NFL
The Vikings To Take On The Eagles In NFC Conference Championship Rematch
The top two teams of the NFC last year will meet again this Sunday in Philadelphia. While they will be starting different quarterbacks and defensive fronts, the emotions and sentiment of last season have not changed. Both the Eagles (2-2) and the Vikings (1-2-1) have dropped in the power rankings due to their poor starts to the season.
However, with three quarters of regular season football still to play, there is plenty of time to climb the NFC ladder. The winner of this game catapults themselves towards the top of that ladder and potentially claims redemption from last season.
Injury Report
The Philadelphia Eagles could be without the following players: left tackle Jason Peters, running backs Corey Clement and Darren Sproles, wide receiver Alshon Jeffery, defensive end Derrek Barnett, and defensive tackle Fletcher Cox.
The potential absence of Jeffery and Cox is especially alarming for Philadelphia; Philadelphia’s defense and pass rush have struggled this season, losing Cox would only worsen that problem. Losing Jeffery thins the Eagles’ WR core even more so and takes away their downfield option.
The Minnesota Vikings will not have DE Everson Griffin on Sunday. However, they come into the matchup much healthier than Philadelphia. The Vikings have four questionable players: DE Tashawn Bower, DT Linval Joseph, cornerback Marcus Sherels, and RB Dalvin Cook.
While Cook has had a slightly disappointing year in rushing production, he has been a valuable receiver. In total, he has contributed around 100 yards for the Vikings each week.
Keys To The Game
Defensive Stops
The Vikings and the Eagles were ranked first and fourth respectively in defense last year. This season, both teams have dropped out of the top ten; Minnesota ranked 11th and Philadelphia 23rd.
The Eagles still have the top-ranked run defense in the league with one of the worst secondaries while the Vikings defense is more balanced but underperforming.
Philadelphia Eagles
If the Eagles defense can manage to contain Minnesota’s ground game, they will force the Vikings offense to be one dimensional. The Eagles will need to recalibrate their pass rush though if they want to make any serious defensive stops.
The Eagles’ secondary has been incredibly weak all season and does not show any signs of drastically improving from just last week. If the Eagles’ front seven can keep the pressure on quarterback Kirk Cousins, it will keep the secondary from baring responsibility they can’t carry.
Defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz hesitancy to blitz may cost the Eagles this weekend. Cousins will almost certainly burn the Eagles’ secondary on a few big plays to WRs Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen.
Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings’ 13th ranked run defense will cause problems for the Eagles’ banged-up running game; Clement and Sproles are potentially out, and Jay Ajayi is still struggling with a fracture in his back.
The Vikings’ front seven can take advantage of the Eagles’ struggling offensive line which has allowed 34 QB hits in just four weeks. Minnesota’s secondary has let up some big plays this year, but if Wentz can’t stay on his feet to find an open receiver, it won’t matter.
If the Vikings can find a way to keep Ertz covered, Wentz will be forced to look at unfamiliar targets. With the Eagles missing so many offensive weapons, shutting down a high producer like Ertz could suffocate Philadelphia’s offense.
Fantasy Implications
Stefon Diggs will do a number on the Eagles secondary if Cousins can stay on his feet and make plays. Thielen may also have a strong game depending on the coverage and double-team options; because they will not be able to run the ball with efficiency both of these WRs would be great to start.
If the game turns into a shootout, Wentz will need to keep the ball in the air to help move the chains. If Jeffery is healthy, Wentz could put up some big numbers against the Vikings’ secondary. Due to the questionable health statuses of so many Eagles players, it is hard to predict how Wentz will do and how many carries Ajayi or Wendall Smallwood will take.
Date: Sunday, October 7th, 2018
Time: 4:25pm EST
Location: Lincoln Financial Field – Philadelphia, PA
Photo Credit
Featured Image courtesy of Lynn Cantwell
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