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For Colts QB Carson Wentz, stats only tell part of the story

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When Carson Wentz joined the Indianapolis Colts this offseason, he was reunited with Frank Reich, his offensive coordinator when he was on an MVP pace in Philadelphia. And while the pairing has gotten off to a rocky start in 2021, the Colts QB has provided reasons for optimism.

Carson Wentz’s statistics have been unimpressive so far

Indianapolis has started the season with just one win in four games, and Wentz’s statistics reflect their struggles. The Colts QB hasn’t even broken 1,000 passing yards, totaling just 920 yards, 5 touchdowns, and 1 interception through the air.

Wentz could be playing far worse, but he doesn’t seem to have helped Indianapolis much this season.

Using advanced metrics to evaluate Carson Wentz’s play

Overall, Wentz’s advanced metrics confirm what the traditional statistics tell us. To illustrate that point, let’s turn to the Offensive Value Metric (OVM). OVM is a grading system created by the (Bx) Movement, designed to evaluate players based on how much they contributed to the creation of their statistics rather than the statistics themselves.

Wentz’s performance so far on the metric has been underwhelming. Through four games, his overall grade sits at 21.13. That ranks 25th out of 35 qualifying quarterbacks. He simply hasn’t had the impact Indianapolis was hoping for when they traded for him.

Examining the advanced metrics behind Wentz’s overall OVM grade

To explain why Wentz’s grade is underwhelming, we need to look at the advanced metrics involved in calculating it. To start with, the Colts QB isn’t throwing the ball particularly far downfield, averaging 6.9 yards per attempt and 5.4 yards per completion.

Despite that, he’s completing just 63.8% of his passes, one of the lowest completion percentages in the NFL. According to the NFL’s projections, that number is 0.3% higher than expected, which is a mediocre differential.

To Wentz’s credit, he is throwing into tight windows on an extremely high 18.1% of his throws. But that isn’t enough to overcome his deficiencies in other areas.

OVM grades hampered by injuries

Although Wentz’s overall OVM grade is unimpressive, there is a significant caveat that works in his favor. His overall grade is tanked by an individual grade of 8.81 in Week 3. In that game, Wentz was merely one week removed from accomplishing the rare feat of twisting both his ankles in a single game.

Not only is that extremely unlucky, but it also clearly affected his performance the following week.

Aside from Week 3, Wentz’s grades have actually increased each week, starting at 19.74 in Week 1 then rising to 24.77 and 32.32 in Weeks 2 and 4. That trend indicates that Wentz, aside from one injury-plagued performance, is steadily growing more comfortable in the Colts’ offense.

Comparing Wentz’s performance this season to how he played in 2020

To contextualize Wentz’s 2021 OVM trend, let’s compare it to how he played during his last season in Philadelphia.

You can see his grades from each week of that season in the chart below, marked by the black dots. For comparison, the regular-season average grade for quarterbacks in 2020 is represented by the yellow line.

Even taking that Week 3 grade into account, Wentz is still performing better overall with Indianapolis than during his last season with the Eagles. He has already earned two grades above 20 points, which he only did five times in 13 games a season ago. He has also earned a grade above 30, which he only did twice in 2020.

Additionally, Wentz’s worst grade from 2020 was a 7.84-point performance in Week 4. That is even lower than his Week 3 grade from this season.

Those numbers indicate that, despite his injuries and statistical deficiencies, Wentz has shown legitimate signs of improvement so far in 2021.

The Colts need their QB to play at a higher level to turn their season around

Despite defeating the Miami Dolphins last week, the Colts’ playoff hopes are still on life support. A loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Monday night would drop the team to 1-4. That wouldn’t quite end their season, but it would certainly get close.

And while the Colts have more problems than just their QB, that only makes Wentz’s performance even more crucial. Fortunately, he seems to be trending upward. If he continues to progress, maybe Indianapolis can drag themselves into the playoffs.



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Taylor Swift Is Shown Chugging a Beer on the Jumbotron at Super Bowl 58

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Global superstar Taylor Swift made it to the big game to support her boyfriend, Kansas City Chiefs star tight end Travis Kelce. In the second quarter, it was evident that she was having a good time at the Super Bowl after taking a 12-hour flight from Tokyo the night prior.

Taylor Swift Seen Chugging Beer at Super Bowl

Swift’s attendance has been highly anticipated, as many fans questioned whether she would be able to make it to the big game since she had been in Japan until Saturday for her Eras Tour.

Sure enough, she made it to the Super Bowl and was seen making a grand entrance alongside Blake Lively and Ice Spice.

Swift made it back to the States with plenty of time to make it to Allegiant Stadium to support Kelce. After a leg of her Eras Tour, where she performed several nights in Japan, the singer appeared to let loose.

In a box full of friends, Swift was shown chugging a beer with Ashley Avignone. She was shown on the jumbotron and slammed her cup down after she finished her beer.

There was a mix of cheers and boos as Swift was shown on the big screen, and a long pass to Mecole Hardman was the only highlight of the first half for Swift and her friends. The 49ers led the Chiefs, 10-0, late in the second quarter.

On social media, Swift garnered plenty of support from NFL fans.

If you’re hating on her you can kick rocks man she’s the best,” one user posted on X

“The one thing I learned this season is that she is actually fun,” another said. 

“Booing Taylor Swift chugging a beer is so soft. She’s just one of us now and I respect it ,” another posted. 

At the time of the beer chugging, Kelce, Taylor Swift’s boyfriend, has had one catch for a single yard. It came on the first possession, which ended up being a three-and-out. The Kansas City Chiefs hadn’t done much otherwise.

They did have a deep pass play to Hardman, which put them in the red zone, but Isiah Pacheco fumbled on the very next play — one that Kelce was surprisingly on the sideline for.

Swift and Kelce have garnered much media attention as their romance has taken off throughout this NFL season.

Swift was able to support her boyfriend at many of his games throughout the final stretch of the season, as her Eras Tour was on a break. But starting on Feb. 7, she went back on the road.

MORE: NFL World Reacts to Unbelievable Super Bowl Trick Play

Despite performing in Tokyo the night before the Super Bowl, she was able to make it in time to support her boyfriend due to the time difference and is having a good time doing so.

As the 2023 NFL season comes to a close, the 2024 NFL Draft is on the horizon. Pro Football Network has you covered with everything from team draft needs to the Top 100 prospects available. Plus, fire up PFN’s Mock Draft Simulator to put yourself in the general manager’s seat and make all the calls!

Listen to the PFN Fantasy Podcast

Listen to the PFN Fantasy Podcast! Click the embedded player below to listen, or you can find the PFN Fantasy Podcast on iTunes, Spotify, and all major podcast platforms.  Be sure to subscribe and leave us a five-star review! Rather watch instead? Check out the PFN Fantasy Podcast on our Fantasy YouTube channel.





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What Happened to the 49ers Linebacker?

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The San Francisco 49ers sustained a massive blow during the second quarter of Super Bowl 58, as linebacker Dre Greenlaw left the game on a medical cart.

CBS Sports confirmed that the veteran Greenlaw suffered an Achilles tear, ruling him out for the rest of the game against the Kansas City Chiefs.

What Happened to Dre Greenlaw?

The outside linebacker, who had already been battling past injuries to his hamstrings and calves, left with what appeared to be a leg injury.

And somehow, his left leg looked like it buckled as he tried to trot onto the field with the Niners’ defense.

Greenlaw clutched his left leg in agony before being helped off the field.

CBS Sports sideline reporter Evan Washburn reported that the outside linebacker left with what was ruled as a lower leg injury. He was later determined to sustain an Achilles injury.

Greenlaw was declared out for the rest of the game.

Greenlaw Carted Off in Passenger Seat

Even more noticeable was where Greenlaw sat on the cart.

He ended up leaving not in the back of the medical vehicle but ended up riding shotgun with his leg injury.

One would think that with an injury like an Achilles ailment, medical officials would try to make the player as comfortable as possible before they leave. It wasn’t the case here.

MORE: San Francisco 49ers Depth Chart

Regardless, Greenlaw was replaced by Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles for the rest of the first half. Greenlaw became the most significant injury of the game.

As the 2023 NFL season comes to a close, the 2024 NFL Draft is on the horizon. Pro Football Network has you covered with everything from team draft needs to the Top 100 prospects available. Plus, fire up PFN’s Mock Draft Simulator to put yourself in the general manager’s seat and make all the calls!

Listen to the PFN Fantasy Podcast

Listen to the PFN Fantasy Podcast! Click the embedded player below to listen, or you can find the PFN Fantasy Podcast on iTunes, Spotify, and all major podcast platforms.  Be sure to subscribe and leave us a five-star review! Rather watch instead? Check out the PFN Fantasy Podcast on our Fantasy YouTube channel.





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NFL World Reacts to Epic Super Bowl Intro From CBS

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Super Bowl 58 is here and it’s going to be exciting. The San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs are facing off in the final game of 2023.

CBS is broadcasting the game and the opening was nothing short of amazing. How is the NFL world reacting to the electric Super Bowl-opening video?

Epic CBS Super Bowl Intro Garners Reaction From NFL World

The video, which spanned four minutes and 19 seconds, featured players from both teams talking about the big game and what it means to them. It also featured their families talking about their journeys to this point.

“Amazing intro! Reminds me of my dad! Bravo on the intro!,” one NFL fan said on X (formerly known as Twitter)

Additionally, Frank Sinatra’s “My Way” played in the background, giving it a near-movie feel. “This was incredible.,” another person said on X. “And so, the @49ers and @Chiefs face that final curtain,” CBS Sports said.

The 49ers finished the regular season as the top seed in the NFC with a 12-5 record. After their first-round bye, they defeated both the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions to earn their trip to Las Vegas for the Super Bowl. Both of their victories came in comeback fashion, including an NFC Championship-record 17-point comeback.

The Chiefs, on the other hand, had a more uphill battle. Entering the playoffs as the AFC’s third seed, they finished the regular season with an 11-6 record. In the playoffs, they defeated the Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills, and Baltimore Ravens to punch their ticket.

Super Bowl 58 is a re-match of Super Bowl 54 when the Chiefs defeated the 49ers 31-24. The win was the first in Patrick Mahomes career, as he also won Super Bowl MVP. Four years later, the Chiefs have made three more and won another. For the 49ers, this is their first trip back to the big game since.

The game kicked off at 6:30 p.m. ET with the 49ers receiving the opening kick. In addition to being broadcast on CBS, the game is also being streamed on Paramount+.

As the 2023 NFL season comes to a close, the 2024 NFL Draft is on the horizon. Pro Football Network has you covered with everything from team draft needs to the Top 100 prospects available. Plus, fire up PFN’s Mock Draft Simulator to put yourself in the general manager’s seat and make all the calls!

Listen to the PFN Fantasy Podcast

Listen to the PFN Fantasy Podcast! Click the embedded player below to listen, or you can find the PFN Fantasy Podcast on iTunes, Spotify, and all major podcast platforms.  Be sure to subscribe and leave us a five-star review! Rather watch instead? Check out the PFN Fantasy Podcast on our Fantasy YouTube channel.





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