NFL Game Preview: Minnesota Vikings at Philadelphia Eagles

Sep 19, 2022

nfl game preview, free nfl game preview, best nfl game preview

Game: Minnesota Vikings @ Philadelphia Eagles

Time:  8:30 p.m. ET

Odds: Vikings +2.5, Eagles -2.5

Total: 50.5

The Philadelphia Eagles might sustain considerable damage from Justin Jefferson and the Minnesota Vikings on Monday night given that the Detroit Lions scored 35 points against the Eagles’ defense in Week 1. Jefferson had a career-high 184 yards and two touchdowns on nine receptions last Sunday as the Vikings (1-0) trounced the Green Bay Packers by a score of 23-7.

In new coach Kevin O’Connell’s game plan, Jefferson lined up all over the field, which kept Green Bay on its toes. Only two players since 2015 have gained at least 90 yards receiving from the slot (91) and from the outside (93). Working Jefferson in coverage against linebackers and safeties played a big part in the Packers’ defeat. In his first two NFL seasons, Jefferson amassed 3,016 receiving yards, an NFL record.

The Vikings accumulated nearly 400 yards of total offense against the Packers. With only one sack, quarterback Kirk Cousins threw for 277 yards. Dalvin Cook totaled 108 yards from scrimmage for Minnesota.

Cousins is 6-3 in his career when he has started against the Eagles. That includes his stint in Washington as well as his two victories with the Vikings in 2018 and 2019. Prior to winning his previous two Monday Night Football games, Cousins had a 0-9 record in his first nine contests. Each of Cousins’ Monday night wins has come against Chicago.

The Eagles traded for wide receiver A.J. Brown in the offseason. It looks like it was a great move. Brown tied his previous career high versus Detroit by catching 10 passes for 155 yards while making his Philadelphia debut. The receiving yards set a franchise record for an Eagles player in his debut game. The previous record for the franchise was 141 receiving yards in 2006 by Donte’ Stallworth. With the Titans, Brown had two seasons of over 1,000 yards receiving.

Last week, Philadelphia led by 17 points going into the fourth quarter and hung on to win. Jalen Hurts, the Eagles quarterback, accumulated 243 passing yards and 90 rushing yards. Hurts has never faced the Vikings on the field. The Philly quarterback has a poor home record (6-8-1) and he has yet to win on Monday night (0-2).

The Eagles will be familiar with Vikings wide receiver Jalen Reagor. Reagor was chosen by Philadelphia in the first round of the 2020 draft before being traded to Minnesota on August 31. Reagor was ironically chosen one position ahead of Jefferson in the 2020 draft. Reagor only caught 64 passes for the Eagles in 29 games with them.

In their last 15 games versus the Eagles, the Vikings are 5-10 SU. In its previous 17 games versus Philadelphia, Minnesota is 5-12 ATS. In seven of the Vikings’ last eight games, the total has gone Over. In their last 11 away games, the Vikings have gone Over nine times. Philadelphia has also trended Over with eight of its last 12 games going Over the total as well as each of the Eagles’ last five home games.

Join Oskeim Sports today and save 20% on your first purchase at the online store!