With the week 3 kick off soon approaching, it’s time to look ahead to the Eagles matchup versus the Indianapolis Colts. The Frank Reich led Colts (1-1) travel to Lincoln Financial Field to take on Doug Pederson and the Eagles (1-1) in Carson Wentz’s first game back this season. This game looks to be a tough game on the Eagles schedule as the Colts are red-hot on defense after holding the Washington Redskins without a touchdown last week. Frank Reich also seems to have insider information on the Eagles and their playbook surrounding Carson Wentz, considering he was the Eagles offensive coordinator for the past two years.
Reich stated “I have nothing but great memories and tremendous experience in the two years there. I couldn’t have a higher opinion of the organization and the people there. But at the end of the day, we are all after the same thing. I owe a lot to that organization because they helped give me the opportunity that I have right now to be the head coach here. But it’s exciting to go back and to be able to compete against the defending Super Bowl champions and that’s what we plan on doing.” (1)
Reich seems to be ready to use his seemingly stellar defensive unit to compete against the supposedly struggling Eagles offense. But after examining this game matchup by matchup, the Eagles have all the tools to surprise everyone and score at will this week.
The Colts enter this week off a big win over the Washington Redskins, in a 21-9 beatdown. A dangerously weak Washington Redskin offense was held without a touchdown. The Washington Redskins have not played their best offense in the first two weeks of the season, therefore this game did not prove anything about the Colts defense. The unit is allowing 21.5 points a game, 332 yards per game, and are 21st in 3rd down percentage. This matches up very favorably with an Eagles offense that’s returning a healthy Carson Wentz.
Although Nick Foles is a Philadelphia Eagle legend, Carson Wentz provides the Eagles a clear upgrade at quarterback. Before he got hurt, he was a frontrunner for the NFL MVP award. Wentz is the ideal game manager the Eagles need at quarterback and he runs Doug Pederson’s west coast scheme flawlessly. Wentz was a magician before getting hurt, averaging close to 7.5 yards per attempt and leading the league with 33 touchdowns and only 7 interceptions.
Admittedly, the Eagles appear to be very thin at wide receiver this week. The Eagles are without multiple top receivers such as Alshon Jeffery, Mack Hollins, and Mike Wallace. The team added Jordan Matthews recently who is close friends with Wentz, and has had his best seasons as a pro for the Eagles.
Pederson spoke highly of Matthews, stating “He was a great leader on the team, in the locker room, out on the field, his work ethic. He was all part of the process in establishing what we have today, and he’s bringing that back,” he said. “He feels that when he’s in the building and he sees it. I think it’s enhanced even more since he’s been here. He just helps us, again, enhance it even further.”
The Eagles also have star wide receiver Nelson Agholor and tight end Zach Ertz who each have a team high 16 receptions. Both have excelled with Wentz throwing them the ball, so Pederson will have plenty of opportunities expose the the Colts linebackers and safeties. Beside Darius Leonard and Malik Hooker, the Colts are surprisingly weak on defense. If the Eagles utilize a two tight end set with Dallas Goedert and Zach Ertz, Carson Wentz will have options to keep the chains moving. Even with Jay Ajayi injured, Wentz has the breakout second year player Corey Clement to be a dynamic weapon in the pass game as well.
The Eagles offense should have no trouble moving the ball against the Colts at home. With a matchup advantage all across the field, the Eagles are still in great position versus a weak Colts defense. Ertz, Agholor, Clement, and Goedert are all great options for the newly healthy Carson Wentz. Don’t worry Eagles fans. Wentz is back.
Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
