Week 6 Preview: Philadelphia Eagles @ Minnesota Vikings

Week 6 Preview: Philadelphia Eagles @ Minnesota Vikings

Sunday, October 13 at U.S. Bank Stadium, Vikings 3-point favorites

The hardest stretch in the Eagles (and maybe anyone’s) schedule starts on Sunday. Can the Eagles roll into Minnesota with the momentum they built last week?

Injury Report:

OUT

Philadelphia: Corey Clement (RB, shoulder), Ronald Darby (CB, hamstring), DeSean Jackson (WR, abdomen), Timmy Jernigan (DT, foot), Avonte Maddox (CB, concussion/neck), Darren Sproles (RB, quad)

Minnesota: Ben Gedeon (LB, concussion), Josh Kline (OG, foot)

DOUBTFUL

Philadelphia: —

Minnesota: —

QUESTIONABLE:

Philadelphia: —

Minnesota: Kentrell Brothers (LB, hamstring/wrist)

WILL PLAY:

Philadelphia: Nelson Agholor (WR, illness), Sidney Jones (CB, hamstring), Rodney McLeod (S, knee), Jason Peters (OT, knee), Orlando Scandrick (CB, illness)

Minnesota: Mackensie Alexander (CB, elbow/groin), Garrett Bradbury (C, shoulder), Irv Smith, Jr. (TE, quad), Shamar Stephen (DT, knee), Adam Thielen (WR, illness)

Darren Sproles’ third attempt at a final season has once again been affected by injury. One has to hope that he returns soon and finishes the right way. RB Boston Scott was called up from the practice squad to take the place of him and Corey Clement (who was placed on IR). DeSean Jackson is still recovering from this mysterious injury, but it’s been announced that his target return date is next week against Dallas. It would be great to have him back for that game. Three players were listed with illnesses including last week’s hero Orlando Scandrick. None of them should miss Sunday’s matchup. Josh Kline, one of Minnesota’s starting guards is out. Not a good sign for a team that already struggles with their interior offensive line.

Analysis:

One thing to note is that when it comes to odds, the home team usually gets a three-point advantage. Since Minnesota is home and favored by three, the prediction is basically a tie. Just like Vegas, I expect this game to be a close one. Even with Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs forming one of the best (if not the best) receiving duos in the game, the Vikings are determined to run the football. Dalvin Cook has been exceptional this year, finally becoming the back Minnesota expected to see after his return from a major injury his rookie season. While Cook has been great, the Eagles rush defense has been amazing as well. They sit in first place on the opponent rush yards per game list, which bodes well for them coming into this matchup. If the Eagles can keep up their stellar play in the trenches, the Vikings are going to have to trust Kirk Cousins to try and take them to victory. Against the Eagles defensive backfield, that may not be a hard task, but then again, Cousins is known to choke. He holds a career record of 5-27 against teams with winning records. Eagles LB (and former teammate of Cousins) Zach Brown came out publicly and said that Captain Kirk was the weakest part of Minnesota’s offense. Ouch. We’ll see if Cousins takes that personally and delivers a brilliant performance.

On the other hand, the Vikings are also top ten in rushing defense. Will Carson Wentz be able to deliver if asked upon? I trust him much more than Kirk Cousins, but the Eagles receiving corps has struggled mightily without the services of DeSean Jackson. Alshon Jeffery should be much closer to 100%, and remember, Xavier Rhodes is no longer a top-five cornerback in the National Football League. He’s nowhere near it at this point. It would be great to see Nelson Agholor show up, but that’s not something I’m counting on. If it comes down to the leg of one of the kickers, keep in mind that both have been great as well, specifically Elliott. He hasn’t missed a kick so far this season, and hopefully, it stays that way.

Like I’ve said numerous times in my last few articles, the Eagles are entering a vicious stretch of games, and it’s ones like this that must be taken advantage of. I won’t say it’s a must-win, but it might be, especially with the Cowboys getting a free win against the New York Jets (they’ll be 4-2 with all of their wins against sorry franchises). 

Last week’s prediction was nearly spot-on (prediction was 31-13 and the final score was 31-6), and I expect this one to be too. As long as Linval Joseph doesn’t score another 64-yard touchdown, the Eagles should pick up another win in Minnesota’s stadium (site of Super Bowl LII). Jake Elliott 50-yard field goal for the win, book it.

Prediction: Eagles 27, Vikings 24

-By: Micah Jimoh