Offensive MVP
Quarterback- Nick Foles
Despite passing for over 300 yards and two touchdowns, Foles played very poorly last week against Jacksonville. He totaled three turnovers in the game, fumbling the ball on each of the Eagle’s first two drives and throwing an interception in the endzone. He missed clearly open receivers throughout the game, consistently overthrowing receivers on deep passes. Foles will fair better against the Colts. The Colts’ defensive scheme relies on man coverage, much different than the Jaguars zone heavy defense. The Eagles' s offense can be dominant against man coverage defenses because of the spacing Chip Kelly creates by spreading his receivers . Also, the Colts will be without starting linebacker Jerrel Freeman due to injury, thrusting reserve linebacker Andy Studebreaker in a starting role. The loss of Freeman will compound the fact that the Colts’ linebackers do not cover well, so running backs LeSean “Shady” McCoy and Darren Sproles should have field days as receivers out of the backfield, allowing Foles to make easy completions. Last week Foles was under constant duress in the pocket, being sacked five times. He should have a more time to throw against the Colts, as the Colts only recorded one sack last week and are now without All-Pro pass rusher Robert Mathis who tore his achilles during a workout earlier this week. Expect Foles to cross 400 yards passing and be limited to only one turnover.
Defensive MVP
Cornerback- Brandon Boykin
After seeing little playing time last week, Boykin is poised for a big game. Against the Jaguars Boykin, the Eagles nickelback, did not play because the jaguars very rarely went to three-receiver sets, which prompted the Eagles to stay in there base defense. However against the Colts, who go to the three-receiver sets often, we should see the Eagles leave their base defense in favor of their nickel defense. Boykin led the Eagles in interceptions last season with six, and he played well when given opportunities. Due to the increased playing time, Boykin should making a few game changing plays. Expect Boykin to finish with two interceptions with one of them coming in the final two minutes to seal the Victory for the eagles.
Special Teams MVP
Punt returner- Darren Sproles
Sproles displayed his speed and quickness against the Jaguars, averaging 15.5 yards per punt return. Expect Sproles to return a punt all the way to the endzone.
X-factor
Defensive tackle- Fletcher Cox
The Eagles need the front seven to perform, and Cox is the cog pin that makes the front seven go. When Cox is able to cause penetration and take on multiple blockers allowing the linebackers free releases into the backfield. Last week Cox played well, recording six tackles and by creating penetration. Expect Cox to play well again recording at least five tackles and one sack.
Final Prediction
This Monday Night Football matchup should be closely contested and high scoring. If the Eagles can overcome the offensive line injuries and keep Foles upright in the pocket, the Eagles’ offense should be able to pick apart the Colts defense. Reserve lineman Dennis Kelly and Andrew Garner are starting in place of All-Pro left guard Evan Mathis and right tackle Alan Barbe, respectively. On the other side of the ball, the Eagles will struggle containing Andrew Luck and the Colts’ offense. Receivers T.Y. Hilton and Reggie Wayne poise a serious threat to the Eagles’ defensive backs. Defensively, the Eagles’ front seven should be able to contain the Colts’ running game since Colts' running back Trent Richardson has been underperforming, making the Colts’ offense one-dimensional. Expect a close high scoring game, in which the Eagles began to pull away in the fourth quarter if they can keep their turnover count down.
FINAL SCORE- Eagles 38- Colts 31
Other Notes
Around the league this week, there has been talk of a new drug policy that will reinstate some currently suspended players. This will not affect Eagles’ right tackle Lane Johnson who will have to continue serving his four-game suspension. The new policy does not affect suspensions pertaining to performance enhancing drugs.
The Eagles added former ACC senior replay official Frank Kosman to their coaching staff, on Sept 10.
Quarterback- Nick Foles
Despite passing for over 300 yards and two touchdowns, Foles played very poorly last week against Jacksonville. He totaled three turnovers in the game, fumbling the ball on each of the Eagle’s first two drives and throwing an interception in the endzone. He missed clearly open receivers throughout the game, consistently overthrowing receivers on deep passes. Foles will fair better against the Colts. The Colts’ defensive scheme relies on man coverage, much different than the Jaguars zone heavy defense. The Eagles' s offense can be dominant against man coverage defenses because of the spacing Chip Kelly creates by spreading his receivers . Also, the Colts will be without starting linebacker Jerrel Freeman due to injury, thrusting reserve linebacker Andy Studebreaker in a starting role. The loss of Freeman will compound the fact that the Colts’ linebackers do not cover well, so running backs LeSean “Shady” McCoy and Darren Sproles should have field days as receivers out of the backfield, allowing Foles to make easy completions. Last week Foles was under constant duress in the pocket, being sacked five times. He should have a more time to throw against the Colts, as the Colts only recorded one sack last week and are now without All-Pro pass rusher Robert Mathis who tore his achilles during a workout earlier this week. Expect Foles to cross 400 yards passing and be limited to only one turnover.
Defensive MVP
Cornerback- Brandon Boykin
After seeing little playing time last week, Boykin is poised for a big game. Against the Jaguars Boykin, the Eagles nickelback, did not play because the jaguars very rarely went to three-receiver sets, which prompted the Eagles to stay in there base defense. However against the Colts, who go to the three-receiver sets often, we should see the Eagles leave their base defense in favor of their nickel defense. Boykin led the Eagles in interceptions last season with six, and he played well when given opportunities. Due to the increased playing time, Boykin should making a few game changing plays. Expect Boykin to finish with two interceptions with one of them coming in the final two minutes to seal the Victory for the eagles.
Special Teams MVP
Punt returner- Darren Sproles
Sproles displayed his speed and quickness against the Jaguars, averaging 15.5 yards per punt return. Expect Sproles to return a punt all the way to the endzone.
X-factor
Defensive tackle- Fletcher Cox
The Eagles need the front seven to perform, and Cox is the cog pin that makes the front seven go. When Cox is able to cause penetration and take on multiple blockers allowing the linebackers free releases into the backfield. Last week Cox played well, recording six tackles and by creating penetration. Expect Cox to play well again recording at least five tackles and one sack.
Final Prediction
This Monday Night Football matchup should be closely contested and high scoring. If the Eagles can overcome the offensive line injuries and keep Foles upright in the pocket, the Eagles’ offense should be able to pick apart the Colts defense. Reserve lineman Dennis Kelly and Andrew Garner are starting in place of All-Pro left guard Evan Mathis and right tackle Alan Barbe, respectively. On the other side of the ball, the Eagles will struggle containing Andrew Luck and the Colts’ offense. Receivers T.Y. Hilton and Reggie Wayne poise a serious threat to the Eagles’ defensive backs. Defensively, the Eagles’ front seven should be able to contain the Colts’ running game since Colts' running back Trent Richardson has been underperforming, making the Colts’ offense one-dimensional. Expect a close high scoring game, in which the Eagles began to pull away in the fourth quarter if they can keep their turnover count down.
FINAL SCORE- Eagles 38- Colts 31
Other Notes
Around the league this week, there has been talk of a new drug policy that will reinstate some currently suspended players. This will not affect Eagles’ right tackle Lane Johnson who will have to continue serving his four-game suspension. The new policy does not affect suspensions pertaining to performance enhancing drugs.
The Eagles added former ACC senior replay official Frank Kosman to their coaching staff, on Sept 10.