Wentz impresses again, Eagles beat Steelers 34-3

By Rob Maaddi, Associated Press

Sunday, Sept. 25, 2016 | 6:21 p.m.

Carson Wentz threw for 301 yards and two touchdowns, a fierce defense shut down Ben Roethlisberger and Antonio Brown and the Philadelphia Eagles beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 34-3 on Sunday to remain unbeaten.

The rookie No. 2 overall pick connected with Darren Sproles on a 73-yard, catch-and-run TD and tossed a 12-yard TD pass to Jordan Matthews.

After beating the Browns (0-3) and Bears (0-2) in the first two games, the Eagles (3-0) proved they could compete with the big boys. The Steelers (2-1) averaged 31 points the first two weeks and are considered Super Bowl contenders.

Pittsburgh was 19-2 against rookie quarterbacks since 2004. But Wentz is no ordinary rookie.

Everyone is jumping on the Wentz wagon in Philadelphia. And he was the No. 3 quarterback until Sam Bradford was traded to Minnesota just eight days before the season opener.

Sproles finished with six catches for 128 yards and Kenjon Barner and rookie Wendell Smallwood each had their first career rushing TDs.

Roethlisberger had 257 yards passing, one interception and no TDs after tossing six in the first two games. Brown caught 12 passes for 140 yards, most of which after the outcome was decided.

FAST START

The Eagles scored on their first drive for the third straight game. Caleb Sturgis' 29-yard FG put them up 3-0. Wentz tossed a TD pass to Matthews on the next possession to make it 10-0. Sturgis kicked a 38-yard FG on Philadelphia's third drive for a 13-3 lead.

MISSED OPPORTUNITY

After Pittsburgh's Markus Wheaton dropped a TD pass in the back of the end zone on the game's opening drive, Bennie Logan blocked Chris Boswell's 36-yard FG attempt.

INJURIES

Steelers LB Lawrence Timmons injured his left shin in the first half and was taken to a hospital for evaluation. SS Robert Golden (hamstring) and LG Ramon Foster (chest) also didn't return in the second half for Pittsburgh. WR Eli Rogers injured his toe in the third quarter and didn't return. ... The Eagles were missing two starters for the second straight game: TE Zach Ertz (rib) and CB Leodis McKelvin (hamstring).

HARASSING BIG BEN

Fletcher Cox had two sacks, including one that forced a fumble recovered by Brandon Graham. Logan and Graham also had sacks as the Eagles put plenty of pressure on Roethlisberger. The Steelers allowed only two sacks in the first two games combined.

NIFTY MOVES

The speedy, elusive Sproles left Artie Burns on the ground by zig-zagging his way into the end zone after catching Wentz's pass down the right sideline near Philadelphia's 48, cutting to the middle of the field, back to the right and then scoring down the middle.

STATS

Wentz is first rookie in NFL history without an interception in his first 100 pass attempts to begin a career. ... The Steelers are 0-9 in Philadelphia since their last win here in 1965. ... Eagles RB Ryan Mathews carried only two times for minus-5 yards. .... Barner had 42 yards rushing, including an 8-yard TD . ... Smallwood had 79 yards rushing, including a 1-yard TD . ...

ANTHEM PROTEST

Eagles S Malcolm Jenkins and CB Ron Brooks were the only players to raise their fists during the national anthem. Last week, they were joined by DEs Marcus Smith and Steven Means.