Eagles vs Colts Unforgettable History
If you make a list of the great rivalries in NFL history, you probably won’t find the Philadelphia Eagles and Indianapolis Colts anywhere near the top of the list. However, the two franchises share an interesting history that dates back to 1950 when the Colts were located in Baltimore. Back then, the Eagles and Colts were regional rivals that were only separated by about 100 miles. Even nowadays when the teams only cross paths every few years, the Colts and Eagles always seem to play competitive and memorable games. In fact, getting your hands on Indianapolis Colts at Philadelphia Eagles tickets is like receiving an invitation to an instant classic waiting to happen. To show you what we mean, let’s take a look at some of the amazing moments in Eagles-Colts history.
Eagles 20, Colts 16 (2018)
In the most recent Eagles-Colts game, the two teams met in Week 3 of the 2018 season. Both sides entered the game at 1-1 with Philadelphia quarterback Carson Wentz eager to prove himself after missing out on the team’s run to the Super Bowl the previous season. Wentz didn’t exactly have a fun day, as he was sacked five times. On the other hand, he threw for 255 yards while getting plenty of support from running backs Corey Clement and Wendell Smallwood, with Smallwood scoring the game-winning touchdown in the fourth quarter to put the Eagles up 20-16.
However, it was the Philadelphia defense that stole the show against Andrew Luck and the Colts. Luck managed just 164 passing yards. Also, the Indy rushing attack was stopped to the point that Luck was also the team’s leading rusher. The Colts would spiral after the loss, losing four in a row. Of course, they went onto win nine of their last 10 games to make the playoffs, as did the Eagles in the NFC.
Colts 24, Eagles 23 (1990)
Indianapolis won this game by a single point; and did they ever need it. The Colts visited old Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia in Week 4 after starting the season 0-3. Granted, the Eagles were just 1-2 and almost as desperate for a win. That desperation showed early, as the teams exchanged scores before the Eagles took a 20-10 lead early in the third quarter.
Alas, it was not meant to be for the Eagles. Indianapolis quarterback Jack Trudeau threw for 329 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winner to Bill Brooks on the final play of the game to tie the game at 23. With the PAT, the Colts won the game 24-23 in what amounted to a huge upset. In the end, it wasn’t enough to get the Colts to the playoffs that year, but it helped them avoid a disastrous season and win in compelling fashion over the Eagles.
Eagles 30, Colts 27 (2014)
This was another early-season meeting between the Eagles and Colts. Indy was desperate for a win after losing to the Broncos in Week 1 while the Eagles beat Jacksonville convincingly to open their season. Andrew Luck was sharp early, helping Indy lead 20-6 early in the third quarter. At that point, they looked good to steal a win on the road.
However, the Eagles didn’t let their home fans down. Behind Nick Foles, they scored 24 unanswered points to take a 30-20 lead. A late touchdown from Indianapolis wasn’t enough, as Foles threw for 331 yards in the game, with 152 of those yards going to diminutive running back Darren Sproles. The win helped the Eagles start the year 5-1 before a late-season collapse cost them a playoff spot. On the other hand, the Colts came back from a 0-2 start to win the AFC South and eventually reach the AFC Championship Game.
Colts 22, Eagles 21 (1983)
This was the last game the Colts and Eagles played as regional rivals before the Colts left Baltimore and moved to Indianapolis the following year. Neither team would end up in the playoffs this year, but it was a compelling meeting nonetheless. The teams went back and forth in the first half with the Colts leading 16-14 at halftime.
The Eagles would score the only touchdown of the second half on a pass from Ron Jaworski to Harold Carmichael, who had a passing touchdown in the first half on a trick play. However, despite Baltimore quarterback Mike Pagel finishing the game with just 29 passing yards, the Colts got two field goals in the second half to eke out a 22-21 win. For the Eagles, it became the third of seven straight losses and nine of 10 losses to close out the year. Meanwhile, the Colts would go 2-5 down the stretch after winning in Philadelphia.
Eagles 26, Colts 24 (2010)
This might be the best game between the Colts and Eagles, at least since the turn of the century. The game featured Peyton Manning and Michael Vick as the two starting quarterbacks. Obviously, these two quarterbacks couldn’t be any more different, which is why this was such a fascinating matchup, especially the way the game played out.
The Eagles jumped out to a 13-0 lead early, only to see Indy strike back right away and lead 17-16 at halftime. However, it was Vick who took control of the game in the second half, scoring a rushing touchdown early in the fourth quarter to give Philadelphia a 26-17 lead that held up despite a late score from the Colts. In the end, Vick finished with 218 passing yards and another 74 rushing yards while Manning threw two interceptions. The game helped solidify Vick’s spot as the starting quarterback in Philadelphia for the next several seasons. It was also turned Vick’s story into a great redemption tale after his time in prison.