Game Preview: Eagles face Colts in Monday night showdown

Week 1 featured a less than desirable route to a season-opening win for the Eagles. The Colts drew the defending AFC Champions in their season opener and lost.

So the task for the Eagles in Week 2 is to deliver a bounce-back game against a team hungry for its first win of the season. To some, this is a team that has Super Bowl potential. That is a tall order for the Eagles this early in the season.

But that’s what awaits Chip Kelly and company on Monday night at Lucas Oil Stadium. Kickoff is at 8:30 p.m.

Andrew Luck headlines the Colts offense. After firing for 370 yards in a Week 1 loss to the Broncos, Luck is ready to return home where he has a 13-3 record.

Trent Richardson and Ahmad Bradshaw lead the running game for the Colts. The two combined for 35 rushing yards in Week 1, however, both have the capability to unleash big games.

The Colts possess a strong receiving game for Luck. Reggie Wayne has been a fixture to the Colts offense for years. T.Y. Hilton and Hakeem Nicks round out a strong top three in the receiving core. The three receivers had 19 catches last week.

Defensively, the Colts have a strong secondary led by Vontae Davis and LaRon Landry. Linebackers Robert Mathis and D’Qwell Jackson and defensive end Cory Redding round out a strong defensive Colts team. 

Game Notes

• The Eagles are 8-10 against the Indianapolis Colts all time. In Indianapolis, the Eagles are 3-5. This is the Eagles first game at Lucas Oil Stadium.
• The Eagles defeated the Colts, 26-24, in their last meeting against the Colts on Nov. 7, 2010 in Philadelphia. The Eagles last trip to Indianapolis was on Nov. 26, 2006, when they lost to the Colts, 45-21.
• The Eagles have won their last five road openers, including a Monday night win against the Redskins in Week 1 last season.
• With one takeaway, the Eagles will match a franchise record having at least one takeaway in each of their last 15 games. The previous mark was set in 2004.
• The Eagles have won eight of the last nine regular season games. In each of their last 13 games, the Eagles have not allowed a scoring drive on the opening possession of the game.
• Milestone Watch
  • Nick Foles needs 34 yards to move into 12^th place all-time in Eagles history, passing Rodney Peete.
  • Jeremy Maclin needs five catches to pass Wilbert Montgomery for 16^th all-time in Eagles history. He also needs 97 receiving yards to pass Jason Avant for 13^th all-time in team history.

Injury Report

Eagles
Out

• WR Josh Huff (shoulder)
• T Matt Tobin (ankle)

Probable

• RB Chris Polk (hamstring)
• CB Jaylen Watkins (hamstring)
• WR Brad Smith (groin)

Colts
Out

• LB Jerrell Freeman (hamstring)
• G Joseph Reitz (ankle)

Questionable

• DT Josh Chapman (ankle)
• C Khaled Holmes (ankle)
• DT Arthur Jones (shoulder)

Probable

• S Sergio Brown (shoulder)
• CB Gregory Toler (rib)

Where to Watch

TV: ESPN (Broadcasters: Mike Tirico, Jon Gruden, Lisa Salters)
Radio: 94 WIP (Merrill Reese, Mike Quick, Howard Eskin)
National Radio: Westwood One (Kevin Harlan, Kurt Warner, Mark Malone)

Kevin Durso is a contributor for Eagledelphia. Follow him on Twitter @KDursoPhilsNet.