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Domowitch's Eagles-Vikings Scouting Report

By Paul Domowitch Staff Writer Recent history: The Vikings defeated the visiting Eagles on Dec. 15, 2013. Minnesota leads the series, which began in 1962, 13-12.

Recent history: The Vikings defeated the visiting Eagles on Dec. 15, 2013. Minnesota leads the series, which began in 1962, 13-12.

WHEN THE EAGLES RUN THE BALL

The Eagles are averaging 27.6 rushing attempts per game, which is the ninth most in the league, and are seventh in run-play percentage (44.9). While they run a lot, they don't always run effectively. They are averaging a middle-of-the-pack 4.1 yards per attempt. They rotate four RBs, but Ryan Mathews usually is the main guy. He has a team-high 53 carries and rushed for 60 yards on nine carries at Washington. Darren Sproles (4.1) has been effective on misdirection plays that create creases inside for the slippery RB. He has 65 yards on nine carries in the last two games. Running against the Vikings won't be easy. They are fourth against the run, holding opponents to 77.8 rushing yards per game, and 8th in yards allowed per carry (3.7). The Vikings have given up more than 83 rushing yards in a game just once (105 vs. Carolina).

EDGE: Vikings

WHEN THE EAGLES PASS THE BALL

It didn't take long for Lane Johnson's absence to be felt. With Johnson beginning his 10-game PED suspension, rookie Halapoulivaati Vaitai replaced him at RT vs. Redskins and struggled almost immediately. He gave up two early sacks and Carson Wentz was dropped a season-high five times. It's not going to get any easier for Vaitai and the rest of the line this week. The Vikings have 19 sacks in five games and are fourth in the league in sacks per pass play. Besides playing with an inexperienced RT, the Eagles have another problem up front. C Jason Kelce has plantar fasciitis in his left foot. Wentz completed just 11 of 22 passes vs. Washington, but still has a 99.9 passer rating, a 65.0 completion percentage and has thrown just one interception in 157 attempts. The Eagles need to get TE Zach Ertz more involved than he's been. The Vikings have an excellent secondary.

EDGE: Vikings

WHEN THE VIKINGS RUN THE BALL

Even before losing Adrian Peterson in Week 2, the Vikings weren't having much rushing luck. They are last in the league (70.6 yards per game) and yards per carry (2.5). They don't attack the edge much, running primarily between the tackles. They're o-line is banged up. Both of their starting OTs - Matt Kalil and Andre Smith - are on injured reserve, and LG Alex Boone has been playing through a hip injury. Their run game showed ever-so-slight improvement in Week 4 when they rushed for 104 yards against the Giants, but before the bye they had 96 yards on 37 carries against Houston. Despite their lack of run production, the Vikings remain committed to running the ball, averaging 28.8 rushing attempts per game. The Eagles slipped to 29th in opponent rush average (4.8) after getting gashed for 230 yards by the Redskins.

EDGE: Eagles

WHEN THE VIKINGS PASS THE BALL

Despite joining the team just a week before the start of the season, Sam Bradford has played exceptionally well. He enters the game ranked second in the league in passing (109.7) and first in completion percentage (70.4). He hasn't thrown an interception in 125 attempts. The lack of a run game and injuries to his offensive lined haven't afforded him a lot of time to throw. But Bradford gets the ball out quickly. He hasn't gone downfield a lot this season, but when he has he's been very accurate. He developed quick chemistry with WR Stefon Diggs and TE Kyle Rudolph. Rudolph already has three touchdown catches. The Eagles' defense is built around the pass rush. They had 14 sacks in the first four games, but were shut out against the Redskins. DT Fletcher Cox has played poorly the last two weeks, and DE Connor Barwin hasn't had a sack since Week 1.

EDGE: Vikings

SPECIAL TEAMS

The Vikings have two outstanding return men in PR Marcus Sherels and KR Cordarrelle Patterson. The 5-10, 175-pound Sherels has two returns for TDs in the last three games. The 6-2, 220-pound Patterson has an NFL-best 29.9-yard average and has four TD returns since 2013. But the Eagles' coverage units are solid. The only kickoff that has been returned past the 25-yard line was an end-of-the-half squib vs. Chicago. P Donnie Jones has had a league-best 21.7 percent of his punts (just 5 of 23) returned. The one and only blemish was a 65-yard punt return for a TD they gave up to the Bears' Eddie Royal. Aside from that, they have held opponents to just 4 yards per return. Eagles PK Caleb Sturgis has made 12 of 13 FG attempts. Has made 12 in a row since a 46-yard miss in Week 1. The Vikings' PK, Blair Walsh, has a strong leg, but is erratic. He has missed 3 of 12 FG attempts.

EDGE: Even

INTANGIBLES

Doug Pederson has downplayed the value of Sam Bradford's intimate knowledge of the Eagles' offense and defense. But it gives the Vikings an informational advantage and, at the very least, has forced the Eagles to spend practice time changing some things.

EDGE: Vikings

Domo's prediction: Vikings 24, Eagles 10

KEY MATCHUPS

1. Eagles LT Jason Peters vs. Vikings RDE Everson Griffen: The 34-year-old Peters isn't the player he once was. Griffen is well on his way to his third straight double-digit sack season. ADVANTAGE: Vikings

2. Eagles PR/KR coverage units vs. Vikings PR Marcus Sherels and KR Cordarrelle Patterson: Sherels and Patterson may be the best return tandem in the league. ADVANTAGE: Even

3. Eagles LDE Brandon Graham vs. RT Jeremiah Sirles: The Eagles did not have a sack vs. Redskins. Sirles will be making just his third NFL start. ADVANTAGE: Eagles

Hot and Not

HOT

Eagles: KR/RB Wendell Smallwood. Rookie had an 86-yard KR for a TD against Redskins.

Vikings: QB Sam Bradford. His 109.7 passer rating is the second highest in the league. Has an NFL-best 70.4 completion percentage.

NOT

Eagles: DT Fletcher Cox. Had no tackles and two penalties vs. Redskins, including a costly roughing-the-passer on third-and-4.

Vikings: PK Blair Walsh. Already has missed 3 FG attempts and two PATs.

@Pdomo Blog: ph.ly/Eagletarian.com