The Eagles and Colts converge week 3 in the NFL and the story of the week is the return of Carson Wentz. Cleared for contact at a little over the nine-month mark from his ACL/LCL surgery, Wentz is ready to resume the helm of the Eagles franchise.
The Colts are coming off an impressive upset of the Washington Redskins on the road in week 2. Andrew Luck, now believed to be fully recovered from the shoulder injury/surgeries that cost him the 2017 campaign, will try to lead them to a second straight road win.
The Colts will come to the Linc in Philadelphia limping with starters OT Anthony Castonzo, TE Jack Doyle, RB Marlon Mack and Hassan Ridgeway ruled out for the game. The Eagles will be without Darren Sproles (hamstring) and Jay Ajayi (back) both listed as out, with Alshon Jeffrey, Corey Clement and Jason Peters all questionable. Of the three questionables, both Peters (quad) and Clement (quadriceps) should be good to go for the game. Alshon is still making his way back from rotator cuff surgery from the offseason and it would seem that a game 4 target against the Titans is more realistic. Jeffrey still needs to be officially cleared for contact. With the Colts missing their left tackle and their primary blocking tight-end in Doyle, it could be a long day for Luck against the vaunted Philadelphia defensive front. That front did not get it done in the near 100 degree temperature last week against Tampa Bay, and needs to return back to the form they had against Atlanta in the season opener. The Redskins did not get much pressure against Luck and the Colts last week, as well as being inept in sustaining offensive drives themselves, which resulted in an upset in their home opener. With the combination of the rabid excitement that accompanies Wentz’s return and the Eagles defense wanting to redeem themselves from Ryan Fitzpatrick’s assault, the feeling is it could be a long day for the Colts. Although Wentz will be missing weapons in Sproles, Ajayi, Jeffrey and Mike Wallace (injured reserve, fractured fibula), he should be able to manufacture enough offense that will result in a victory. Our prediction is Eagles 27-14.