NFL
By Steve Rogers
Here we are week two. This is a short week for the Vikings who are traveling to Philidelphia. They face the mighty Eagles yet again on primetime. The Eagles are the reigning NFC champs looking to return to the Super Bowl. If this is beginning to sound oddly familiar? Well, it is almost deja vu as the Minnesota Vikings went to Philidelphia last year on primetime in week two. That was on Monday Night Football this year they’re on on Thursday Night Football. Let’s hope the difference in the day itself may make a difference in how the game will turn out. Last year was a blowout embarrassment.
New Defensive System
The Vikings changed defensive coordinators in the off-season. They hired Brian Flores who is well known for being very creative with his schemes and blitz packages. Flores is a very blitz-heavy guy so that will make things look different right away here as last year the Vikings did not blitz often. In week one the Vikings blitzed on over 47% of defensive snaps. That was good for the highest blitz rate in the league. It will be interesting to see if it will be that high against the Eagles this week. Especially when you factor in how dangerous of a dual-threat quarterback Jalen Hurts is. Hurts can read defenses and has a great arm he can make any throw as well as throw on the move and has incredible chemistry with his top two wide receivers DeVonta Smith and A.J. Brown. As if that wasn’t task enough Hurts can full-on escape with his feet turn on the gas and pick up big yards on the ground too! This Vikings defense is going to have its hands full on Thursday night. Hopefully, with the report coming out that Baker Mayfield “Figured” out the Defensive signals at halftime while this is alarming, they can make the proper adjustments to better disguise them going forward.
Outlook On The Outcome
As much as this feels like a spin cycle of more of the same old same, this might play out with unexpected results. Am I outright calling my shot of an upset? By no means I am simply saying there is a different feel to this game. Players like Justin Jefferson were left with a bitter taste in their mouths last year and are looking to avenge that game here on Thursday. Motivation is always a factor for players sometimes it’s hearing about the other team trash-talking. When star players like Jefferson come to play with a chip on their shoulder it can lead to magic. This might be what is known as a “Trap” game for the Eagles who might be overlooking the Vikings. Also, The Eagle’s defense was put through the wringer by Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots offense who made the Eagles play 80 snaps on defense. On a short week conditioning and fatigue might be a factor this week. If the Vikings can make some third-down conversions and have some 8 to 12-play drives they might be able to wear out this formidable defensive front.
Here are some statistics to further illustrate why this might be closer than the seven points the Eagles are favored by. Last week the Eagle’s defense overall ranked 26th, against the run 10th but against the pass 27th and scoring is 13th. The Vikings are coming in with the third-best passing offense. Advantage Vikings. How about the opposite? The Eagle’s offense ranked 22nd overall 13th in rushing and 22nd in passing. The Vikings defense overall ranked seventh. Eighth against the run and 13th in passing. Again I’d say that’s an advantage for Minnesota. Finally, the Eagles are coming into this game a bit more banged up than the Vikings. Eagles cornerback James Bradberry suffered a concussion against the Patriots and will not play Thursday night. Giving Darius Slay the task of taking on Justin Jefferson should be fun to watch. Linebacker Nakobe Dean will miss at least four games with a foot injury after being placed on IR. Defensive tackle Fletcher Cox along with safety Reed Blankenship and runningback Kenneth Gainwell suffered rib injuries. I expect Cox to play through whatever as he has only missed five games in his 12-year career.
Game Prediction
It’s well-documented that Kirk Cousins has struggled in primetime games. So much so that it can be argued maybe he can’t see properly under all the bright lights. Perhaps he should try Jim McMahon’s visor shade? I think Cousins in year number two with head coach Kevin O’Connell’s offense this is where we see a new Cousins that delivers under these bright lights one of the best games of his career and puts some nay-sayers on notice. I don’t think this Eagle’s defense has quite gotten back to the level they were playing at last year. With that in mind, this creates the perfect opportunity to get a win while they are still finding their groove. When I started this article I was ready to concede to another Eagles thrashing but now after laying out the storylines, I think I actually like the Vikings here. This WILL NOT be a blowout for anybody. This will be a good hard game. In the end, I have the Vikings coming out on top in a close one 27-24.
