On Monday night the Vikings travel to Philadelphia to take on the Eagles in their home opener at Lincoln Financial Field at 8:30 (EST). The Eagles are a -2-point favorite and are given a 65.9% chance to win according to ESPN’s FPI. Both teams are coming off wins to start the year. The Eagles held off Detroit on the road 38-35. Minnesota on the other hand beat the Green Bay Packers 23-7 in their home opener. Head Coach Kevin O’Connell won his head coaching debut over the Vikings biggest rival. Now both teams will be put to the test in a primetime fight between projected playoff teams in week 2.
Vikings
Kevin O’Connell couldn’t have asked for a better head coaching debut. Beating Aaron Rodgers and the Packers in convincing fashion has put this team on the map. Now, the Vikings have a tall task ahead of them in the Eagles. Philadelphia scored 38 points and had 459 yards of total offense (243 passing and 216 rushing). The Vikings defense last week allowed seven points and 371 total yards of total offense (260 passing and 111 rushing). This will be a big test for the Vikings defense. Minnesota’s defense last week did force two turnovers (an interception and fumble) and scored three points off them. The Vikings would like to have a similar performance to give them the best chance at spoiling the Eagles home opener.
Offensively Minnesota did what they wanted, scoring 23 points with 403 yards of total offense (277 passing and 126 rushing). The Vikings will need to look for more than just production from Jefferson as the Eagles will be looking to shut him down Monday night. Dalvin Cook, Adam Thielen, K.J. Osborn, and Irv Smith Jr. will need to step up and help produce more if the Eagles find a way to slow down Jefferson.
What To Watch
After Justin Jefferson torched the Packers defense, Philadelphia will be doing everything they can to make sure he doesn’t do the same thing to them. With that, look for Adam Thielen and K.J Osborn to see some more action (and for the rest of the season for that matter). Kevin O’Connell should get creative with ways for these two to get the ball more, knowing that Jefferson will be drawing even more attention after exploding for 184 yards and two touchdowns in week 1.
Biggest Question
Kirk Cousins has a notorious reputation for not performing well in primetime. Cousins is 2-9 in Monday Night games in his career. It is worth noting that he has won his last two Monday night games, both against the Bears and both were in Chicago in November and December (not an easy environment to win in). Cousins on Monday night has thrown for 2,654 yards with a 63.7% completion percentage with 16 touchdowns and eight interceptions with a 89.3 passer rating. With Kevin O’Connell as the new head coach and a new offensive scheme being implemented, I am interested to see how he will do. Does his primetime struggles continue, or does he get the win? We’ll have to wait and see Monday night whether or not he can.
Injuries
The Vikings have one player on their injured list.
Questionable:
- Andrew Booth Jr. – Quadriceps (CB)
Andrew Booth Jr. was reported that he didn’t participate in Thursday’s practice.
Eagles
The Eagles on offense were great in week 1. They racked up 455 yards of total offense (239 passing and 216 rushing). Hurts threw for 243 yards and ran for another 90 and a touchdown. On the ground Sanders rushed for 96 yards on 13 carries and a touchdown. A.J Brown had ten catches for 155 yards as well. The Eagles will need to look for more than just their run game against the Vikings who shutdown Green Bay last week. Philadelphia only had two receivers who had more than 15 yards in Goedert (60) and Brown (155). Devonta Smith will need to step it up big time after a zero-catch performance on four targets.
The Eagles defense did struggle, allowing 396 yards (215 passing and 181 rushing). The biggest defensive concern was that they were out scored in the final 25 minutes 21-7. The Eagles did have a 27-yard interception return for the touchdown (and was the only turnover of the game). They will need to force a turnover or two to help them beat Minnesota.
What To Watch
Miles Sanders and Jalen Hurts in the Eagles run game is what I will be watching for on Monday. The Packers didn’t do much against the Vikings run defense but were down two offensive linemen. The Vikings held the Packers duo of Aaron Jones and A.J. Dillion to just 94 yards and the team’s only touchdown of the game. Sanders and Hurts should have a good game as their offensive line will be better than what the Vikings faced last week. I expect the Eagles run game to be sharp and help anchor a passing game that looks to improve from last week.
Biggest Question
The defense is my biggest question for the Eagles. After struggling late against Detroit, the defense will need to step up against a very good Minnesota Vikings offense. Minnesota had 403 total yards of offense with 277 passing and 126 rushing. Justin Jefferson torched the Packers secondary with 184 yards and two touchdowns. On the ground Dalvin Cook racked up 90 yards on 20 carries. Philadelphia will need to be a lot better to not fall victim like the Packers did to Jefferson and the Vikings offense. They will need a strong performance from their secondary in Darius Slay, James Bradberry, Marcus Epps, and C.J Gardner-Johnson if they look to contain the Vikings receiving core of Jefferson, Thielen, and Osborn.
Injuries
The Eagles have two players on their injured list.
Questionable
- Jack Stoll – N/A (TE)
Injured Reserve
- Derek Barnett – Knee (DE)
Jack Stoll is listed on the Eagles injured list but does not say what his injury is. The Eagles placed Barnett on the IR on Tuesday with a knee injury.
Bold Prediction
While many would be looking to see fireworks in the passing game with Hurts, Cousins, Jefferson, Brown, and Smith, it will be the running games that steals the show. My bold prediction for Monday Night’s game will be that Dalvin Cook and Miles Sanders will combine for over 200 yards and three touchdowns. Minnesota will be facing a better offensive line than the beat-up Packer one from last week and Detroit’s running back duo of Swift and Williams combined for 172 yards and three touchdowns. With that, I expect both Cook and Sanders having big games in primetime.
Betting
The following betting lines are according to ESPN’s Pick Center.
Spread:
- Philadelphia: -2.0
- Minnesota: +2.0
Money Line
- Philadelphia: -137
- Minnesota: +117
Over/Under: 50.5
Where To Watch
The Eagles and Vikings are one of two Monday Night Games in Week 2. This game will air on ABC and ESPN+. Joe Buck and Troy Aikman will call the game. To watch the game on ESPN+ you will need a subscription. Streaming Services that have ABC are fubo TV, Hulu (with live TV), and Youtube TV.
Prediction
This is going to be a good one in Philadelphia and there is no better spot for it than Monday Night (well Kirk Cousins might not agree). Both are coming off great offensive performances, but the Eagles defense didn’t look sharp against Detroit. The Vikings on the other hand shutdown the Packers, holding them to just seven points. Minnesota’s defense won’t be as dominant against a better offense, but the Eagles won’t be able to stop Justin Jefferson and the rest of the Vikings offense.
Initially, I was leaning towards the Eagles, but the Vikings have less questions than the Eagles. With that I have Minnesota going in and winning a close, back and forth game in Philly. Don’t get me wrong this is anyone’s game, and the Eagles can definitely win this, but for the moment I like Minnesota over Philadelphia. Vikings win 34-31 on a Greg Joseph game winning field goal.