Philadelphia, PA
- On Sunday, the Philadelphia Eagles return home to host the Indianapolis Colts. Both teams enter at 1-1, coming off very different Week 2 results. The Colts are coming off a quality 21-9 victory over the Redskins on the road. The Eagles are coming off a road loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, in a game where they were throttled by a fast Bucs defense and a confident Ryan Fitzpatrick.
Philadelphia fell behind on the first play from scrimmage, with Fitzpatrick lofting a bomb to a streaking DeSean Jackson, who always brings his best self against his former team. Jackson avoided cornerback Jalen Mills and coasted into the end zone. It was a slow start for the defending champs, much like against Atlanta. The Eagles need to try and get a game plan, maybe even a script of 10-15 plays, just to establish something early. It’s much easier to play from ahead than to play from behind.
Week 3: Philadelphia Eagles VS Indianapolis Colts
The Eagles welcome back Carson Wentz, fresh off of a torn ACL suffered late last year. Wentz was enjoying an MVP-caliber season before the injury, and he looks to bounce back even stronger in his third season. He’ll be reunited with wide receiver Jordan Matthews, who was the Eagles leading wideout in yards and receptions during Wentz’s rookie season. Matthews failed to catch on with Buffalo and is looking to breakout in Philadelphia. He’s expected to start alongside Nelson Agholor and Kamar Aiken. The Eagles offense was conservative and ineffective with Nick Foles at the helm, and Wentz’s return should spark the fans and his teammates. Expect an aggressive game plan from head coach Doug Peterson, and no holding back with Carson Wentz.
Looking at the Colts, they did an excellent job of bending but not breaking on defense. Allowing Alex Smith and the Redskins to move the ball, mainly off of short passes but clamped down once the ‘Skins reached the Colts’ side of midfield. They stifled Adrian Peterson and the Redskins’ running game and forced Washington to be one dimensional for much of the game. Expect the Colts to focus on winning the battle along the line of scrimmage, and pressing the receivers at the line. This will force Wentz to scramble and create plays, which he did so well a year ago. We’ll see if he’s the same quarterback that Eagles fans have become so affectionate for.
All in all, I expect a high scoring game with the Eagles hanging on late for the victory. Wentz will have to create plays with his arms and legs, and I’m eager to see just how good he looks coming off his injury.
Final prediction: Eagles 37, Colts 31.
