The Inquirer’s Eagles-Colts Predictions

Predictions for the Eagles-Colts game from The Inquirer’s Eagles beat reporters:

Can the Eagles stop Andrew Luck?

Jeff McLane: If the Colts can manage any semblance of a running game, I think it's going to be difficult for the Eagles to slow Luck. Given time in the pocket, the best young quarterback in the NFL can pick apart even the best defenses. But getting production from running backs Trent Richardson and Ahmad Bradshaw is a big "if," particularly against an Eagles run defense that looks as stout as it did last season. I think Luck will have to do it all -- and he nearly did it all against the Broncos last week -- and that just may be enough for Indy.

I'm not still not sold on the Eagles pass defense. I like what Bill Davis did against the Jags, especially up front. We saw more of Vinny Curry and Brandon Graham on the field, more of the athletic Mychal Kendricks as a rusher, and more changes to his blitz packages. It's the back end that worries. Reggie Wayne and T.Y. Hilton aren't what you'd call elite wide receivers, but they're a significant upgrade over Allen Hurns and Marquise Lee. Cary Williams and Nate Allen had their struggles again last week. They'll need to be more on point against the quick-throwing Luck.

Zach Berman: I don't think the Eagles will be able to "stop" Luck. If they beat the Colts, they will need the offense to outplay Indianapolis' attack. Luck is that good, and the weapons around him are better than last season. He threw for 3,822 yards and 23 touchdowns last season, and now he has Wayne and Dwayne Allen back, plus Hakeem Nicks added to the lineup. Add in Hilton and Coby Fleener, and there are enough options that should concern the Eagles.

As far Richardson, I still think there's talent there. Maybe I watched too many Alabama games and too few Browns games. He certainly hasn't warranted the hype during his NFL career. But the Eagles' problem is not stopping the run. It's stopping the pass. Luck and his targets will be too much, even if the Eagles' defensive backs play better.

Will Nick Foles bounce back against the Colts?

McLane: The simple answer: Yes. The more complicated one: I don't think it's a black or white question. I'm pretty sure we won't see a repeat of the Raiders performance last season after Foles struggled in his previous game against the Cowboys. The circumstances are obviously much different and Foles was able to figure some things out by the second half of the Jaguars game. The Eagles are sure to see more man defense against the Colts. It might make route running a little more difficult for the receivers, but I think Foles had became so used to seeing man last season that maybe he was thrown off a little by all the zone in the opener.

Vontae Davis is the Colts' best cover corner. Peyton Manning stayed away from him when the Colts and Broncos met last week. But Manning did attack the Colts' linebackers, particularly D'Qwell Jackson, and utilized the mismatch Julius Thomas created downfield. Foles found Zach Ertz for three passes last week -- all of them over 25 yards. I wouldn't be surprised to see the second-year tight end have another productive day. Foles will have a more consistent outing, but I think a truer test won't come until the Eagles face the Redskins and the 49ers over the next two weeks.

Berman: Foles is not as bad as he played in the first half last week. If he is, he will not be a starting quarterback much longer. Foles built enough equity last season that he's allowed a bad half. He does not have enough equity that he can make it a trend. That's one of the storylines I'm so interested in watching on Monday.

I think Foles plays better this week. The Eagles will see far more man-to-man coverage than last week, which is more similar to last season. At that point, it's about matchups. The Eagles have some matchups that can be exploited. You mentioned Ertz, and that's the right call. Thomas is capable of doing what he did to most defenses -- not just the Colts defense -- but when I watched that game, I saw Jackson and safety Laron Landry trying to keep up with the athletic tight end. Ertz is especially effective in the seams. That's a matchup that the Eagles will try to take advantage of on Monday. Look for him to be used in a variety of ways. I also think Sproles will be used often in the passing game.

Davis is a difficult matchup. He's one of the best cornerback the Eagles will see all season. The Colts don't have a potent pass rush with Robert Mathis out, but they have a big defensive line. Considering the Eagles have two new starting offensive line, it could be a tough night if Foles is under pressure. Bjoern Werner, a 2013 first-round pick, reportedly had a strong summer. He's certainly a player to watch on Monday.

Who will be a stud and who will be a dud for the Eagles?

McLane: I'm looking at Fletcher Cox for my stud. His performance in the opener was so dominating that I think it will carry over into Monday. He has a world of talent and I think he just needed a few confidence boosters to really take off. I'm not overly impressed with Indy's line either, particularly up the middle. Right guard Hugh Thornton is below par. Left guard Jack Mewhort is a rookie. And center A.Q. Shipley, while underrated, just came back to Indy after a season in Baltimore.

As for my dud, I'm going with someone in the Eagles secondary -- Bradley Fletcher. Chad Henne stayed away from the corner, but Hilton and Wayne should take advantage of what Fletcher lacks in foot speed.

Berman: I already mentioned Ertz, who would be my stud for this week. I can see another big game from the second-year tight end for the reasons mentioned above. For my other stud, I'll go with kicker Cody Parkey. I'm so impressed with the way he's kicking. I'll admit after that final preseason game I wondered if the Eagles went on too small of a sample size, especially with the wind that evening. But Parkey was perfect last week, and his kickoffs also helped the Eagles. If he can again kick touchbacks, it would force Luck to go 80 yards for a score.

My dud will be Cedric Thornton. And that's not necessarily because of how he'll play, but rather how much he will play. Thornton's presence is best seen against the run. This is a game in which the base defense will be more valuable. Brandon Boykin and Vinny Curry will play more on Monday in a nickel look, which will limit Thornton's production.

What's your prediction?

McLane: I picked the Eagles to win this game before this season and I see nothing to change my prediction. I think it's going to be close. I think Luck will certainly have his moments. I think Hilton and Wayne will get open against the Eagles' man corners.

But I also think Foles will settle down and hit his targets, which will create space for LeSean McCoy, who will have his first "LeSean McCoy" game of the season. The Eagles running back will run for over 100 yards, catch for another 50 and score two touchdowns as the Eagles win a shootout, 33-30.

Berman: The Colts are 13-3 at home during the past two seasons. They have quarterback that I think is among the NFL's elite. They hung in last week with the one of the NFL's two or three best teams on the road. This is a tough matchup for the Eagles. I think the Eagles will keep it close, but I'm going with the Colts in a 31-30 nail-biter.

I agree with you on McCoy. But the star of the game will be Luck. The Eagles fall to 1-1 and have a short week to prepare for Washington.