Carson Wentz can get revenge on two old foes in 2022 season-opener

The NFL is set to release its 2022 regular-season schedule on Thursday night. Both NFL Network and ESPN will televise the reveal beginning at 8 p.m. ET.

Like most key offseason dates, the NFL has morphed its schedule release into a week-long event. Over the last few ways, leaks have been unearthed in droves, most of which have been of the primetime and juicy matchup variety.

Up until Thursday morning, the Washington Commanders made it through the week without any leaks. While some unverified Twitter accounts have made their own reveals, Thursday marked the first time leaks carried legitimacy.

While more disclosures are possible before tonight, we seemingly know two big Commanders matchups for 2022. According to JP Finlay of NBC Sports Washington, Ron Rivera and Co. will kick off the campaign against Trevor Lawrence and Jacksonville Jaguars.

For Carson Wentz, that means he’ll lock horns against the team that ruined his 2021 season (and Colts future), and former Eagles head coach Doug Pederson, whom he had an explosive falling out with during the 2020 season.

Commanders QB Carson Wentz can get revenge on the Jaguars and Doug Pederson in Week 1 of next season.

Of course, Washington playing Jacksonville isn’t new information. We’ve just been waiting for the confirmed date and Week 1 gives Wentz an immediate opportunity to go up against the team that knocked the Colts out of playoff contention as colossal underdogs in Week 18 of last year.

Indy general manager Chris Ballard recently made it seem like the team was considering alternative options beforehand,  but you can’t help but wonder if Wentz would still be a Colt had he not imploded in that must-win game.

Whatever the case, Wentz won’t have any time to settle in to his Commanders uniform before he revisits that awful performance. Emotions will be through the roof, but Wentz seems to have made peace with that game and the Colts’ decision to trade him. Hopefully the quarterback isn’t overwhelmed by the moment.

The Pederson storyline is another variable to consider.

The Jaguars’ Urban Meyer replacement was Wentz’s coach in Philadelphia for five years. Between the decision to take Jalen Hurts in the second round of the 2020 draft and benching Wentz in Week 12 of that same season, Pederson and Wentz did not part on good terms and it’s unclear if they’ve made amends in the two years since.

Putting all of that aside, it’s a great draw for the Commanders, who drew another favorable fixture if this latest leak is true.

According to 670 The Score’s Danny Parkins, Washington will travel to Chicago for a Week 6 primetime game on Thursday Night Football. Soldier Field remains one of the NFL’s most hostile environments. Even though the Bears aren’t expected to win much, this game will still pose a challenge for Ron Rivera’s side.

With that said, the Commanders should be favored to win both of these matchups regardless of the exterior narratives. Not a bad start!

Carson Wentz’s career stats vs NFC East prove trade can be success

New-minted Washington Commanders quarterback Carson Wentz's career stats against the NFC East prove the trade can be a success.