Could 49ers game be start of something beautiful for Rams’ Carson Wentz?

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Since joining the Rams in November, Carson Wentz rarely has stood still on the sideline.

The veteran quarterback bursts into sprints as if he is avoiding a rush. He tosses passes as if he’s engineering a game-winning, two-minute drive.

But as Matthew Stafford led the Rams to a playoff spot, Wentz never got the chance to show in a game that he could once again be a viable NFL starter.

That opportunity arrives Sunday.

Coach Sean McVay is resting Stafford and a few other starters, so Wentz will be under center against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium.

Read more: Four Rams are selected to NFC Pro Bowl team with hopes of missing it for Super Bowl

Will Wentz be as active on the sideline as a starter as he was as the backup?

“Maybe a little bit,” he said. “I’m not a 22-year-old spring chicken anymore. I’m 31 and I got to find a way to stay fresh and stay warm.”

Wentz, the No. 2 pick behind Jared Goff in the 2016 NFL draft, has not started a game since Jan. 1, 2022, when he played for the Washington Commanders.

A victory over the 49ers, the top seed in the NFC, would enable the No. 6 Rams to maintain their seed and play the Detroit Lions in a wild-card game. If the Rams lose, and the Green Bay Packers defeat the Chicago Bears, the Rams would fall to the No. 7 seed and play the Dallas Cowboys.

“Excited to go get a chance and, yes, there is still some stuff to play for and there’s things at stake and it’s January,” Wentz said. “I haven’t played a game in a long time so I’m excited for it.”

Carson Wentz (11) says he has been soaking up knowledge from Rams starting quarterback Matthew Stafford (9). Wentz is starting in Week 18 against the 49ers. (Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)

“Just what he does off the field, just in this film room, and just how he sees the game, it’s been fun to get to work with him.”

Carson Wentz, on Rams starting quarterback Matthew Stafford

The 6-foot-5, 237-pound Wentz played his first five NFL seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles….

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/could-49ers-game-start-something-120040220.html

Author : LA Times

Publish date : 2024-01-05 12:00:40

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