Preview: Eagles Host Colts

By Paul Bowman, Eagledelphia Managing Editor

The Eagles offense struggled along in week one and through much of week two before picking up in the second half of their loss to the Buccaneers last week. The Eagles hope that the return of Carson Wentz and the signing of Jordan Matthews lights a spark for the team as they take on a struggling Colts team. Meanwhile, the Eagles defense played sloppily last week and will hope to right the ship against Andrew Luck.

The Eagles have injuries piling up at both wide receiver and running back, but are confident that they have the chance to beat the Colts.

A Bit of Luck

When the Eagles faced off against Andrew Luck in the 2014 season, they beat the Colts 30-27 to earn a record of 2-0. Among Eagles starters who made a large impact in that win were Zach Ertz (four receptions, 86 yards), Malcolm Jenkins (one tackle, five assists, and an interception), and Fletcher Cox (four tackles, one forced fumble).

Luck completed 20 of 34 passes for 172 yards and three touchdowns, however. The Colts do not have a receiver corps as good as the Buccaneers, but they have Luck who is one of the best QBs in the league. The Eagles secondary will need to play more press coverage and the front will need to get pressure on Luck.

Under Pressure

The Eagles defensive front was not given much time to pressure Ryan Fitzpatrick with so many quick plays last week, but they performed very well against the Falcons who boast one of the best offensive lines in the league. The Colts have no such thing. They tend to utilize Luck under center and do not have a stable offensive line. That isn’t to say it isn’t a good line, but it is almost always changing.

The Eagles defensive line should be able to take advantage of that situation and lack of cohesiveness in this game. Notably, Fletcher Cox intends to win the Defensive Player of the Year Award and this is a game he will have to take full advantage of to have that chance.

The issue is that Luck is one of the best quarterbacks in football when under pressure. In 2016, Pro Football Focus rated him as the fifth best since 2006 (when pressure started to be tracked). It will be strength against strength in this matchup.

Your countdown of the highest touchdown rate when under pressure in the PFF Era – starts with Colts QB Andrew Luck. pic.twitter.com/4D3HjYXfXT

— Pro Football Focus (@PFF) May 22, 2017

Wonderful, Wonderful Wentz

It may be difficult to believe, but the Colts are as beat up, if not more so than the Eagles. Their injuries are not all limited to two positions, however.

That said, the Colts defense has taken a lot of hits to their pass defense. Carson Wentz should be able to take advantage of those injuries and get back into form during the game against the Colts. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that he and Jordan Matthews are best friends and the Eagles brought him back this past week for Wentz’s return.

Injury Report

Eagles

Out

RBs Jay Ajayi and Darren Sproles

Sproles continues to suffer from last week’s hamstring injury while Ajayi has lingering back issues from the loss to the Buccaneers. This is why Josh Adams was signed from the practice squad and means that Wendell Smallwood will likely see a lot of touches.

Out

WR Alshon Jeffery, LT Jason Peters, RB Corey Clement and LB Kamu Grugier-Hill

Jeffery has not been cleared for contact and is unlikely to play, but was not officially ruled out. He is still recovering from his torn rotator cuff. It is good news that he is even questionable play as the Eagles need him back to help a thin wide receiver corps as soon as possible.

Peters continues to suffer from the quad injury suffered against the Buccaneers. He was expected to play all this week.

Clement is expected to play, but was having lower body issues in training. If he is unable to go, the Eagles will only have two healthy running backs and they are the bottom two on the depth chart.

Gruiger-Hill is dealing with a groin issue. The Eagles have Nate Gerry, LaRoy Reynolds and DJ Alexander as backups should he be unable to go, but lost depth at the position earlier this week.

Colts

Out

DT Denico Autry, LT Anthony Castonzo, TE Jack Doyle (hip), RB Marlon Mack, CB Quincy Wilson, and DT Hassan Ridgeway

The first five all play a huge role on the Colts. Protection will be thin with left tackle Casronzo and tight end Doyle both being out. Look for Chris Long and Brandon Graham to use that to their advantage. Their top running back is out and the Eagles have one of the top run defenses in the league, so expect a lot of passing. Denico Autry being out means the Colts pass defense up front takes a hit while Wilson being out means that the Colts will be without their best backup in the secondary.

Questionable

S Clayton Geathers and CB Chris Milton

Two additional players from a thin secondary. Geathers is a starter, so if he is unable to go, the conditions will be nearly perfect for Wentz’s return as the Colts will be without at least three key pieces to their pass defense.

Broadcast Information

Time: 1:00 p.m.

TV: FOX

Radio: 94.1 FM WIP

Online: NFL Gamepass