NFL
Indianapolis Colts vs Philadelphia Eagles Preview
Carson Wentz Returns as the Eagles Take on Former OC, Frank Reich, and the Colts
Two familiar faces return to action at Lincoln Financial Field this Sunday. Eagles’ starting quarterback, Carson Wentz, will be in the huddle for the first time since December 10th of 2017. Frank Reich, former Eagles’ offensive coordinator, left Philadelphia after last season’s Super Bowl victory to take on the head coach position in Indianapolis. This Sunday is Reich’s first trip back to Philadelphia.
Both teams come into Week 3 with 1-1 records looking to improve to 2-1. The Eagles are strong favorites with a 72.9% win chance according to ESPN. Both head coaches, who know each other well, will look to create a much needed offensive momentum on their respective teams. This game’s most interesting matchup could be on the sidelines.
Injury Report
These two franchises have been battling a slew of injuries for the past 18-24 months. The Colts’ have a total of 11 injured players on the active roster and another 11 on the injury reserve. The Eagles’, on the other hand, have eight injured players on the active roster and six players on the IR list.
The Colts will be without Jack Doyle (TE), Denico Autry (DL), Anthony Castonzo (OL), Quincy Wilson (CB), Marlon Mack (RB), and Hassan Ridgeway (DL) this week according to Mike Wells. Clayton Geathers, Denzelle Good, and Chris Milton are expected to play.
Eagles’ running backs, Jay Ajayi and Darren Sproles, did not participate in practice this week and will not play on Sunday. Alshon Jeffery (WR) and Jason Peters (LT) had limited participation in practice this week, however, Jeffery will not play on Sunday. The onset of new injuries this season led the Eagles to sign their former slot receiver Jordan Matthews earlier this week. Matthews himself is battling a hamstring injury.
Offensive Schemes
Normally this game would be marketed as a quarterback shootout between Andrew Luck and Carson Wentz, or, a coaching chess match with Frank Reich and Doug Pederson facing off. With both teams missing star players and anxious regarding their respective star QB’s health, the narrative of this game greatly changes. For both teams, their offensive strategy will be tailored to the absence of talent rather than the presence of it.
Indianapolis Colts
For the Colts, losing Doyle is a huge loss for quarterback Andrew Luck. Doyle is one of Luck’s favorite targets. The Eagles’ pass rush is one of the best in the league but their secondary has been weak this year especially in man coverage. If Luck can avoid his tendency to hold onto the ball and hit TE Eric Ebron and WR Ryant Grant for quick short throws, the Colts will gain a good momentum.
While the Colts will be without Mack, rookie running back Jordan Wilkins has been highly effective. Wilkins is averaging 4.21 yards a carry and has the potential to be a dangerous threat in the red zone. Philadelphia’s front seven typically do not allow many rushing yards, but the Colts’ O-line has shown a new athleticism and focus this year.
The number one goal for the Colts should be getting the ball to Hilton. The Eagles’ secondary has struggled against the pass this season due to lack of speed at the cornerback position as well as play calling. Eagles’ defensive coordinator, Jim Schwartz, admittedly used several coverage options this season that left Philadelphia’s DB’s vulnerable. Luck needs to be looking for holes in Philadelphia’s downfield zone coverage. In scenarios leading to a potential one-on-one coverage by CB Jalen Mill or S Malcolm Jenkins, Luck should bet on Hilton. These downfield passes in bad coverage will inevitably create big plays and be damning for the birds.
Philadelphia Eagles
The past two weeks, the Eagles’ run game has struggled with Ajayi receiving limited carries due to injuries. Now with him out, that problem only gets worse. Corey Clement has had a hard time moving the ball. Wendall Smallwood, a fumble liability, will likely get some carries this week along with newly activated Josh Adams. If the Eagles can run the ball early with some degree of success, it will take the pressure off of their O-line, specifically the LT. With the lack of available pass targets, the ground game will be needed more than ever for Wentz and Pederson this Sunday.
Wentz will be missing WR’s Torrey Smith (no longer on the team) and Alshon Jeffery (injured), who were his favorite deep ball targets. He will have Nelson Agholor, who will likely still be in the slot, and has proven an effective target for Wentz there. Agholor’s stellar ability to run routes and get open will serve Wentz well due to the lack of available receivers.
Expect a two TE lineup from Philadelphia this week with both Zach Ertz and rookie Dallas Goedert. Wentz performed well last season with this setup hitting both Ertz and Trey Burton in the mid-field and red zone. Using two TE’s in the lineup will allow Wentz to get the ball out quickly and avoid taking as many hits. These short passes from #11 consistently moved the chains for Philadelphia last year. The Eagles’ success depends on their running game being average at least and Wentz’s ability to connect for some medium to big plays.
Overview
The Eagles’ defense will likely hold the Colts to less than 21 points, leaving Wentz and the Eagles’ offense needing to score 21 points or more. Last year, the Eagles with Wentz scored less than 21 points only twice. Wentz has not played an NFL game since last December though so expectations for him are still a bit ambiguous.
Fantasy Implications
WR’s TY Hilton and Nelson Agholor should have a big this Sunday. Zach Ertz’s fantasy points are expected to climb with the return of Carson Wentz. Colts’ RB Jordan Wilkins is likely available on the waiver and could be a nice pickup for fantasy owners needing an RB2 or flex. Andrew Luck should have his best fantasy week thus far against Philadelphia’s secondary.
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