The Philadelphia Eagles returned to Minneapolis for the first time since hoisting the Lombardi Trophy almost two years ago. It didn’t go according to plan, as the Eagles were thumped by the Minnesota Vikings, 38-20, in a defeat that snapped a two-game winning streak and has the Birds heading to Dallas in a possible must-win ball game.
The Eagles were down 10-0 at the end of the first quarter after only running seven offensive plays. The Vikings would stretch the lead t0 24-3 in the second quarter. The Eagles woke up eventually and were able to cut the Minnesota lead to 24-20 in the third quarter.
Here are seven takeaways from the Eagles 38-20 loss to the Vikings.
1. Zach Ertz played his worst game with the Eagles
Ertz dropped a third-down conversion and then fumbled after being stripped by Vikings linebacker Eric Kendricks and recovered by Anthony Barr. Ertz finished the ball game with four catches for 54 yards but was basically a non-factor.
2. Eagles must address the cornerback position
The Eagles are currently 27th in the NFL in passing defense and give up an average of 271 passing yards per game. The Eagles have given up 15 passes of 20+ yards or more, with opposing offenses attempting almost 40 passes per outing. Things were no different against the Vikings, as Diggs and Thielen accounted for 224 yards receiving and four touchdowns.
Diggs hauled in three on the afternoon, scorching the Eagles secondary to the tune of seven catches for 167 yards on the day. Neither Rasul Douglas or Sidney Jones had a good game, and it leaves the Eagles wondering what to do at the cornerback position. This defense as currently constructed will not win a Super Bowl and the team’s biggest weakness currently resides at cornerback. The Vikings came out targeting cornerback Sidney Jones, three times on the opening drive, including a six-yard touchdown to Adam Thielen in which Jones was beaten badly on a double move. Douglas was beaten twice by Stefon Diggs for long touchdowns in the second quarter. Craig James entered the game for Jones was quickly beat for another touchdown by Diggs in the back of the end zone.
3. Carson Wentz needs some help
Wentz keeps this team steady for stretches at a time, but he needs more plays made for him in the fashion that Diggs and company made plays for Kirk Cousins. Wentz took what was given to him and located Miles Sanders on a huge play that set up a touchdown.
Wentz then played Whodini on his next touchdown pass to Alshon Jeffery.
4. Eagles must add another pass rusher
Kirk Cousins looked like an All-Pro against the Birds, as he was barely touched and it showed. Cousins answered Zach Brown and responded to the trash talk, going 22 of 29, for 333 yards, four touchdowns, and one interception. Cousins averaged 11.5 yards per pass attempt, while Diggs and Thielen accounted for 224 yards receiving and four touchdowns. Eagles defensive end Brandon Graham recorded his fourth sack of the season, but it wasn’t enough.
5. Doug Pederson was too aggressive
The Eagles had the opportunity to cut the deficit to 24-13 late in the first half, but Pederson dialed up a fake field goal that was doomed from the start. Goedert was supposed to get the ball and get out of bounds, but the play never materialized.
The Eagles would eventually enter the half trailing 24-10.
6. Eagles need more from receiving corps (DeSean Back)
DeSean Jackson is still a question mark for next week and beyond and the Eagles simply have no burst without him on the field. Against the Vikings, Carson Wentz Averaged 5.1 yards per pass attempt and that’s simply not going to cut it.
7. JJ Arcega-Whiteside can’t get on the field
The rookie from Stanford was the darling of training camp, but his inability to overtake Mack Hollins or make plays when inserted into the game is unsettling. The pressure is starting to build for Arcega-Whiteside after DK Metcalf had 4 receptions for 69 yards in a Seahawks win.
Making things even more unsettling is Redskins rookie, Terry McLaurin having four receptions for 100 yards and 2 touchdowns in a Washington win. Metcalf was selected at No. 64 overall by Seattle, while McLaurin fell all the way to No. 76 overall.
Arcega-Whiteside went before both but has yet to make a dent.
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