straight game. That was not lost on head coach Doug Pederson.

"We don't talk about turnovers. We talk about ball security," Pederson said. "It's their jobs, offensively to protect the ball and defensively to get takeaways. For two games now, not having a turnover is something to be said, it's a pride factor with the guys."

Wentz's numbers weren't spectacular, but for the second straight game, the rookie didn't play like one. The poise and confidence returned, and there is a leadership that is forming in Wentz that is quickly becoming just another quality to love.

"I thought he played well. Obviously well enough to win," Pederson said. "He took care of the football and stood in there and made some nice, tough throws. Was it perfect? By no means was it perfect. But at the same time, he's seeing things really well and he's commanding the huddle and the dialogue on the sidelines with players and coaches with him is something that a nine, 10-year vet would do. It's just showing his maturity and the ability that he has to play quarterback."

Wentz just exudes confidence, and that continued as he spoke to the media after the game.

"I'm feeling really good. I play with a lot of confidence," Wentz said. "I usually feel good even when there's bad plays. You just got to keep plugging away and I feel confident."

For Wentz, this week was about the stage, Monday Night Football on the road in Chicago. The rookie took it in stride and stayed within himself to help get his team another victory.

"Not really. I came out, pretty much same routine. It was a cool stage, Monday Night Football, everything was sweet. But it was a football game and we came out with a win.

"It was cool, but at the same time for me, it's something I try to not make bigger than it needs to be. I recognize there's a lot of things going on, a lot of eyes on us. It was a football game. You only get so many of these and you've got to take advantage of your opportunities."

Defensively, the Eagles showed the form similar to that of the preseason. The preseason showed signs of a defense that could quickly turn the tide of a game. Three quick turnovers essentially put the game out of reach for Chicago.

To this point, the Eagles defense have managed five turnovers and allowed 17 total points — the Bears scored on a special teams play for their second touchdown on Monday. Pederson said that the defense is just coming together as a unit, and that has contributed to their early-season success.

"I just think they're playing well together as a team," Pederson said. "The communication is great. The defensive line is rolling off the ball, putting pressure, making the quarterback move off of one spot. The back end is really doing a nice job in coverage. They're just playing well together as a unit."

Pederson also said Caleb Sturgis had cramps during the game, but is fine. Running back Ryan Mathews was also reportedly getting his hand checked out by Eagles trainers after the game.

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