Matthews, Agholor Need to Build on Solid Opener

By Kevin Durso, Sports Talk Philly editor 

Carson Wentz wasn't the only one who turned in a solid day last Sunday for the Eagles. The targets for his two touchdown passes, Jordan Matthews and Nelson Agholor, had solid days as well.

With tight end Zach Ertz officially out for Monday night's game against the Bears, Matthews and Agholor need to build on a good start to their seasons in Chicago.

Matthews came three yards short of a 1,000 receiving yard season last year. If 1,000 yards is a goal for the third-year receiver, then he got off to a good start with seven catches for 114 yards and a touchdown. 

Agholor started slow, but finished with four catches for 57 yards and a touchdown.

The Eagles listed Matthews and Josh Huff as starters, but realistically, these are the Eagles top two targets at the wide receiver position, even with Dorial Green-Beckham on the depth chart.

Matthews made a statement in his first game of the season. Agholor got a clear confidence boost from his touchdown catch. Momentum and confidence will be key to this duo's success as the season goes on, especially with the lack of success they shared in terms of production — in Agholor's case — and drops — in Matthews' case.

Through one week, both seem to be in tact as the Eagles go into Chicago. This will be a better test for Wentz, facing a defense that will certainly be challenging and trying to rattle the rookie quarterback. But this will also be a challenge for Matthews, Agholor and the wide receivers as well.

In the Week 1 win, the offense looked to be on the same page most of the way. Wentz was the ringleader, calling the shots and making adjustments at the line, but the receivers were running routes properly, ready for the passes coming their way and really going all out to help the team achieve success. That style of play and dedication on the field will translate into continued success for this group.

The receiver group, like Wentz, will face adversity at some time. For a stretch during the Week 1 game, the Eagles offense sputtered and struggled to move the ball consistently. It allowed the Browns the ability to claw their way back into the game. But when the Eagles have everyone clicking as a unit, they don't look like a team run by a rookie and carried the rest of the way by a relatively green group of receivers. They look like seasoned veterans.

That is the challenge for the Eagles receivers, not just on Monday night, but for the rest of the season. Their Week 1 win showed what chemistry can do for an offense. Consistent chemistry can make a team become a contender quickly. 

Wentz's early success has Philadelphia buzzing, but Wentz is only one piece of the puzzle. Matthews and Agholor can be key pieces to that puzzle as well and their success will dictate how quickly that puzzle comes complete.