Originally Published: October 9, 2017 6:02 a.m.
PHILADELPHIA — Carson Wentz looked like the vintage Carson Palmer.
Wentz threw a career-best four touchdown passes to help the Philadelphia Eagles beat the Arizona Cardinals 34-7 on Sunday.
The quarterbacks and teams seem headed in opposite directions. Wentz has the Eagles off to an impressive 4-1 start in his second season. Meanwhile, the window could be closing for the 37-year-old Palmer and the Cardinals (2-3).
While Philadelphia quickly prepares for a trip to Carolina (4-1) on Thursday night, the Cardinals return home to face Tampa Bay (2-2) looking to avoid a downward spiral.
Wentz tossed three scoring passes on three consecutive attempts in the first quarter, including 59 yards to Torrey Smith, 11 yards to Zach Ertz and 15 yards to Trey Burton. He connected with Nelson Agholor for a 72-yard TD on third-and-19 in the third quarter. Wentz is the first Eagles player to throw for three touchdowns in the first quarter of a game.
Cardinals coach Bruce Arians said the flat performance was his fault. “I got to point it at me because our team obviously was not ready to play in all three phases,” he said.
Cardinals LS Aaron Brewer (arm) left in the first quarter. Veldheer (knee) and DT Olsen Pierre (ankle) were injured in the third. Eagles RT Lane Johnson left at halftime with a head injury, but Pederson couldn’t confirm if he has a concussion.