Revitalized Bradford returns to Philly

Former Eagles QB breathing new life into career, Vikings

When the Eagles were 3-0, the schedule called for a bye. They haven’t won since.

Into Philadelphia on Sunday (10 a.m., KVVU-5) come the Minnesota Vikings, the NFL’s only unbeaten team. They are coming off a bye. So? “I think it’s 0-0 now, and we start a new season,” says Mike Zimmer , coach of the 5-0 Vikings. “You just forget about what has happened in the past, and we start moving on. So, now it’s, for us, I think it’s an 11game season, and we’ll see where we’re at then.”

Where they are at now is the Linc, and the Eagles have looked weak in dropping to 3-2. They were particularly unsightly last week at Washington.

But they are 2-0 at home. Among their biggest challenges is slowing a guy named Sam Bradford, who until just before the regular season was their starting quarterback. Then he was dealt to Minnesota, where he has been superb.

Playing for his sixth offensive coordinator in seven seasons, Bradford leads the NFL with a 70.4 percent completion rate, ranks second with a 109.8 passer rating and has taken 249 snaps without a turnover.

“I think it’s been a win-win, honestly,” Eagles coach Doug Pederson says. “In our case, our first-round (and) second overall pick (Carson Wentz) getting a chance to play this early; getting his feet wet, learning, putting us in a great spot. … He’s played a lot of football. He’s getting better every week.

“And from their standpoint, they got a good quarterback. He went to a playoff-caliber football team with a tremendous defense.”

NEW YORK GIANTS (3-3) VS. LOS ANGELES (3-3) 6:30 A.M., NFL NETWORK

Another morning game across the pond, with the Rams having gone to Detroit last week, then directly to London. Meanwhile, the Giants were breaking a three-game slide at home.

The NFL is trying a first by playing at Twickenham, a polo ground. New York took part in another first, beating Miami in its previous trip to London — the first regular-season game outside North America.

While the Giants could be without star receiver Odell Beckham Jr., who comes off a hip pointer, the Rams need to get last year’s Offensive Rookie of the Year, running back Todd Gurley, back to that form.

The Giants will be without kicker Josh Brown, who was placed on the NFL’s exempt (paid leave) list Friday after admitting to multiple cases of domestic violence against his exwife. New York signed kicker Robbie Gould, an 11-year veteran of the Chicago Bears who was cut in September for salary cap reasons.

OAKLAND (4-2) AT JACKSONVILLE (2-3) 10 A.M., KLAS-8

Raiders coach Jack Del Rio spent nine seasons in Jacksonville, leading the franchise to three winning seasons (2004, 2005, 2007) and two playoff appearances. The Raiders haven’t won in Florida since beating Tampa Bay in 2008 and are 0-2 at EverBank Field. But they have won all three road games this season.

The Jaguars seek a third consecutive victory in their only home game in a seven-week stretch. They did “host” Indianapolis in London, though.

NEW ENGLAND (5-1) AT PITTSBURGH (4-2) 1:25 P.M., KLAS-8

This matchup had some spice, but Ben Roethlisberger then damaged his knee, and suddenly this takes on the look of another Patriots romp — particularly if the Steel Curtain that was ripped apart by Miami doesn’t mend itself very quickly.

“A lot of people came in a lot more focused,” Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell said. “Not to say we weren’t focused last week, but I think losing the game the way we did, in the fashion that we did, kind of opened people’s eyes and let them know that you can get beat on any given week, no matter the team you’re playing.”

SEATTLE (4-1) AT ARIZONA (3-3) 5:20 P.M., KSNV-3

A Seahawks victory gives them solid control of the NFC West. Their offense has been hit or miss with a revamped offensive line and trying to find a running game. The defense has been primed, ranking first overall.

The Cardinals have lost all three home games against Seattle under Bruce Arians, outscored 105-34.

“It doesn’t matter if it’s on the road or at home, we’ve got to beat them,” Arians says. “If we’re going to win the division, we’ve got to beat them.”

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS