2018 Week 3: Colts vs. Eagles 2nd Half Open Thread — Colts behind 7-10

The sloppy field conditions have been a fitting foreshadowing for a sloppy football game. The Eagles have hurt themselves with clock management, disorganization, and costly penalties. The Colts have failed to get anything going on offense of any substance and they are getting obliterated statistically.

Half time adjustments will ultimately have a big impact on the outcome of this game. Doug Pederson vs. Frank Reich. Can the Colts get the second half monkey off their their back for a second straight week? Can they stop the Eagles initial drive in the second half?

Keep Carson Wentz uncomfortable

The Colts did a reasonable job getting some pressure on Wentz after an awful effort on the first drive. Most of the pressure was partially due to good coverage in the secondary. One of the limitations for the Eagles right now is that they’re very tight end reliant without a lot of weapons at receiver who are healthy and in game shape.

Kemoko Turay was credited with his first career sack and Jihad Ward had a sack waved off due to a defensive holding penalty on Kenny Moore. Jabaal Sheard just missed on picking up his second sack of the season as the half was drawing to an end, when Carson Wentz escaped and scrambled for a first down. The next play Sheard made up for his miss the previous play.

Limit Zach Ertz

It should come as no surprise that the Eagles planned to get their tight ends involved in the offense early and often. Carson Wentz returned to the field for the first time since he suffered a torn ACL and relying on big bodied pass-catchers like Zach Ertz. Three different tight ends caught pases in the first quarter alone, including rookie Dallas Goedert who scored his first career touchdown.

Win the turnover battle

While there are no turnovers in the game at this point, I feel even stronger about the importance of this area of the game today. If the Colts can force a turnover and keep it clean on offense, it will go a long way in their bid for an upset.

Stay balanced on offense

If we’re being totally honest, the Colts offense has been balanced in that neither the passing game nor running game is particularly effective. Indianapolis has called 10 passing plays against only five runs - and Luck’s scramble is easily the Colts biggest contribution on the ground. There will need to be second half adjustments if Luck and the offense hope to get anything going.

Hit Field Goals

Remember that Jake Elliott missed a long field goal try that would have put the Colts in a more difficult situation. Instead, he missed and gave the Colts offense excellent field position. In wet game conditions, field position and field goals will likely play a big role in the outcome.