Nick Piccone
The Eagles are looking to put a stop to their losing streak against the undefeated Minnesota Vikings Sunday at 1:00 P.M. at The Linc. It’s not an easy game – but are there ever really easy ones? It seems like the Eagles haven’t played an easy game since the 2004 season.
Tyler Trumbauer: I have been high on the Eagles for the last few weeks, but I’m walking it back now. After losing back-to-back contests and falling to 3-2, the season is going to get tough for the Eagles. The Birds face the lone unbeaten left in the NFL, the Minnesota Vikings. The Vikes, led by Sammy Sleeves, have overcome many injuries, a late change at quarterback, and are one of the best teams in the NFL so far.
I think the loss of Lane Johnson is just something the Eagles cannot overcome right now, until Halapoulivaati Vaitai sures himself up in Johnson’s place. The Eagles defense knows Bradford’s weaknesses and will exploit them to an extent, which will keep it close, but the Vikings are serious contenders this season and the Eagles will be lucky to finish 8-8. Wentz and the offense will bounce back a bit, but it just won’t be enough in a close game.
Vikings 24-21.
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Ray Hagan: I was supremely confident in the last game and the Birds lost. This one absolutely terrifies me. So the Eagles should win, right? I’m trying to find the stats to back up an Eagles win. The Vikings are sixth against the pass, second against the run and the best scoring defense in football. Sure, the Vikings are woefully bad on offense, but they’re so good on defense that I just don’t see the Eagles able to pull this one out. If the Eagles are going to win they’re going to need Carson Wentz to be better than ever – in his sixth career start – and his receivers to be better than they’re likely capable of.
Vikings 27-17.
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Tony Cutillo: So far I am 1-1 with my predictions (I started late) and this week I will look to start back on the winning track. I really thought the Eagles would come out and take care of business last Sunday, but they didn’t. Whether we blame it on coaching, the defense, Fletcher Cox or Big V, it still doesn’t erase the fact that we lost a big division game.
I still point this loss in Howie Roseman’s direction as well. For a general manager to knowingly understand his starting right tackle may be lost for 10 games and not have any sort of a backup plan is inexcusable. Furthermore, to give up on a second round pick in Eric Rowe when your secondary is already questionable just to add a guy like Chris Givens, who isn’t even on the team anymore, is ridiculous. Lastly, when do we ever start talking about Greg Lewis? Seeing the lackluster play out of the wide receivers shouldn’t we be looking in his direction more often?
Rant over. I’m going with an Eagles win. They say it’s “Any Given Sunday” in the NFL and I think this our time. The defense will be fired up and the offense will throw a running attack at them to the tune of 50+ plays. We all know Rhodes has been shutting down receivers with ease, but this is nothing different from what we are accustomed to seeing anyway. Big day for Darren Sproles and DGB on the way to victory!
Eagles 24-13.
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Adrian Fedkiw: A lot of people aren’t giving the Eagles a shot in this game, I heard that in Week 3 prior to playing the Pittsburgh Steelers, too. I’m curious to see how the Vikings come out and play following the bye. This was something that seemed to halt the Eagles’ momentum.
I believe Philly will stop Minnesota’s offense, as it matches up very well against the Vikes. The Eagles don’t have to face an elite offensive line this week. In fact, Minnesota boasts one of the worst offensive lines in the league. I think they’ll pressure Bradford consistently and that’ll help cover the deficiencies in the secondary.
But how are the Eagles going to move the ball? That’s the question. The first team to score 20 wins and I’m taking the Birds in an upset at home. They play with a lot more fire and passion at home.
Eagles 20-17.
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Nick Piccone: Many people are counting the Eagles out already, but they may have already forgotten the Eagles could have won both games in Detroit and D.C. Despite their poor play, they were still in a position where they could pull out the W. That’s why I think the Birds will surprise many of the so-called experts this weekend, especially if their defense comes to play.
Sam Bradford doesn’t know a damn thing about how this Eagles defense plays under Jim Schwartz. Schwartz is going to bring the house on one of the most immobile quarterbacks in the NFL on Sunday. And while Bradford surely has some information on the Birds’ playbook, Carson Wentz is able to do so much more in and out of the pocket than Bradford can, so in no way do I think the Vikings dominate this game.
Best team in the NFC? Quite possibly. But it’s going to be a rude awakening for the Vikings who may be smelling themselves a little bit too much right now. Hey, what can I say? I’m a hopeless romantic. There still is Big V looming. Yikes.
Eagles 20-14.
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Sean Brace: After a full week of sports talk radio, I’ve heard enough about “the line telling me something” that I’m starting to wonder how many Vegas experts live in the Delaware Valley. This weekend’s game vs. the Vikings is a case of a solid defense ready to punch the clock and devour a rookie quarterback and a lackluster offense. Sorry, the Vikings are for real and the Eagles are a team trying to find themselves. Vikings win an easy one.
Vikings 28-17.