Why Eagles' Zach Ertz, Dallas Goedert pose problems for defenses

PHILADELPHIA -- While Carson Wentz's return from multiple knee surgeries was the focus of the Eagles' Week 3 win over the Indianapolis Colts, the team's usage of multiple tight end sets helped the quarterback produce a successful debut.

On the first drive of the game, Wentz threw the ball seven times and targeted a tight end on all seven passes in a hurry-up offense. The targets were Zach Ertz, Dallas Goedert and Joshua Perkins.

The 13 personnel (one running back, three tight ends) look presented multiple mismatches for the Colts defense, along with the speed of the Eagles' hurry-up offense.

"We've got three very versatile tight ends," Goedert said in the locker room on Wednesday. "Zach can play inline, he can play every position on the offense. [Perkins], he's a lighter tight end, he's more of the F tight end and he can play [other spots], so he can play all of the positions.

"That kind of leaves me as the true wide position so that takes a little off my plate, adds a little bit to their's but it works out really well. Mismatches all over the field. We can go spread or go in a normal base offense and it kind of puts the defense in a pickle, whether to go dime, nickel or base [coverage], so that plays to our advantage a lot."

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The usage of multiple tight end sets helped lead to the emergence of Goedert in his third NFL game. The second-round pick caught all seven of his targets for 73 receiving yards and the game's first touchdown.

Prior to the Week 3 win, Goedert had just one catch for four yards, as he was only targeted three times by Nick Foles, who was playing in place of the injured Wentz.

Goedert played 55 snaps against the Colts and led the Eagles with seven receptions and clearly established a rapport with Wentz, who was playing in his first game since December knee surgery.

Goedert's emergence should help Wentz and Ertz moving forward. Wentz now has another big target and Ertz should receive less attention in coverage.

Ertz already leads the Eagles in receptions and receiving yards through three games but having other options in the passing game, like Goedert, should help alleviate the attention he receives from opposing defenses, especially in the red zone.

Wentz believes the return of multiple tight end sets makes the Eagles offense even more dangerous.

"It should allow us to do quite a bit, especially with the tight ends we have, that are extremely versatile," Wentz said. "Obviously, they're great pass catchers, they're smart guys. Just the ability to put stress on a defense, when they are pass catchers like that but then if the defense wants to go into some nickel [coverage], get some different personnel on the field, we should be able to take advantage and run the ball with those guys as well. I just think it creates a little mismatch in spots, we've just got to be wise with how we use it."

The Eagles might get receiver Alshon Jeffery back for his first game of the season on the road in Week 4 against the Tennessee Titans, but they still might deploy multiple tight end sets after seeing its impact in Week 3.

It wouldn't be surprising to see the bigger lineup take center stage again in Nashville.

Mike Kaye may be reached at mkaye@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @Mike_E_Kaye. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

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