Improvements on Both Sides
Both Minnesota and Philadelphia used their offseason’s wisely to improve their respective rosters. The Vikings’ re-tooled defensive line, including EDGE Za’Darius Smith and tackle Harrison Phillips, were crucial to the win over the Packers. Coincidentally, those two players combined on the goal line stop of AJ Dillon in the second quarter. With the addition of healthy Danielle Hunter, the improved Vikings D-line is significantly stronger from last season’s most flawed group. This version should be much better equipped to handle the ground game of Jalen Hurts and Myles Sanders.
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Vikings fans should also be excited about the Goblin, 1st round pick Lewis Cine, who should be back in action this week. One of the nastiest college safeties during his Georgia career, Cine was an X-factor in the National and SEC Championship. Personally thought this was one of the most underrated draft picks in years when Minnesota got him with pick 32. Get very excited to see this closing speed and tackling in the secondary for years to come.
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Regardless of their shootout with Detroit, Philadelphia’s defense on paper is miles better than last season’s. They had a top ranked draft class, and their rookies will make greater impact as the season progresses. Tackle Jordan Davis is essentially the Hulk and should be playing as many reps as he can handle.
The Georgia behemoth played less than a third of their defensive snaps against Detroit, and the impact is absurd. Dave Zangrano of NBC Sports Philadelphia found that Davis played the least reps of any Eagles tackle in the first game. The yards per rush attempt with him off the field was 7 yards more than when he was playing, (3.1 with – 9.9 without).
Other Additions
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New addition James Bradberry has this pick-6 already, while linebackers Haason Reddick and Kyzir White also look to factor. Shoutout to Red Raider product and current Eagles corner Zech McPherson for winning NFC Special Teams Player of the Week. Check out the matchup for Texas Tech vs. NC State here.
Solving AJ Brown with Improved Vikings
However, the Eagles biggest new addition is clearly wideout AJ Brown, who went off for 10 catches and over 150 yards Week 1. While the new additions have shored up the trenches, Minnesota still looked vulnerable in coverage last weekend. Aaron Rodgers just didn’t have any help from his wideouts at all.
Look, he is probably a Hall of Famer, but corner Patrick Peterson does not have the juice anymore. He would’ve been burnt toast on the first play Sunday if a rookie receiver doesn’t have a horrific drop. Peterson is still the number one corner, and leaving him solely manned up with Brown would be a nightmare.
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There must be safety help on AJ regardless of where he lines up against the Vikings’ zone defense. However, Peterson still sticks with receivers at times based on his pedigree and a plan is needed if that is the case. Keeping corner Cam Dantzler with Devonta Smith when they flip is essential because of the size-based matchups. Dantzler and Smith are both slighter builds, while Peterson and Brown are much more physical presences. The zone safety looks should force things underneath and help Peterson handle the game breaker AJ Brown.
How Minnesota Comes Away 2-0
Start with getting the Eagles D moving laterally using the offensive scheme, screens, quick passes out to receivers, and motions or reverses. Keeping the talented pass rushers off Kirk Cousins has to be a top priority, and will help open up deeper throws. Getting the Pro-Bowl corners Slay and Bradberry looking in the backfield is vital to Minnesota receivers getting going downfield.
A heavy dose of Dalvin Cook is crucial to success on the offensive side of the ball Monday night. Especially if the Eagles don’t want to play Jordan Davis enough, force them to respect the run early. Justin Jefferson got hilariously open in play-action vs. Green Bay, forcing the defense to commit to the run opens those calls.
The Eagles are only a slight favorite of -1.5 in this matchup, surprising considering how they nearly choked to the Lions. This much improved Vikings defense plus the potent offense promises to be a great challenge for a younger Eagles squad. This should be a really fun one on Monday Night Football, and the winner is established as an early NFC contender.