Eagles-Vikings scouting report

The Vikings have not allowed more than 16 points in a game this season, which illustrates the challenge the Eagles offense faces. Carson Wentz threw for a season-low 179 yards last week; the Vikings are limiting opponents to 210 passing yards per game and have allowed only four passing touchdowns. They are strong on all levels of the defense, and coach Mike Zimmer's system is respected around the NFL.

It was a difficult debut last week for right tackle Halapoulivaati Vaitai, who will get another chance in the starting lineup. It will help that he's at home and has one game of experience, but he'll still have a tough assignment. Vikings defensive ends Brian Robison and Danielle Hunter both rush from that side and have four sacks each. Jason Peters doesn't have it any easier on the other side, with Everson Griffen (four sacks) one of the top defensive ends in the NFC.

The Eagles will need to help Vaitai, but they also need options in the passing game. The Vikings have stifled wide receivers this season, but they've allowed passing yardage to running backs and tight ends. Those are the players who would need to help Vaitai, so coach Doug Pederson must find the right balance. Tight end Zach Ertz has been quiet since his return from injury two weeks ago, but this would be a good week for Wentz to rely on him. The Vikings cornerbacks are playing at a high level, with Xavier Rhodes the top name in the group. Safety Harrison Smith is a Pro Bowler who has become one of the best at his position, and he patrols the middle of the field.

The Eagles could use a strong running game. They averaged 4.5 yards per carry last week, but the running backs rushed only 19 times. Ryan Mathews needs more than 11 snaps, and the Eagles would be smart to go to him early. Look for the other running backs to get in the mix, but the running will be tough against the Vikings. They are keeping opponents to 77.8 yards per game, and defensive tackle Linval Joseph is a major presence in the middle. The Vikings will miss Philadelphia native Sharrif Floyd, who has a knee injury. Linebackers Eric Kendricks, Anthony Barr, and Chad Greenway form one of the best trios in the NFL.

The Vikings don't have running back Adrian Peterson or quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, but they're still undefeated and surviving offensively. The key has been Sam Bradford. The former Eagles quarterback is 88 for 125 (70.4 percent) for 990 yards, six touchdowns, and no interceptions. The Vikings don't have an offensive turnover all season.

Bradford's top target is Stefon Diggs, who has 25 catches for 372 yards and one touchdown. His safety valve is tight end Kyle Rudolph (21 catches, 236 yards, three touchdowns), who Bradford uses much in the way he used Ertz with the Eagles. They are also getting production from Adam Thielen, who already has a career-high 20 catches this year.

The Eagles could get Leodis McKelvin back; the cornerback is questionable after missing three of the first five games with a hamstring injury. Slot cornerback Ron Brooks is questionable with a calf injury and safety Malcolm Jenkins could move to the slot if Brooks is absent.

The Eagles' advantage will be on the defensive line. Although they are expected to play without defensive tackle Bennie Logan, the matchup still favors the Eagles. The Vikings are already down both of their starting offensive tackles. The Eagles need more production from their defensive ends after going all of last week without a sack. Connor Barwin has one sack and could see a slight decrease in playing time to keep him fresher. Vinny Curry will be the beneficiary, and Barwin, Curry, and Brandon Graham could find themselves in more of a rotation than in previous weeks. Beau Allen will start next to Fletcher Cox at defensive tackle.

The loss of Peterson is affecting Minnesota in the running game. The Vikings are committed to running the ball, but the results haven't been good. They average only 2.5 yards per carry even though they rush 28.8 times a game. Jerrick McKinnon and Matt Asiata share the load. Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz expects the Vikings to challenge the Eagles on the ground after Schwartz's group allowed 230 rushing yards and seven yards per carry last week. They need better play from their linebackers - Mychal Kendricks (ribs) is questionable in a game against his brother, and Jordan Hicks and Nigel Bradham need to make up for last week.

The Vikings also have strong special teams. Punt returner Marcus Sherals has two punt return scores, and Cordarrelle Patterson averages 29.9 yards per kick return.

The Eagles committed 27 penalties the last two weeks and now have 47 penalties for 297 yards this season. That doesn't include two penalties that were declined. The most common penalty has been offensive holding, with 11 - four of them charged to center Jason Kelce. Cornerback Nolan Carroll has been flagged four times for pass interference. "It starts in practice and it starts with me communicating in team meetings," Pederson said of solutions. "If it happens in practice, I'm going to stop it. We're going to rehuddle and we're going to do that play again."

Predictions:

Zach Berman:

Vikings 16, Eagles 14

Jeff McLane:

Vikings 20, Eagles 19