Game Preview – PHI at MIN

Posted: October 12th, 2019 | Author: | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | 1 Comment »

The Eagles won a big game when they went to Green Bay and upset the Packers. Two weeks after that, the Eagles get to go to Minnesota to battle the Vikings in a showdown of 3-2 teams each trying to prove they are actually good.

The Vikings had an embarrassing loss to the Bears two weeks ago and that will be with them for a while. The Eagles have played sloppy football this year and lead the NFL in dropped passes. Both rosters are loaded with talent, but each team brings questions into this game. Can Mike Zimmer win with his 1985 offense? Can the Eagles figure out the passing game, on offense and defense?

Minnesota beat Philadelphia last year in the regular season, but it feels like the Vikings are the team that should have a chip on their shoulder. They feel like the little brother in this relationship. There was the ugly 2016 game where Sam Bradford was sacked 6 times and the Vikings didn’t score a TD until the final minute of the game. The 2017 NFC title game was a Nordic nightmare. Last year the Vikings won the head-to-head game, but lost their season finale and helped the Eagles secure a playoff berth. And of course there was the Bradford trade, with the Vikings handing over a 1st rounder for the King of Sleeves.

Like I said, the Vikings feel like the little brother in this relationship.

They can’t undo any of that, but a win on Sunday would help them a lot and put the Eagles in a tough situation. This is the first of three straight road games for the Eagles and they have a tough overall schedule.

The highlight battle will be the Vikings run game against the Eagles run defense. Minnesota has run for 172 or more yards in four of five games. That is pretty darned impressive. The Eagles have the best run defense in the NFL. Starting RBs have done virtually nothing against them this year.

Dalvin Cook will be the toughest test so far. He is second in the NFL in rushing and averages 5.9 yards per carry. Cook is red hot and has a run of at least 22 yards in all but the Bears game. If you give him space, he will burn you.

The Eagles have been tough against the run for several reasons. They will load the box. Jim Schwartz will blitz DBs on expected run downs, looking to blow up plays. The DL gets up the field and blows up blocking schemes. The LBs flow to the ball and they have tackled well this year.

Minnesota came out throwing last week to try to open up the Giants defense. They could try the same thing this week, but we’re talking about a few plays, not a sustained effort to throw the ball. Zimmer wants to live or die with the run. I think the Eagles will control the run game for the most part, but I can see Cook gashing them for a long play. When defenders shoot gaps, it can create space for the runner if he can get there.

The Vikings will use screen passes as a way to deal with the Eagles pass rush and to get the ball to RBs in space. The Eagles must be disciplined. They can’t attack blindly. Those screen passes make me nervous.

Last year it was Vikings WRs who gave the Eagles fits. Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen combined for 17 catches for 207 yards. They’ll be going up against Rasul Douglas, Orlando Scandrick and likely Sidney Jones on Sunday. Can that revamped secondary get the job done? Douglas is playing well, but he’s not gone up against receivers like this. These guys will be a huge test for the CBs.

I’m really interested to see if the DL can build off last week’s showing. I’m certainly not expecting another 10 sacks, but can they make plays and get regular pressure? The Vikings OL struggles in pass pro so the Eagles should have the advantage up front.

As for the Eagles offense, the OL will have a big test of their own. Can Jason Peters control Danielle Hunter? Can Lane Johnson handle Everson Griffen? If you block them, there are plays to be made. If the Vikings DL wins the battle, watch out.

DeSean Jackson is out again. I wonder if there will be some designed plays to get the ball to Nelson Agholor. The Eagles need more out of their WRs. Alshon Jeffery is reliable, but someone else must make plays. You can’t expect TE Zach Ertz to carry the passing game.

Carson Wentz has suffered from dropped passes, but he can play better as well. If he gets Agholor open down the field, Wentz must hit him. Those can be game-changing plays.

Special teams could be interesting. Darren Sproles is out and Corey Clement is on IR. Miles Sanders will be the KOR, but we don’t know who will return punts. Boston Scott just got added to the active roster and could have that role.

I don’t have a great feel for this game, in part because I don’t have a great feel for either the Vikings or Eagles. Both have been very impressive at times and disappointing at others. This isn’t a make or break game, but it sure will make life a lot easier for one of the teams.

_


One Comment on “Game Preview – PHI at MIN”

  1. 1 The Linc - PFF claims Kirk Cousins is playing worse than his stats suggest - Philly's Top Five said at 7:00 AM on October 13th, 2019:

    […] Game Preview – PHI at MIN – Iggles BlitzI’m really interested to see if the DL can build off last week’s showing. I’m certainly not expecting another 10 sacks, but can they make plays and get regular pressure? The Vikings OL struggles in pass pro so the Eagles should have the advantage up front. As for the Eagles offense, the OL will have a big test of their own. Can Jason Peters control Danielle Hunter? Can Lane Johnson handle Everson Griffen? If you block them, there are plays to be made. If the Vikings DL wins the battle, watch out. DeSean Jackson is out again. I wonder if there will be some designed plays to get the ball to Nelson Agholor. The Eagles need more out of their WRs. Alshon Jeffery is reliable, but someone else must make plays. You can’t expect TE Zach Ertz to carry the passing game. […]