Eagles-Vikings predictions
1. How will the Eagles offense do?
Jeff McLane: I think it's safe to say that the Vikings coach Mike Zimmer, who has one of the most inventive defensive minds in the game, will attack Halapoulivaati Vaitai. The rookie is making his second straight start at right tackle, and the first didn't inspire much confidence. Doug Pederson will once again have to slide protection and keep tight ends and running backs in to double up or chip block help for Vaitai. This will take numbers away from the interior where Zimmer loves to send pressure with his renowned "A"-gap blitzes. You've probably heard a lot about this tactic, but Zimmer will often line up two linebackers (typically Eric Kendricks and Anthony Barr) over the "A" gaps (the spaces to the left and right of the center) on passing downs. He may send both. He may send neither. He may send just one. He may twist the linebackers. He may have one of the linebackers run a game with one of his interior lineman. There are myriad of possibilities. Zimmer loves them for the simple reason that rushing through the "A" gaps is the quickest way to the quarterback and because he has the linebackers that can get there as fast as any.
Center Jason Kelce, who is dealing with plantar fasciitis in his left foot, will have to be on his toes. The same, of course, applies to Carson Wentz. He's shown that he can handle the blitz, but with "Big V" likely requiring additional help, he could be without an additional line of protection against those blitzes. If that were all the Eagles would have to worry about on offense, it wouldn't be a huge ordeal. But the Vikings are talented and deep with just their front four. They don't necessarily need to send extra rushers. Defensive end Everson Griffen (four sacks) will be a handful for left tackle Jason Peters. But Brian Robison (four sacks) and Danielle Hunter (four sacks) are just as effective on the other side. Vaitai, even with help, will have his hands full. And there's nothing to stop Zimmer from sending overload blitzes from the left. That could be where the game is won or lost.
Pederson will likely do his best to move the pocket for Wentz and take advantage of the Vikings' aggressiveness. But Kendricks is one of the best pass-defending linebackers in the league. And I haven't even delved into the secondary. Cornerback Xavier Rhodes has shutdown ability. And veteran Terence Newman is off to a great start. The Vikings defense isn't invincible, but the Eagles will need to establish the run game early if they're to score points.
Zach Berman: Vaitai should play better at home and with one game of experience, but this is a tough matchup. Robison and Hunter will both challenge him. Those guys can get to the quarterback from the left side of the defense. The Vikings are strong at all three levels, and the Eagles will have a hard time moving the ball. No team has scored more than 16 points against them all year. The Eagles are going to need to be able to run the ball, but that will be difficult to do with Linval Joseph in the middle of the Vikings line and those linebackers patrolling the second level. Ryan Mathews ran better last week; he'll need to look like a starting running back on Sunday. A good running game can help the play-action. The Eagles need to hope that Doug Pederson can help with the scheme and play-calling and someone new steps up – whether it's Zach Ertz finally having the role we all thought (tight ends have had some success against Minnesota) or Dorial Green-Beckham picks a good week to emerge.
2. How will the Eagles defense do?
McLane: I'd expect Jim Schwartz's crew to bounce back after a woeful performance against the Redskins. It was 60 minutes of missed tackles and assignments. The Eagles allowed a whopping 230 yards on the ground and hardly pressured Kirk Cousins. If the defensive line goes another game without a sack or hurrying the quarterback you can bet the Eagles will be in for a long day. Everything starts up front, and Fletcher Cox, Connor Barwin, Brandon Graham and Vinny Curry need to start earning their keep. The loss of Bennie Logan will hurt, particularly in the run game, but his absence could give Curry more chances to rush.
The Vikings offensive line is nowhere near as stout as the Redskins. There should be opportunities to get to Sam Bradford. Jake Long is a veteran, but he's making his first start of the season at right tackle. I like Graham in that matchup. Bradford has been great so far this season. He's gotten the ball out quick, and when he's had to, he's stood in against the rush and delivered the football. Stefon Diggs is his top target. The receiver has taken a leap in year two. Corner Leodis McKelvin (hamstring) is expected back. Tight end Kyle Rudolph has been Bradford's safety valve. The Vikings have struggled to get much going on the ground without Adrian Peterson. But they have stayed committed to the run and should on Sunday if they watched at least a minute of the Eagles against the Redskins.
Berman: The Eagles can win this game, but it'll need to be because of the defense's effort. Minnesota doesn't have favorable matchups. They struggle to run the ball (2.5 yards per carry), have a beat-up offensive line, and don't have top receivers. Diggs and Rudolph will be the biggest challenge – Rudolph will be matched up against Eagles linebackers, and they will need to pay attention to him in the middle of the field on third downs. But this game will be about the Eagles' defensive line. They should be able to win the matchup against the Vikings' offensive line, and if they can rattle Bradford, the Eagles can win an ugly game. A non-offensive touchdown will help, too, which is a challenge against a team without an offensive turnover. But I see the defensive line having success and the Eagles keeping it close.
3. Who's a player to watch?
McLane: If the Eagles are to win they will likely need some production from a receiver other than Jordan Matthews. Dorial Green-Beckham continues to get more playing time. I would imagine that trend continues. He's been decent after the catch on shorter routes, but he needs to be more reliable down the field. But he's got to run crisper patterns. Wentz should take advantage of his size differential.
Berman: I'm going with Vinny Curry. The Eagles paid him a lot of money – you wrote about this in Friday's Inquirer – and are not getting the return on their investment so far. My guess is Curry sees more time, with Connor Barwin playing fewer snaps than usual. Also, Curry can line up inside on passing downs. This would be a good week for Curry to earn that contract, and the opportunity should be there for him.
4. What's your prediction?
McLane: I've been a terrible prognosticator this season. It's why I don't gamble. But I'm a reporter, not a bookie. I can tell you that the Eagles have seemed to put the Redskins loss behind them – at least that's the vibe I have gotten from the locker room. Pederson and Schwartz seem relaxed and don't appear to be panicking. I think the defense can pressure Bradford. But I can't get away from Vaitai vs. Robison-Hunter. It's just one matchup, but we saw last week how one player made the Eagles offense look completely different. Wentz will adjust, but there will be only so much he can do. I think it will be a tight, low-scoring affair, and maybe that favors the Eagles because Vikings kicker Blair Walsh is a hot mess. But I have the Vikings 20, Eagles 19 in a squeaker.
Berman: Even though the Vikings are undefeated, this is a winnable game for the Eagles. The line (Vikings -2.5) suggests as much. I think the Eagles keep it close and get a strong game from their defense, but I don't think the offense will generate enough points against this Vikings defense. They are praised for good reason – the personnel and coaching are both worthy – and the Eagles drop their third game. Give me Vikings 16, Eagles 14.