Jay Cutler Injured, Carson Wentz Shines In Eagles’ 29-14 Win Over Bears

Jay Cutler and Carson Wentz seemed to have switched roles on Monday night.

Jay Cutler Injured, Carson Wentz Shines In Eagles’ 29-14 Win Over Bears

While the Philadelphia Eagles‘ Wentz appeared poised, accurate, and strong in the pocket despite being a rookie quarterback, his Chicago Bears counterpart, the veteran Cutler, seemed like a shaky newbie, losing a key fumble and throwing a terrible interception before leaving the game with a right-hand (throwing hand) injury.

The Eagles defeated the Bears 29-14 in Chicago as Wentz followed up an impressive NFL debut with another strong game, throwing for 190 yards and a touchdown. The 2016 No. 2 overall draft pick out of North Dakota State completed 21 of 34 passes without an interception, despite taking multiple big hits.

Ryan Mathews ran for two touchdowns, and the Eagles (2-0) scored another two TDs late in the third quarter to break open a two-point game.

While Philadelphia began to pull ahead, Cutler walked to the locker room with an injury to his throwing hand and did not return.

That was perhaps the biggest blow for the Bears (0-2), who lost several players and fell again after opening the season with a loss at Houston. This is not exactly the start the Bears were hoping for in their second season under coach John Fox after finishing last in the NFC North. Nevertheless, they continue to struggle at home, where they were 1-7 a year ago.

Cutler, who went 12 of 17 for 157 yards, walked off the field following an interception by Nigel Bradham late in the third. The Chicago QB was seen having his right hand examined on the sideline early in the third after a strip-sack by Destiny Vaeao. 

Brian Hoyer replaced Cutler and finished 9 of 12 for 78 yards.

NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Tuesday that Cutler’s injured thumb will likely keep him out for several weeks. The Bears are now deciding whether surgery is the best course of action, Rapoport added.

Bears kicker Connor Barth played his first game at Soldier Field on Monday, but he missed a field goal that left many Bears fans thinking former star kicker Robbie Gould would never have missed.

Early in the first quarter, Barth was brought on to kick a 31-yard field goal and he hit it off the post.

Before the game, Eagles safety Malcolm Jenkins, defensive end Steven Means and cornerback Ron Brooks all raised their fists in silent protest during the singing of the national anthem.

No members of the Bears or other Eagles players joined in the demonstration, which was inspired by San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick. 

The Eagles will next host the Steelers on Sunday, while the Bears will visit the Cowboys on Sunday for Week 3.

CHICAGO, IL – SEPTEMBER 19: Quarterback Jay Cutler #6 of the Chicago Bears warms up prior to the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Soldier Field on September 19, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)