The NFL season is finally here! Well, the NFL preseason, that is. Nevertheless, we’re just glad to see some gridiron action after a long and interesting offseason.
Football fans will be in for a treat as two of last season’s best offenses go head-to-head in the final game of Week 1 of the preseason. Both the Indianapolis Colts and the Philadelphia Eagles have made waves with their offseason movements, so let’s take a glimpse of what’s ahead for the two revamped rosters this coming Sunday.
Catch more of the NFL preseason action happening on Saturday with our previews of Kansas City vs. Arizona and Tampa Bay vs. Minnesota.
[sc:Football ]Indianapolis Colts vs. Philadelphia Eagles Preview
Where: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia
When: Sunday, August 16, 1:00 PM ET
Line: Indianapolis Colts (+4) vs. Philadelphia Eagles (-4); Total: 42.0 – view all NFL lines
Betting on the Indianapolis Colts
A plethora of injuries to both young and old players alike on the Indianapolis Colts roster has the team in a peculiar situation ahead of their first preseason game as they lose a great opportunity to test their depth across all positions.
[sc:NFL240banner ]However, roster depth should be the least of Indy’s worries right now. The team’s go-for-broke deals with its veteran signings during the offseason should be tested first and foremost on Sunday before the real NFL season begins. Expect to see more snaps than usual this entire preseason for experienced offensive acquisitions, wide receiver Andre Johnson and running back Frank Gore.
Although both Gore and Johnson are nearing the twilight of their respective careers, they still have to get accustomed to the Colts’ system before taking full flight in September, and the preseason should get them tuned up properly. Head coach Chuck Pagano has got to be careful not to overwork his two prized pick-ups, though.
If there’s one young blood that needs to get his veins pumping for some professional action, though, look no further than Indy’s first-round pick from this year’s draft , wide receiver Phillip Dorsett. In three seasons playing for the Miami Hurricanes, Dorsett accumulated 121 receptions for 2,132 yards and 17 touchdowns. Look for the rookie to challenge fellow wideout Donte Moncrief for the WR3/slot receiver spot behind Johnson and standout T.Y. Hilton.
Over on defense, the Colts did very little to infuse their unit with young talent. Instead, they banked on linebacker Trent Cole (6.5 sacks and three forced fumbles in 2014) in free agency to upgrade their line-backing corps.
One thing’s for certain: Cole will be electrified to see his former team of his nine-year career across the field for the first time on Sunday. The former Philly standout should be the defensive anchor that the Colts envisioned him to be, especially with 13-year Indy stalwart Robert Mathis still expected to be sidelined until late September.
Betting on the Philadelphia Eagles
Similar to Indianapolis, the Philadelphia Eagles did more win-now moves during the offseason than looking towards building a brighter future. Take head coach Chip Kelly’s precarious decision to pick up two players coming from serious ACL injuries in Kiko Alonso and Sam Bradford as examples.
Alonso was acquired from Buffalo in the LeSean McCoy trade, but missed the entire 2014 season because of said ACL injury. The second-year linebacker has great upside, though, as his 2013 season stats for the Bills would suggest. He had 87 solo tackles, a pair of sacks, one fumble forced and two recoveries. What’s even better is that Alonso has great hands – considering that he’s a lineman – with his four interceptions from that year.
Alonso should get his motorsrunning this Sunday to shake off the cobwebs from his extended period of absence. Joining him in the spotlight of Philly’s D this preseason are three rookie cornerbacks in Eric Rowe, Randall Evans and JaCorey Shepherd. With Shepherd most recently suffering a torn ACL of his own, it seems as if Rowe and Evans will be left to fight for the last starting corner spot opposite of former Seattle Legion of Boom member Byron Maxwell.
Let’s not forget the biggest concern for the Eagles, which is their starting quarterback in Sam Bradford. Bradford, when healthy, can be touted as a very solid quarterback; he passed for over 3,500 yards in his two full seasons as a starter. However, it will come as no surprise anymore if he suffers another major injury to end his debut season in Philly. Expect Bradford to take little to no snaps this Sunday as a precaution, and more of his backups Mark Sanchez and *gasp* Tim Tebow as the shot-callers instead.
On the receiving end, look for rookie wideout Nelson Agholor to bump off Riley Cooper for the WR2 spot on the depth chart. Agholor made 104 catches for 1,313 yards and 12 touchdowns in his senior year in USC. And if he has proven to be ripe for a starting wideout nod, Philly could still make use of him on special teams. The 20th-overall pick from this year’s draft amassed 24 return touchdowns (20 from punts and four from kickoffs) in his three seasons with the Trojans.
Writer’s Prediction
Sparks will fly in this coin-toss of a shootout. Home team Philly narrowly edges out Indy, 34-31.
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