Philadelphia Eagles (3-2) at Minnesota Vikings (3-2)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minn.
TV: FOX
Eagles’ keys to victory: Get the running game going early. The Vikings defense feasts on one-dimensional teams. If the Eagles can’t establish the run behind Jordan Howard and rookie Miles Sanders, expect the Vikings send bodies at QB Carson Wentz, led by the tandem of DEs Danielle Hunter and Everson Griffen. Despite the injuries, the Eagles’ offense has still put up at least 20 points in every game this season.
Vikings’ keys to victory: Get RB Dalvin Cook involved early. There’s been so much talk about Kirk Cousins’ struggles, and rightfully so, but the Vikings can get ahead of the problem if they don’t need Cousins to throw. If Cook and rookie Alexander Mattison can find success in the first half against an Eagles defense that has underperformed thus far, the Vikings should be able to utilize play-action more and get easy completions.
Match-up to watch: Eagles QB Carson Wentz vs. Vikings linebackers. Minnesota’s linebacker corps plays well against traditional quarterbacks but struggles against mobile quarterbacks. The same goes for opposing shiftier running backs in pass coverage. It will be interesting to see how Vikings coach Mike Zimmer devises a game plan against Wentz.
Who wins? We still don’t really know who either of these teams are yet, which is problematic at the halfway point. The Vikings will ride the momentum of the home crowd. Vikings 24, Eagles 14
