You’d think a game between two teams that play in different conferences and barely see each other would be a "business as usual" affair. It’s not. When the Philadelphia Eagles vs Colts appears on the schedule, things usually descend into absolute chaos.
Think back to 2022. The Eagles were 8-1 and looking like a juggernaut. The Colts were... well, they had just hired Jeff Saturday off a TV set to be their head coach. It should have been a blowout. Instead, it was a 17-16 slog where Jalen Hurts had to scramble for a touchdown with 80 seconds left just to escape with a win. That is the DNA of this matchup. It's gritty, it’s rarely pretty, and it almost always feels personal.
A History Defined by Narrow Margins
If you look at the all-time record, it’s about as even as it gets. Depending on how far back you go—back to when the Colts were in Baltimore—the series is virtually a coin flip. Philadelphia currently holds a razor-thin edge with 15 wins to Indianapolis' 14 (plus a lonely tie from 1997).
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What’s wild is the lack of "middle ground" in these games.
Usually, the Philadelphia Eagles vs Colts ends in one of two ways: a total blowout or a heart-attack finish. In 2006, Peyton Manning absolutely dismantled the Birds 45-21. Then you have the 2014 game where Darren Sproles looked like he was playing at a different speed than everyone else, leading a comeback that ended in a 30-27 Philly win. There is no such thing as a "safe" lead when these two meet.
The Coaching Carousel Connection
The real spice in this rivalry isn't just on the field; it’s the weird, incestuous relationship between the coaching staffs. Honestly, it’s like they just swap personnel every few years.
- Nick Sirianni: Before he was wearing the visor in Philly, he was the offensive coordinator for the Colts.
- Shane Steichen: He went the other way. He was the mastermind behind the Eagles’ 2022 Super Bowl run offense and jumped ship to become the Colts' head coach.
- Frank Reich: The man who coordinated the Eagles to their only Super Bowl ring was the head coach in Indy for years.
When these teams play, they aren't just reading scouting reports. They are playing against guys who know their deepest tendencies. Steichen knows exactly how Sirianni wants to attack a defense. Sirianni knows Steichen’s "go-to" plays in the red zone. It’s a chess match where both players have seen the other’s notebook.
Looking at the 2026 Landscape
As we move into 2026, the stakes are shifting. The Colts are coming off a frustrating 8-9 season in 2025, a year marked by a brutal late-season collapse where they lost seven straight. Shane Steichen and GM Chris Ballard are officially on the hot seat. They need wins, and they need them now.
The Eagles, meanwhile, are in "reload" mode. They’ve been aggressive in the 2026 offseason, already signing over a dozen players to reserve/future contracts, including intriguing names like RB Carson Steele and LB Jose Ramirez. While the core of Jalen Hurts and A.J. Brown remains, the depth is being rebuilt from the ground up.
Key Matchups to Watch
When the Philadelphia Eagles vs Colts kicks off in the 2026 season, the battle in the trenches will be where it's won. The Colts' defense finished 13th in points allowed last year but struggled mightily on third downs. Ballard has already stated that adding youth to the defensive line is their number one priority this offseason.
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- Anthony Richardson vs. The Eagles’ Secondary: If Richardson is healthy, he’s a nightmare. His ability to extend plays is exactly what the Eagles’ defense has struggled with historically.
- Saquon Barkley vs. The Colts’ Front Seven: If the Colts don’t fix their interior, Saquon will have a field day.
- The "Steichen Factor": How much of the Eagles' current offensive rhythm is still based on the foundation Steichen built? Expect some exotic looks designed specifically to confuse Hurts.
What Most People Get Wrong
People assume the "Home Field Advantage" is everything here. It's actually not. Some of the Eagles' biggest wins have come at Lucas Oil Stadium (or the old RCA Dome), and the Colts have a history of walking into Lincoln Financial Field and silencing the Linc.
This isn't a "rivalry" in the sense of the NFC East, but there’s a level of professional disrespect that makes it feel like one. It's about proving who has the better system. The "Colts Way" vs. the "Philly Standard."
Actionable Insights for the 2026 Matchup
If you’re betting on this game or just trying to win your fantasy league, keep these things in mind:
- Monitor the Injury Report: Both teams have struggled with key injuries in their recent head-to-heads. A missing left tackle in this matchup is usually a death sentence.
- Look at the Third Down Stats: The Colts’ inability to get off the field on third down was their undoing in 2025. If they haven't fixed that by the time they play Philly, the Eagles will just bleed the clock.
- Check the Weather for Philly: If the game is in Philadelphia late in the year, the "speed" advantage of the Colts' turf-bred offense tends to vanish in the cold, wet grass of South Philly.
The 2026 meeting is set to be a pivotal "prove it" game for both franchises. For Indianapolis, it’s about saving jobs. For Philadelphia, it’s about maintaining dominance in a wide-open NFC. No matter the record, expect it to be weird.
Keep an eye on the official NFL schedule release this spring to see if this game lands in a primetime slot. Given the coaching connections, the league rarely passes up the chance to put these two on a national stage.