Following a Week 1 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Kirk Cousins and the Minnesota Vikings are headed to Philadelphia for a Thursday night matchup with the Eagles.
The quick turnaround for both teams should help erase the stench of sloppy offensive possessions and defensive breakdowns that cost the Vikings and nearly cost the Eagles.
Buy Eagles TicketsBoth teams are banged up, and Philadelphia will be without four starters, including three on the defensive side of the ball.
With kickoff on Amazon Prime fast approaching, we’re looking at ten players to watch.
Eagles QB Jalen Hurts
Hurts was 22 off 33 passing, for 170 yards and one touchdown in the win over New England.
Thursday night is about being efficient and more decisive with the football, while avoiding droughts on offense or a lack of targets for Dallas Goedert.
Vikings QB Kirk Cousins
Cousins completed 33 of 44 passes for 344 yards with two touchdowns and one interception while adding three rushes for seven yards in the Vikings’ 20-17 loss to the Buccaneers on Sunday.
He’s had some primetime struggles, but the Eagles play soft coverages at times and Cousins will have his shots on Thursday night.
Eagles RB D'Andre Swift
Swift had one catch and zero carries on 18 snaps in Philadelphia’s season opener and that won’t be the case with Kenneth Gainwell nursing a rib injury.
Look for the Eagles to take pressure off quarterback Jalen Hurts by making Swift a viable part of the passing game.
Vikings WR Justin Jefferson
Jefferson had 150 receiving yards in the opener, and he’ll look to rebound from the 2022 outing that saw him held in check by Darius Slay.
Eagles TE Dallas Goedert
Goedert was held to zero catches on 1 target in the season opener and he’ll look to bounce back in a huge way.
Vikings C Austin Schlottmann
Originally undrafted out of TCU, Schlottmann started his NFL career with the Denver Broncos, find a role as a backup. He then decided to sign with the Vikings a couple of seasons ago, finding a niche as the backup to Bradbury.
Can Schlottmann hold up under the pressure that Jalen Carter, Fletcher Cox and Jordan Davis will apply?
Eagles DT Jalen Carter
Carter was dominant in Week 1, and with Garrett Bradbury ruled out, he’ll face a backup center in Vikings reserve, Austin Schlottmann.
Eagles LB Christian Elliss
With Nakobe Dean out, it’ll be Christian Elliss who gets the start at middle linebacker, and Elliss will be thrust into the fire.
Eagles CB Josh Jobe
The second-year cornerback will start in Week 2 with All-Pro coverguy, James Bradberry out with a concussion.
Jobe is a solid cornerback, but he could draw safety help when matched up with Justin Jefferson.
Eagles Safety Sydney Brown
With Reed Blankenship out, Terrell Edmunds will likely start at one safety spot, but it’ll be the rookie, Brown who could be the biggest x-factor.
Vikings CB Akayleb Evans
Evans started at cornerback opposite Byron Murphy and had five total tackles and two passes defensed in Sunday’s loss to the Buccaneers.
In Week 1, Evans allowed just two receptions on six targets for 12 yards, according to Pro Football Focus.
His matchup with A.J. Brown will be key.
