The Indianapolis Colts have new life after beginning the season 0-2 and rebounding to 2-2 against one team missing their best wide receiver and another playing with a third-string quarterback. Sometimes, breaks are what get a team to the playoffs, and Indy might get one with the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 14.
Philly, you see, has lost not one offensive lineman but two this week, and those players won't be returning. Right tackle Lane Johnson, who is arguably a future Pro Football Hall of Famer, retired for personal reasons on Tuesday. On Wednesday, Philadelphia traded offensive lineman Cam Jurgens to the Baltimore Ravens.
Jurgens was an exceptional center that the Eagles decided to move to left guard in Week 2 this season. After the move, he was atrocious. Before the move, he was a Pro Bowler. Literally. Why Philly wasn't quick to move Jurgens back was because they thought he was dispensable.
Indianapolis Colts could be facing a diminished Philadelphia Eagles in Week 14
Jurgens was dealt for a 2027 seventh-round pick and a 2028 second-round selection to the Baltimore Ravens. That might be a steal for Baltimore if Jurgens moves back to center. At least, Indianapolis no longer needs to worry about the Ravens in the regular season, as the teams met in Week 1.
Ultimately, Philadelphia has lost two of its front five offensive linemen just four games into the season, and the group has long been a strength of the team. That doesn't mean Philly won't still have a good O-line that the Colts would need to attack in Week 14 when the teams meet at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, but they won't have an elite one.
The Indianapolis Colts' defensive line is one of the strengths of the team. While DeForest Buckner, Grover Stewart, and Adetomiwa Adebawore might have success against any offensive line, one without Johnson and Jurgens (at least at center) should have an easier path to success.
Does that mean an automatic win for the Colts in Week 14? No, we are still a long way away from that, and anything can happen before then. But looking into the future, Indy's game against Philly definitely looks easier at this point.
That is a good sign for a team that has to make the playoffs this season, or important people could start losing their jobs. If Indianapolis sits home once the playoffs start, head coach Shane Steichen and general manager Chris Ballard could lose their jobs. A win in Week 14 against the Eagles in Philadelphia should help avoid that worst-case scenario.
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