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Wentz vs. Prescott looks like the start of a long rivalry

The first matchup between rookie quarterbacks Carson Wentz and Dak Prescott will take place Sunday night, but it likely won't be the last.

The first matchup between rookie quarterbacks Carson Wentz and Dak Prescott will take place Sunday night, but it likely won't be the last.

For the months leading up to the draft, it appeared Wentz's Eagles career would always be compared with that of No. 1 overall pick Jared Goff. They were the top two picks in the draft and the targets of two blockbuster trades. But Goff has not yet played, and Wentz and Prescott have been starters since Day 1 in the NFC East who have combined to win 9 of 12 games, throwing 15 touchdown passes and only four interceptions.

If the early returns are any indication, this could be a quarterback rivalry for years to come.

"It could potentially be there," said Prescott, who has led the Dallas Cowboys to a 5-1 start. "It will always be - I know to me, and hopefully to Carson - the Eagles vs. the Cowboys. Us being the quarterbacks, and us being the guys there, I feel like, yeah, it could be something over time."

Wentz said he doesn't put much stock in "that stuff," but with the Cowboys being a division rival, it "very well could happen for a long time."

"It doesn't really drive me, but it's exciting," Wentz said.

Both teams heavily scouted the two quarterbacks. Before the Eagles traded up to draft Wentz, he practiced for the Cowboys staff at the Senior Bowl and thought Dallas could pick him at No. 4. Before Prescott fell to the Cowboys in the fourth round, he visited the Eagles' facility to meet with the coaches. Doug Pederson said the Eagles "really liked him, liked everything about him as a quarterback." Of course, they liked Wentz a lot more - they could have drafted Prescott in a middle round but instead surrendered a bounty of draft picks to acquire Wentz.

The Cowboys were able to land running back Ezekiel Elliott with the No. 4 pick and Prescott later. Elliott leads the NFL in rushing, and Prescott has played so well that there are questions about whether the Cowboys will insert Tony Romo back into the starting lineup when the veteran is fully healthy.

What stands out about the early success of both quarterbacks is not only the records of their teams but also the way they're taking care of the ball. Safety Malcolm Jenkins was most impressed that Prescott has only one interception, and Wentz has three. Among the 30 quarterbacks with at least 150 pass attempts, only 10 have three or fewer interceptions.

"They know how to win," Pederson said. "They know how to lead their teams. Nothing seems to be too big for either one of them. They take it in stride. The ability to protect the football, I think, through these first six, seven games like this has been crucial."

Pederson said the difference between the two quarterbacks is that Wentz is "a little bit bigger," but he sees similarities in their preparation, athletic ability, and the the way they use the strengths of their team.

"They're probably more similar than they are not," Pederson said.

Wentz will face Prescott after the worst start of the Eagle's season. He went 16 of 28 for a season-low 138 yards and a season-high two interceptions against Minnesota. He also lost a fumble and had problems on snaps. Pederson said Wentz needs to focus on fundamentals and mechanics this week, citing "wide-open throws to his left" that Wentz missed.

"I think it goes back to refining my footwork, primarily. I think is the biggest thing, just being in rhythm with the reads or the progressions," Wentz said. "I don't think it's anything we need to overanalyze or freak out about. It's just something you can focus in a little bit every week."

Considering the way Wentz played in the first month of the season and the scrutiny he's under, it's easy to forget that he's only six games into his rookie campaign. Even 10-year veterans have bad games, so for a rookie quarterback it's all part of the development. Wentz refused to think that way, though.

"I don't believe in the rookie excuse or anything like that," Wentz said. "I'm all about winning ball games and winning them now."

Wide receiver Jordan Matthews said personality is one reason Wentz and Prescott have been successful. It's easy for a rookie to believe he must take his lumps, but it's harder to play and act as if he belongs from Day 1.

"Just being fearless," Matthews said. "They put you out there, but if your mind-set is, 'I'll need a couple years to get this going,' then you're not going to be able to come in and do what you need to do. The thing about the NFL that I don't think people give enough credit to is you have to have good opportunity. Your opportunities and the situation you get put in will usually determine how well you are as an NFL athlete."

The opportunity has been advantageous for both players, because neither is overburdened. The Eagles have the NFL's fifth-ranked defense, and both teams are in the top 10 in scoring defense. The Cowboys have the NFL's top-ranked rushing offense, and both teams are in the top 10 in rushing attempts per game. Neither team is relying on its quarterback to throw 35-40 times each week.

"I think both teams know that we both have young quarterbacks and we've got to rely a little bit on defense, got to rely on special teams, and that running game becomes so important," Pederson said.

Of course, the roles could change with more experience. But so far, it's working for both teams. The first matchup between Wentz and Prescott will be with first place in the NFC East at stake, and it might not be the last.

"You're talking about two guys that could potentially be like a Brady-Peyton rivalry," Matthews said, referring to Tom Brady and Peyton Manning. "The only difference is that you're going to get this two times a year - and possibly playoffs. It's a fun thing to be a part of. But I'm glad we got [No.] 11."

zberman@phillynews.com

@ZBerm