Game Preview – PHI at MIN

Back in August some might have thought the Eagles-Vikings game could have been a playoff game preview. Things haven’t been smooth for either team this season. The Eagles are coming off consecutive losses. Minnesota has had a ton of injuries and has Carson Wentz starting at QB. I don’t think either team is desperate right now, but there should be some extra urgency with both teams already having two losses.

The Vikings have a complicated, aggressive defense. Brian Flores uses creative looks and coverages to try and keep offenses confused. The Vikings are second in the league in passing yards allowed. They are tough to throw on. That’s the bad news.

The good news is that Minnesota struggles with run defense.

24th – rush yards allowed
21st – yards per rush attempt

This is the week that the Eagles struggling run game must get going. The OL is the key to that. The Eagles had padded practices this week. Maybe that will help to get the big fellas back on track. The players had an extra three days of rest so that should help them to feel better physically.

What changes will the coaches make? Blocking is the big key to the run game, but the coaches can help things. They need to mix in different looks (more under center stuff) and also use Jalen Hurts in the run game. Make things less predictable and give the OL a chance to get going. Saquon Barkley is dying to have a breakout game. Get him the ball in favorable situations.

The OL needs to control DT Jalen Redmond. He leads the Vikings with 3 sacks and 4 TFLs. One of the stars of the defense is CB Isaiah Rodgers. You might remember him from the distant past. Rodgers is playing well this season. I’m sure he’d love to have a big game against his former team.

Blitzes will be a key this week.

The #Eagles offense is still getting blitzed 2nd most often, while the Vikings defense blitzes second most often.

Meanwhile, the Vikings’ offense is dead last in success rate against the blitz, and have been consistently bad at it every week since Week 2. pic.twitter.com/gsIQyK8C2I

— Deniz Selman (@denizselman33) October 16, 2025

Hurts needs to be smart against the blitz. Minnesota will send anyone and everyone. They will also mix more conservative blitzes and play coverage behind them. Hurts has been good against certain blitz looks this year. Sim pressures have given the Eagles problems. You know Flores is aware of that.

The Eagles defense has blitzed more this year than in recent seasons. Vic Fangio is willing to be aggressive when it is needed. The base pass rush hasn’t been consistently good so this would be a game to attack. Nakobe Dean is back so Fangio can get creative with how to use his LBs. He’ll also have Jalen Carter and that will make a difference.

Wentz is 2-1 as a starter and is completing 69 percent of his passes. He’s 33 years old and has a veteran presence about him. Pressure can still bother Wentz and get him off-kilter. The Eagles will need to affect him with their rush. Sacks would be great, but hurried throws and poor decisions will also work. While Wentz is older, he can still move around and make plays. The rushers need to be aware of that.

Quinyon Mitchell practiced this week. You will probably see him on Justin Jefferson a lot. Adoree Jackson will likely start opposite of him. You know Wentz will be attacking both of them.

Minnesota RB Jordan Mason is a physical runner. Eagles defenders better tackle him physically and aggressively. The Eagles had some struggles with Cam Skattebo last week.

The Vikings have beaten the Bears, a bad Bengals team and a bad Browns team. Those aren’t impressive wins. The Eagles do have impressive wins, but haven’t played a complete game yet this year and they’re coming off their worst showing of the season. You can make arguments for and against both teams. Minnesota being at home in their dome certainly does help them.

I lean toward the Eagles, but I sure don’t say that with a lot of confidence. It is hard to trust the Eagles right now. I’d love to see a breakout performance in Minny. The team is certainly due for one. A team with this much talent can’t be erratic all year long. Right?

Right?

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