Eagles, Vikings set for another battle
NFC rivals meet in rematch of last season’s championship game in Philadelphia today
>> NEW YORK: The Philadelphia Eagles will look to remain undefeated at home when they host the Minnesota Vikings today at Lincoln Financial Field in a rematch of last year’s NFC Championship Game.
In that contest, the Eagles routed the Vikings 38-7 on their way to the first Super Bowl championship in franchise history.
The Eagles fell to 2-2 when they were beaten 26-23 in overtime on the road against the Tennessee Titans last Sunday. Philadelphia own home wins over the Atlanta Falcons and Indianapolis Colts.
Philadelphia quarterback Carson Wentz was solid against the Titans, going 33 of 50 for 348 yards and two touchdowns. But Wentz has been sacked nine times in the last two games against the Colts and Titans since returning from a nine-month lay-off following anterior cruciate ligament surgery in his knee.
The offensive line, which was a strength last season, has struggled through the first four games in pass protection.
The Titans converted three fourth downs on the game-winning drive, including a fourth-and-15.
The lack of execution on defence was noticeable and could lead to lineup changes.
“They’re happening weekly, quite honestly, because we evaluate our players based on how they play and so there’s always these conversations each week, on Mondays and Tuesdays and making decisions that way,” Eagles head coach Doug Pederson said.
“But again, we as a team offence, defence, special teams, need to be more efficient and so, again, it is not just a knee-jerk reaction, but these conversations do go on.”
Running backs Darren Sproles (hamstring) and Corey Clement (quad) each missed the game against the Titans and are being listed as “dayto-day,” according to Pederson.
After a 1-0-1 start, the Vikings have scuffled with an embarrassing 27-6 loss to the Buffalo Bills and a hard-fought 38-31 defeat on the road against the Los Angeles Rams.
In the loss to LA, quarterback Kirk Cousins was terrific, going 36 of 50 for 422 yards and three touchdowns.
The Vikings’ running game was virtually non-existent against the Rams as they rushed 17 times for only 54 yards. Dalvin Cook had 10 of those carries for 20 yards.
RAMS (4-0) AT SEATTLE (2-2)
The Seahawks’ former Legion of Boom might have given LA’s booming attacking fits. This group, while well coached and aggressive, figures to struggle with an offence that comes with 10 days off and has three wideouts who eclipsed 100 yards receiving last game: Brandin Cooks, Cooper Kupp and Robert Woods. Plus, the Rams are no slouches on defence.
Seattle’s season, despite two straight wins, got more messy when they lost star safety Earl Thomas (broken leg) and tight end Will Dissly (patellar tendon) for the year. Thomas’ parting gesture to the Seahawks sideline was not quite complimentary.
ATLANTA (1-3) AT PITTSBURGH (1-2-1)
Which of these supposed contenders has been more disappointing?
The Falcons have been hammered by injuries on defence, down three starters already, placing an extra burden on the offence. Mostly, Matt Ryan, Julio Jones and company have come through — Atlanta have scored 116 points but allowed 122; only Tampa Bay and Oakland have been more generous.
Pittsburgh’s issues seem to run deeper than a porous defence and too many turnovers, a league-worst nine (tied with the Bucs). The Steelers are runaway leaders in penalties, are missing star RB Le’Veon Bell in a contract dispute, and have far too much drama enveloping them.