Bradford’s big night gives Eagles 33-23 win at Indianapolis

Consider it a case of déjà vu. Color us concerned. Red flags are waving. Nothing will be more important for the Colts defense than sacks and pressures, and with Mathis at 35, it’s as likely as not there will be stretches where the Colts will have to succeed without him to compete for a playoff spot.

Eagles: The depth chart at receiver may be tougher to sort out now. At the time it looked like the sky was the limit for the former Marshall University product. A second-quarter hit by Eagles Pro Bowl tackle Fletcher Cox was especially forceful, and probably convinced Chuck Pagano to keep Luck on the sideline for the start of the third quarter. Some of it lies in the second half, when players desperate for attention try to earn some. “There’s way too much penetration”. Not surprisingly, the herky-jerky offensive couldn’t overcome the self-inflicted wounds. Not only is he a valuable special teams player, but Todman also showcased his value to the team with a 42-yard catch-and-run touchdown against the Buffalo Bills in the Colts’ preseason opener.

And the offense still had trouble finishing what it started.

But for the Indianapolis Colts, it’s become a yearly occurrence that key members of the organization have missed some time since general manager Ryan Grigson, coach Chuck Pagano and quarterback Andrew Luck arrived in 2012. Adam Vinatieri had to clean up with a 22-yard field goal. The offense marched up and down in the field as the starters played into the third quarter and the defense had two telling moments in a strong first half. Luck was pressured into a fourth-down incompletion despite taking a two-step drop. Joe Reitz has missed practice and could be replaced by rookie Le’Raven Clark. “Really, as much as anything, you want to put guys in position to find out what they can do”.

Despite the Eagles saying for months that Sam Bradford was still the starting quarterback, it looked like there would be a competition for the job after they traded up to draft Carson Wentz with the No. 2 pick. Bradford was afforded a calm passing pocket and took advantage by dissecting the Colts’ depleted secondary.

On the same drive Robert Turbin had an 81-yard touchdown run called back by a holding penalty behind the play against Phillip Dorsett, Donte Moncrief gave up on a fade route in the end zone, gift-wrapping a drive-killing interception to Nolan Carroll early in the third quarter.

Huff acknowledged last week that he was aware that there were questions about his spot on the 53-man roster.

Bradford went to Huff early as Huff caught a short pass over the middle, then turned on his speed and turned it into a 38-yard gain with former University of DE star Mike Adams finally pulling him down at the Colts’ 22.

Medical update: The offensive line might have taken another hit. The extent of the injury wasn’t immediately known, but losing Mewhort for any length of time would be a major blow. Andrew Luck struggled with injuries and turnovers previous year, and missed nine games. “Between the first group, the second group and the third group, there may be things that you’re happy with and there will be things that you’re not happy with”, Chudzinski explained.

And he was the only Colts quarterback to direct a series that reached the end zone against Philly (3-0).