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Eagle Keys:

Here are some key matchups that may determine the outcome of the Eagles-Colts game: Eagles CB Dimitri Patterson vs. Colts QB Peyton Manning The first start of Patterson's career comes against the best passer of this generation. It doesn't matter which receivers are healthy: Manning will find them, and you can bet he will find Patterson.

Here are some key matchups that may determine the outcome of the Eagles-Colts game:

Eagles CB Dimitri Patterson vs. Colts QB Peyton Manning

The first start of Patterson's career comes against the best passer of this generation. It doesn't matter which receivers are healthy: Manning will find them, and you can bet he will find Patterson. The special-teams ace plays a physical style and had an interception while covering Michael Crabtree earlier this year. He will need to show his skills for the Eagles to slow down the Colts' receivers, whoever they are.

Manning vs. Eagles defensive coordinator Sean McDermott

Manning is so important to the Colts he figures into two of our pairings. The Eagles' defense will try to throw different looks at Manning to keep him from dissecting the game plan. As great as the quarterback is, he's even better in the fourth quarter: His passer rating in the final 15 minutes is 111, even better than his 101.4 overall, and he's thrown five of his 15 touchdowns in the fourth quarter. If the Eagles have a late lead, can McDermott's "D" finally slam the door?

Eagles DE Trent Cole vs. Colts T Charlie Johnson

The Colts have allowed seven sacks, fewest in the league. It's tough to stop Manning when he's that comfortable. The Eagles will need Cole - with his six sacks - to create pressure, so expect them to move him around. His primary obstacle should be Johnson, the Colts' left tackle. The Eagles will need their front four to apply the pressure since blitzing extra men could leave the secondary vulnerable.

Eagles T Jason Peters vs. Colts DE Dwight Freeney and Eagles T Winston Justice vs. Colts DE Robert Mathis

The Colts don't blitz much, but with these two ends, they don't have to. Mathis and Freeney are first and second, respectively, in the league in strip sacks over the last eight years, according to Eagles offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg. Freeney has five sacks this season and faces Peters, who is returning from knee surgery. Welcome back. Mathis has 51/2 sacks. With the lefty Michael Vick quarterbacking, Justice will be protecting the blind side, making his play even more crucial.

Colts LB Gary Brackett vs. Eagles RB LeSean McCoy

McCoy has been the Eagles' most reliable weapon and is averaging 4.5 yards-per-carry while adding a team-best 38 catches. The Colts defense, meanwhile, is fifth-worst in rushing yards allowed per game. If the Eagles want to keep Manning off the field, running behind McCoy makes sense. The always active Brackett is a defensive leader for the Colts and ranks second on the team in solo and assisted tackles. Expect the Glassboro native and Rutgers product to try to contain McCoy. Few have.