Eagles, Vikings stage NFC championship rematch
When last they met, the Eagles and Vikings were vying for a spot in the Super Bowl.
Now they are searching for consistency.
“Each week — and (Eagles defensive coordinator) Jim Schwartz mentioned it and it’s true,” Philadelphia coach Doug Pederson says, “you’re two plays away from maybe being 0-4 and two plays away from being 4-0. That’s how tight this thing really is.”
Coming off its championship season Philly has won twice at home and fallen twice on the road, last week blowing a 14-point lead to lose in overtime at Tennessee. The defense remains stout much of the time, but fell apart in key spots at the Titans, especially in OT.
“Therefore, with that being said,” Pederson adds, “as coaches we got to make sure we’re doing our part to prepare our players and get them ready for those situations.”
Minnesota’s dilemma is deeper. While the Eagles are just a half-game out of the NFC East lead, the Vikings are 1-2-1 and trail Chicago and Green Bay in the NFC North.
Most important, Minnesota must find a running game, ranking last. If Dalvin Cook can get healthy, it would be a huge help.
“It has been difficult,” coach Mike Zimmer says. “We have to be patient with it, No. 1. Honestly, a little bit has been dictated with some of the scores throughout the last couple ballgames. It’s important for us to have balance. It keeps the defensive line from pinning their ears back all the time. I think it helps the football team overall. We just have to do a better job.”
The weekend began Thursday night with New England’s 38-24 home victory over Indianapolis.
Tom Brady reached 500 touchdown passes and New England (3-2) won its second straight after a mediocre start to the season Brady also tied Colts kicker Adam Vinatieri, a former teammate, for most NFL victories with 226. Indianapolis dropped to 1-4.
Off are Tampa Bay (2-2) and Chicago (3-1).
Los Angeles Rams (40) 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 offense 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 defense.
Seattle’s season, despite two straight wins, got messier when it lost star safety Earl Thomas (broken leg) and tight end Will Dissly (patellar tendon) for the year. Thomas’s parting gesture to the Seahawks sideline was not quite complimentary.
Miami (3-1) at Cincinnati (3-1)
Despite some awful statistics including being outgained by 435 yards and outscored 90-82, Miami leads the AFC East. Of course, it was routed in New England last weekend. The Dolphins do lead the league with nine interceptions.
Also on top of their division, tied with Baltimore in the AFC North, the Bengals are struggling on defense, too. They rank last on third downs, allowing opponents to convert 57 percent. But the offense has sizzled, especially in the red zone: Cincinnati has scored in its past 34 trips, the longest active streak in the NFL.
New York Giants (1-3) at Carolina (2-1)
Look for the Panthers to get off to a running start coming off their bye. They are No. 1 in rushing offense and the Giants are No. 29 in run defense. Panthers RB Christian McCaffrey is coming off a 28-carry, 184-yard performance against Cincinnati.
New York doesn’t score much despite two dynamic performers — WR Odell Beckham Jr. and second overall draft choice RB Saquon Barkley. But the rookie can become the third NFL player with at least 100 yards from scrimmage in his first five games, joining Adrian Peterson and Kareem Hunt.
Tennessee (3-1) at Buffalo (1-3)
Coming off a spectacular rally to beat defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia, the Titans are riding high. Expected to be potent rushing the ball, they’ve been so-so. But Marcus Mariota finished 30 of 43 for 344 yards and two touchdowns, plus a TD rushing against the Eagles, and Tennessee converted three fourth-down plays, one by penalty in overtime.
The Bills got back to looking inept at Green Bay after that shocking win at Minnesota. They were shut out for first time since 2008 and had 145 yards offense, matching their fewest since a 40-7 loss at Chicago in 2006.
Dallas (2-2) at Houston (1-3)
Not exactly Santa Anna vs. Davy Crockett at the Alamo, this Texas showdown looks more like a skirmish.
The Texans were ballyhooed as a club ready to rise as they got back the likes of J.J. Watt and Deshaun Watson. The first time they rose was last Sunday at Indianapolis, and they needed overtime and a gamble by Colts coach Frank Reich that backfired to get their lone victory.
Dallas got its offense on track in beating Detroit and faces a mediocre pass defense. Problem is, the Cowboys rank 30th in passing and workhorse running back Zeke Elliott might be their primary receiver, too.
Since the Texans won their NFL debut against the Cowboys in 2002, Dallas has taken the next three meetings.
Denver (2-2) at New York Jets (1-3)
Both sides got off to nice starts in 2018 and now are struggling.
New York has little offensive flair behind rookie QB Sam Darnold, which was to be expected. He’ll face another difficult defense that can pressure the quarterback: Denver has 10 sacks, four by All-Pro Von Miller.
The Broncos can run the ball with a pair of solid rookies, Phillip Lindsay and Royce Freeman, but Case Keenum has three touchdown passes and twice as many picks.