The Indianapolis Colts are 3-4 and in second place, two games behind the Tennessee Titans in the AFC South division.
After dropping the first three games and going 0-3, the Colts have gone 3-1.
After Philip Rivers retired at the end of 2020, it came as no surprise that Reich would seek out his former pupil, Carson Wentz formerly of the Philadelphia Eagles.
Reich was Wentz’s offensive coordinator during the Eagles Super Bowl run.
Prior to getting hurt, Wentz was on an MVP pace that season.
Reich and Wentz worked very well together.
At a recent press conference Reich was asked if the Wentz we are seeing now is reminiscent of the 2017 Wentz prior to his injuries.
Reich’s Response
Frank Reich: We're seeing Carson Wentz play good football. https://t.co/QcPc9vy9ij
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) October 28, 2021
“I think that’s fair to say it that way. I probably — and this is my fault — want to start talking in terms of that was a great year when I was with him, but I probably need to do a better job of focusing on he’s here now. I’m really looking for the Colts version of him where he just keeps getting better and better. But what we are seeing is he’s playing good football. But what we talk about is every week is a new week and we can always get better, and we have to get better and he has to get better — we all do.”
It has to be hard not to remember the good old days when it got the pair a Super Bowl title.
Even with Wentz injured for the playoffs, his role in that Super Bowl season is cemented by how well he played during the regular season.
Reich is trying to turn the page to a Colts-forward view, but most agree that Wentz’s play has been vintage Philadelphia.
That is great news for both the Colts and Wentz.
The @Colts are getting early Philadelphia vintage Carson Wentz, which Is why they are very much in the AFC mix. pic.twitter.com/f9ziZHUtSO
— Judy Battista (@judybattista) October 28, 2021
What Wentz Is Doing Well
Reich commented on the positives he sees in Wentz’s game as he settles into the Colts offense.
“I really like the way he’s pushing the ball down the field, how aggressively he’s thinking but still making good decisions, checking it down when he needs to. He’s doing a great job in the run game when we need to get to the right checks in the run game — managing the game the right way and making plays and being good situationally. Last week, we saw him make a couple plays with his feet, but without going crazy doing that. So, we’re trying to find that right balance.”
That balance also includes taking care of the football.
Wentz has only thrown 1 interception.
He has 11 touchdown passes.
Carson Wentz through 7 games in 2020:
10 Pass TD
10 INTCarson Wentz through 7 games in 2021:
11 Pass TD
1 INT pic.twitter.com/aZHhGskO3u— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) October 25, 2021
The Colts In 2021
The Colts are not in a bad position being two games behind the Titans.
Who knows if the Titans will drop their level of play?
The Colts already dropped a division game to the Titans in Week 3 by the score of 25-16.
They have a crucial Week 8 home game with the Titans on Halloween.
Winning that game will help them stay within striking distance going into the second half of the season.
Anything can happen then.
NEXT: Colts Have Shot To Stay In AFC South Race Against Titans
