With Week 1 in the books, the NFL schedule rolls on with an exciting Thursday night matchup between the Philadelphia Eagles (1-0) and the Minnesota Vikings (0-1). Looking at the NFL standings, this pivotal NFC showdown will be the only time these two franchises face off against each other during the regular season.
Thursday night marks the 31st time the two teams will take the field competing against each other, with the series deadlocked at 15 wins apiece. Philadelphia won the last meeting against Minnesota, defeating the Vikings 24-7, in Week 2 of last season.
Minnesota was favored in their Week 1 matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but three turnovers by quarterback Kirk Cousins led to Tampa Bay escaping with a 20-17 victory. Cousins threw for 344 yards and a pair of touchdowns, but Minnesota’s run game produced just 41 yards on 17 carries.
The Eagles were also favored as they opened the season on the road against New England. The game went down to the wire, but Philadelphia eked out a 25-20 victory after opening with a 16-0 lead at the end of the first quarter. The Eagles defense forced two turnovers, one a 70-yard interception returned for a touchdown by Darius Slay.
Thursday’s contest kicks off at 8:15 p.m. EST inside Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Vikings vs Eagles odds have Dallas as a 7-point favorite and the over/under total at 48.5 points.
Looking at the NFL odds, we should be in for a fantastic game to cap the first Sunday of professional football! NFL at BetUS odds have the Eagles as the favorites.
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Overall Game Info & Outlook
Minnesota Vikings vs Philadelphia Eagles
Location: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia
Date & Time: September 14. 8:15 pm EST
Where to watch: Prime Video
Minnesota Vikings Preview
- The Vikings are 1-6 against the spread over their last seven contests.
- The total has gone over in seven of Minnesota’s last nine games.
- Minnesota has won five of their last seven games on the road.
Minnesota will need to shake off the Week 1 loss and get back up quickly in a key matchup this week against the Eagles. Head coach Kevin O’Connell, who’s in his second season as the head coach of the Vikings, will want to get prepared for the quick turnaround to try and avoid an early 0-2 record.
Cousins completed 33-of-44 passes for 344 yards in the opener, but he’d want three plays back that led to three turnovers. The veteran quarterback will have to play a clean game on Thursday, avoiding the turnovers at all costs against a stout Eagles squad.
With Dalvin Cook gone, the running back role was handed over to fifth-year pro Alexander Mattison. Mattison had performed well in limited action during his first four seasons in Minnesota, and there was anticipation that the Minnesota run game wouldn’t miss a beat.
That didn’t come to fruition in Week 1, with Mattison bottled up by a tough Eagles front seven, carrying the ball 11 times for 34 yards and a score.
All-Pro wideout Justin Jefferson looked in midseason form, leading the Vikings with 12 receptions and 150 yards. Rookie wide receiver Jordan Addison also opened up his NFL career in fashion, catching four passes for 61 yards and securing his first NFL score.
Minnesota’s Winning Formula: Ball Security
The key this week for Minnesota, if they want to win the ballgame, is to secure the football and establish a running game early to keep the ball out away from the Philadelphia offense.
Minnesota’s defense was solid in the opener, holding Tampa Bay to just 246 yards of total offense; if that unit can match that production again, the Vikings have an excellent opportunity to take the victory. Sadly, their Super Bowl odds are still slim.
Philadelphia Eagles Preview
- Philadelphia is 1-5 ATS in their last six games played in Week 2.
- The total has gone under in four of the Eagles’ last six matchups.
- Philadelphia is 5-0 straight-up in their last five games against NFC North opponents.
Last year’s NFC Champions got off on the right foot with a road victory over Bill Belichick and the Patriots. In his third season as head coach of the Eagles, Nick Sirianni has Philadelphia primed for another postseason run.
Playing against a tough New England Patriots defense, quarterback Jalen Hurts’s stat line wasn’t as flashy as some of his 2022 contests. The 25-year-old completed 22-of-33 passes for 170 yards and one touchdown while adding 37 yards on the ground. Hurts coughed up a key fumble late in the fourth quarter, but the Eagles’ defense was able to hold the Patriots offense from benefiting from it.
Kenneth Gainwell paced the Eagles rushing attack, carrying 14 times for 54 yards and adding four receptions for 20 yards. Boston Scott and former Lions rusher D’Andre Swift carried the ball each just once for three yards.
Looking at the NFL stats, the wideout duo of AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith combined for 14 receptions, 116 yards, and a score. Brown led the Eagles with 79 yards receiving while Smith scored Philadelphia’s lone offensive touchdown.
Philadelphia opens up its home slate on Thursday night in front of what will be a rowdy crowd. The Eagles are the betting favorite for a reason, and Philadelphia posted a 7-2 mark at home during the regular season last year. The key Thursday is to find a rhythm offensively and don’t let up if they race out to another early advantage.
Top Sportsbooks Odds
BetOnline: Philadelphia -7
Bovada: Philadelphia -7
MyBookie: Philadelphia -7
BetUS: Philadelphia -7
BetNow: Philadelphia -7
Minnesota Vikings vs Philadelphia Eagles Odds & Picks
Odds for this Matchup:
Recommended Pick:
After reviewing the Vikings vs. Eagles Odds, when making your NFL picks, go with the Vikings to keep the game close.
- Minnesota Vikings +7 (-110) via BetUS
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