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The Eagles (2-2) are back at home to host the Vikings (1-2-1) in a rematch of the NFC Championship Game at the Linc at 4:25 p.m. on Sunday.
Last week in Tennessee ended in heartbreak as the Eagles lost 26-23 in overtime.
Roob was the only one to correctly pick a Titans’ win last week.
Reuben Frank (3-1)
Nothing’s come easy for the Eagles so far this year. Their two wins have both come down to the last play, and they have yet to win on the road. The team that blew out the Vikings 38-7 nine months ago in the NFC Championship Game doesn’t exist anymore, and the Super Bowl champs are kind of finding their way through the 2018 season. Hard to imagine them beating anybody by 31 points right now. That said, they’re still an exceptional home team. Not counting the meaningless Cowboys game at the end of last year, they’ve won 13 straight at the Linc, a streak that goes back to November 2016 and a 27-22 loss to the Redskins. Kirk Cousins always gives the Eagles trouble, but that Vikings defense is reeling, and I think with each passing week the Eagles’ offense will get a little bit more cohesive and a little bit more productive. As bad as they’ve been on the road, the Eagles’ defense is very difficult to score on at the Linc. Put it all together and the Eagles bounce back Sunday with a 27-23 win.
Eagles 27, Vikings 23
Dave Zangaro (1-3)
The Eagles’ secondary appears to be in shambles, which is scary going against the high-flying passing attack the Vikings are bringing to the Linc. But that’s the key for me. The Eagles are at home. And they’re just a different team at Lincoln Financial Field than they are on the road right now. I have some serious questions about them, but it’s hard for me to question this team at home.
It won’t be easy, and the offense needs to get cooking, but this Vikings defense isn’t what you remember from last year. This is obviously a huge game for both teams, but I’m giving the home team the edge.
Eagles 27, Vikings 24
Derrick Gunn (2-2)
Both the Vikings and Eagles are in positions no one really expected. The Eagles are at .500 and the Vikings have just one win through four games. Health issues have crippled the Birds. The offensive line has been leaky and the defense can’t consistently get off the field in crucial situations. Carson Wentz has been sacked nine times in two games and has taken at least 19 hits.
Meanwhile, what has happened to Minnesota’s once dominant defense? Their D is currently ranked 21st overall and 26th in points allowed, giving up 27.7 points per game. Jalen Mills needs a bounce-back game and he will be tested by Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs. Cousins and the Eagles are very familiar with each and the QB is currently third in the league in passing yards.
The Birds are a much different team at home, and because of that, they will soar to a win
Eagles 30, Vikings 24
Ray Didinger (2-2)
Remember when the Eagles and Vikings last met at the Linc? Right, it was the NFC Championship Game, two juggernauts steaming toward a one-lane bridge leading to Super Bowl LII. We all know how that played out.
Now comes the rematch but this time it has a totally different feel. The Eagles and Vikings are two of the NFL’s most disappointing teams one month into the season. The Eagles are 2-2 with bad losses to Tampa Bay and Tennessee. The Vikings are 1-2-1 and managed to lose at home to the Buffalo Bills. Fans of both teams are in full panic mode.
The Eagles are entering a critical four-game stretch that likely will define their season. If they defeat the Vikings and take care of business on the short week by dispatching the Giants, they will be 4-2 and building steam for the games against Carolina and Jacksonville. But if they lose Sunday, it will be an uphill fight just to get to 4-4 at the bye. So this really is a pivotal game.
The Vikings will go right after the Eagles’ secondary and Thielen and Diggs make that a scary proposition, but I’m counting on the Eagles’ defense to play to form and make enough stops to pick up the home victory.
Eagles 31, Vikings 27
Andrew Kulp (2-2)
The Eagles can try to downplay the importance of this game all they want. It’s not a must-win, but a loss would make their road significantly more challenging.
Fortunately, the players undoubtedly recognize it, even as they tout the sky isn’t falling. The defense in particular is angry right now, which when focused can be a great motivator. With the home crowd at their backs, they should rebound against the Vikings, with a strong performance up front against a mediocre offensive line. Big days from Fletcher Cox, Derek Barnett and Michael Bennett.
On the other side of the ball, the offense may continue to struggle in the red zone, but should start with good field position often enough for Jake Elliott to kick a bunch of field goals.
Eagles 22, Vikings 14
Corey Seidman (1-3)
The Eagles are struggling to cover enemy receivers. Diggs and Thielen may be the most dangerous 1-2 punch in the league. Diggs has ridiculous speed and Thielen doesn’t drop anything. Thielen is a victim of the “possession receiver” stereotype but he’s much more than that.
That said, the Vikings probably won’t be able to run the ball with Dalvin Cook banged up, and the Vikes’ defense is not the vaunted unit right now it was for much of 2017.
Cousins has killed the Eagles in his career, but I think this is the game where the Birds’ D steps up for at least three sacks and a turnover forced deep in Minnesota territory.
Eagles 24, Vikings 20
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