Eagles (3-2) at Vikings (3-2)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis
TV: Fox
Danny by 3
Eagles’ keys to victory: Get the running game going early. The Vikings’ defense feasts on one-dimensional teams. If the Eagles can’t establish the run with Jordan Howard and rookie Miles Sanders, expect the Vikings to send bodies at QB Carson Wentz, led by the tandem of DEs Danielle Hunter and Everson Griffen. In the last two games, both Eagles victories, Wentz has thrown for a relatively low 160 and 189 yards, respectively. Despite its injuries, the Eagles’ offense has put up at least 20 points in every game this season.
Vikings’ keys to victory: Get RB Dalvin Cook involved early. There’s been so much talk about Kirk Cousins’ struggles, and rightfully so, but the Vikings can get ahead of the problem if they don’t need Cousins to throw. If Cook and rookie Alexander Mattison can find success in the first half against an Eagles defense that has under-performed thus far, the Vikings should be able to use playaction more and get easy completions.
Matchup to watch: Eagles QB Carson Wentz vs. Vikings linebackers. Minnesota’s linebacker corps plays well against traditional quarterbacks but struggles against mobile quarterbacks. The same goes for opposing shiftier running backs in pass coverage. It will be interesting to see what sort of game plan Vikings coach Mike Zimmer devises against Wentz.
Who wins? We don’t really know who either of these teams are, which is problematic at the halfway point. The Vikings will ride the momentum of the home crowd.
Vikings, 24-14 Sheridan’s line: Vikings
Eagles schedule
W .... Washington .... 32-27 L ....... at Atlanta ....... 24-20 L .......... Detroit .......... 27-24 W .... at Green Bay .... 34-27 W ......... N.Y. Jets ......... 31-6 Oct. 13 ... at Minnesota ... 1 Oct. 20 .... at Dallas .... 8:20 Oct. 27 ...... at Buffalo ...... 1 Nov. 3 ......... Chicago ......... 1 Nov. 10 ............. BYE ............. Nov. 17 New England 4:25 Nov.24 ..... Seattle ..... 8:20 Dec. 1 ........ at Miami ........ 1 Dec. 9 ... N.Y. Giants ... 8:15 Dec. 15 . at Washington . 1 Dec. 22 ...... Dallas ...... 4:25 Dec. 29 .. at N.Y. Giants .. 1
Vikings schedule
W ......... Atlanta ......... 28-12 L .... at Green Bay .... 21-16 W ........ Oakland ........ 34-14 L ........ at Chicago ........ 16-6 W ...atN.Y.Giants ...28-10 Oct. 13 .... Philadelphia .... 1 Oct. 20 ...... at Detroit ...... 1 Oct. 24 . Washington . 8:20 Nov. 3 ... at Kansas City ... 1 Nov. 10 .... at Dallas .... 8:20 Nov.17 ........ Denver ........ 1 Nov. 24 ............. BYE ............. Dec. 2 .... at Seattle .... 8:15 Dec. 8 ......... Detroit ......... 1 Dec. 15 at L.A. Chrgrs 8:20 Dec.23 ..GreenBay ..8:15 Dec. 29 ....... Chicago ....... 1