To say Zach Ertz is finally having a monster breakout year is about as accurate of an understatement one could make. In Monday night's win, Ertz seized his fifth touchdown of the season – already the most in his career. In the two games against the Redskins, he torched Washington for 182 yards and caught all 13 passes that were thrown his direction.
That's just a snapshot of what Ertz has done this year.
Across the league, Ertz ranks first among tight ends in receptions (39), receiving yards (494), touchdowns (5), and first downs (26). He's well on pace to earn his first 1,000-yard season and would be the first Eagles tight end to do so since Pete Retzlaff (1,190) accomplished the feat in 1965.
Ertz is playing elite-level football and Monday night's performance five-catch, 89-yard performance against the Redskins was no exception.
"Any time we play a division opponent, I want to have a good game. This whole year I pride myself on making plays when the ball is in the air and we got off to a fast start before and I want to make plays for the football team," said Ertz.
Ertz recorded his third straight game with a touchdown which is the longest streak by an Eagle since Jordan Matthews from 2015-16 and the longest by an Eagles tight end since Brent Celek from 2011-12. An improved aspect of Ertz's game is his production in the red zone. In the eight times he's been targeted inside the opponents' 20-yard line, Ertz has scored on five of those opportunities.
For the first time in his career, Ertz has had the same quarterback for consecutive years. And he and Carson Wentz are clearly on the same page.
"My job's so easy with Carson," Ertz said. "I just run and he puts the ball exactly where it needs to be every time."
On first-and-10 with the game tied at 10 apiece late in the second quarter, the two connected on a 46-yard pass downfield (the third-longest reception of Ertz's career) to bring the Eagles inside the Washington 20-yard line. Ertz showed off his polished red zone prowess when Ertz caught a short pass on a flat route, put the brakes on safety D.J. Swearinger making him fly by, before jogging in for a 4-yard score to finish the drive. The touchdown with just 20 seconds to go in the first half put the Eagles up for good.
"I kind of advised a certain play and luckily they listened. They're really receptive to what we're seeing on the football field. I think it stems from Carson's ability to diagnose plays. (Head coach) Doug (Pederson) made a great play call. I just had a flat route, caught the ball, figured he would be overreacting to the flat route because it was so close and I just kind of stopped and let him go by. It was easy," Ertz said.
Ertz is making plays look easy with great regularity these days. Up next for Eagles are the 49ers who rank as one of stingiest defenses toward opposing tight ends this season. They've allowed 26 receptions (eighth fewest) and 270 yards (seventh fewest) while relinquishing just one touchdown to tight ends. The challenge is one Ertz embraces as he continues to prove he's one of the league's most superior playmakers at tight end.
"I think my teammates expect me to go out there and make plays so I want to build that confidence in them for me," he said.
The Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Washington Redskins 34-24 on Monday Night Football.
Lincoln Financial Field is gameday ready
Lincoln Financial Field
Lincoln Financial Field
QB Carson Wentz meets with the family of Lukas Kusters before tonight's game #DutchDestroyer
QB Carson Wentz meets with the family of Lukas Kusters before the game tonight #DutchDestroyer
QB Carson Wentz meets with the family of Lukas Kusters before the game tonight #DutchDestroyer
Chairman and CEO Jeffrey Lurie meets with fans at the tailgates before the game
Chairman and CEO Jeffrey Lurie meets with fans at the tailgates before the game
Chairman and CEO Jeffrey Lurie meets with fans at the tailgate before the game
Chairman and CEO Jeffrey Lurie meets with fans at the tailgates before the game
Chairman and CEO Jeffrey Lurie meets with fans at the tailgates before the game
David Akers signs a ceremonial contract to retire as an Eagle
Chairman and CEO Jeffrey Lurie and Eagles Hall of Fame Inductee David Akers
David Akers and SWOOP
David Akers and Head Equipment Manager Greg Delimitros
TE Brent Celek
Defensive Backs Coach Cory Undlin
We can't think of a better way to spend a honeymoon!
Glad to have our fans back home
TE Brent Celek
CB Jalen Mills
CB Jalen Mills
S Corey Graham
WR Alshon Jeffery, QB Carson Wentz, and TE Brent Celek
RB LeGarrette Blount
All in
John Bartram High School was featured on the ESPN Broadcast tonight
David Akers and Brian Westbrook
RB LeGarrette Blount
HeadHouse Plaza ready for Monday Night Football
RB LeGarrette Blount
QB Carson Wentz
DT Tim Jernigan
S Malcolm Jenkins
CB Jalen Mills
DT Beau Allen
QB Carson Wentz
RB Wendell Smallwood
Defensive Coordinator Jim Schwartz
QB Carson Wentz
DT Beau Allen
WR Alshon Jeffery
CB Rasul Douglas, LB Nigel Bradham, and LB Najee Goode
LB Kamu Grugier-Hill
DE Derek Barnett
DE Derek Barnett and DT Fletcher Cox
QB Carson Wentz
WR Alshon Jeffery
T Jason Peters
QB Carson Wentz
LB Joe Walker and S Corey Graham
LB Joe Walker
WR Nelson Agholor
WR Nelson Agholor
LB Nigel Bradham and DE Derek Barnett
RB Corey Clement
WR Mack Hollins
WR Mack Hollins
WR Mack Hollins
WR Mack Hollins
Eagles Hall of Famers, K David Akers and WR Harold Carmichael
Eagles Hall of Famers, K David Akers and WR Mike Quick
The newest member of the Eagles Hall of Fame, K David Akers
K David Akers and Eagles President Don Smolenski
The newest member of the Eagles Hall of Fame, K David Akers
Eagles Hall of Famers at halftime
Passionate fans
Old school vibes
RB Wendell Smallwood
CB Jalen Mills
QB Carson Wentz
RB Wendell Smallwood
TE Zach Ertz
TE Zach Ertz
RB LeGarrette Blount
S Rodney McLeod
RB Corey Clement
RB Corey Clement
QB Carson Wentz
Eagles defense getting to the ball
S Malcolm Jenkins
WR Nelson Agholor
QB Carson Wentz
Head Coach Doug Pederson
WR Nelson Agholor
Battle in the trenches
Defensive Coordinator Jim Schwartz
S Jaylen Watkins
DT Fletcher Cox
S Corey Graham
CB Dexter McDougle
S Corey Graham and CB Dexter McDougle
RB Kenjon Barner
RB Kenjon Barner
T Halapoulivaati Vaitai
DT Fletcher Cox
RB Corey Clement and Head Coach Doug Pederson
T Halapoulivaati Vaitai
LB Nigel Bradham
Linebackers Coach Ken Flajole
LB Martell Spaight and RB Corey Clement
T Morgan Moses and S Rodney McLeod
LB Nigel Bradham and LB Zach Brown
T Lane Johnson and T Trent Williams
S D.J. Swearinger and WR Alshon Jeffery
noPHLYzone
QB Carson Wentz and Lukas Kusters' family #DutchDestroyer
QB Carson Wentz and Lukas Kusters' family #DutchDestroyer
