On paper, this does not look like a fair fight.
On one side, the Minnesota Vikings come off a disappointing loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. On the other side, the Philadelphia Eagles, who are at home, are fresh off of pulling out a hard-fought win against Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots.
Buy Vikings TicketsThe Eagles are the reigning NFC champions and have a roster loaded with talent. How do the Vikings match up as they face each other tonight?
In this exercise, we look at who has the advantage at each position on the field.
Quarterback
Advantage: Philadelphia
Jalen Hurts is arguably the best quarterback in the NFC, let alone in this game. Hurts’ ability in the run game make him a true dual threat quarterback, and constant attention from the linebackers in a defense is required. Compounded with his ability to throw off-structure, you have a recipe for disaster.
Kirk Cousins is a good quarterback, he is. He will run your system how it is supposed to be run and elevate it to its highest potential. However, in today’s NFL, if a quarterback has the ability to create out of structure, they get the advantage.
Running back
Advantage: Philadelphia
With Gainwell out, the Eagles will use the three-headed monster of D’Andre Swift, Boston Scott and Rashaad Penny. Swift has had flashes of that dominant back out of Georgia the Lions drafted but has not lived up to expectation. Scott and Penny are good backup options that will give you plus production if given the opportunity.
Minnesota’s tandem of Alexander Mattison and Ty Chandler did not impress on Sunday. They had a rough outing against the stout front seven of Tampa Bay and remain a relative unknown.
Given that we know what we’re getting out of Philly’s backs and the lackluster showing on Sunday, the Eagles get the edge.
Wide receiver
Advantage: Minnesota
The Eagles trot out one of the best one-two punches in the league with A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith. On any team, either can be your WR1, and they ended up on the same team. The two former SEC wideouts are perfect complements to each other, with Smith being the finesse route-runner that works the intermediate and Brown being the hard-nosed athlete that can take the top off a defense.
Minnesota fights back with the superstar in Justin Jefferson, that can get open in any situation. He can either take the top off your defense or get open underneath and abuse your defenders in open space after the catch. With him is rookie Jordan Addison, who showed almost immediately why his role in this team’s passing attack is essential.
With both of these rooms, there is no chance of double-teaming them, so you have to hover these two and allow the third and fourth options to beat you. K.J. Osborn seems to be a better receiver than Quez Watkins, so I give the slight edge in the receiver department to the Vikings.
Tight end
Advantage: Minnesota
They have four tight ends on the roster, including T.J. Hockenson, that can have a game-changing impact. Josh Oliver, Johnny Mundt and Nick Muse all have specialized roles in this offense that they play well.
Philadelphia’s tight end room starts with Dallas Goedert, a really good tight end that deserves to be discussed with some of the big names at the position. Backup Jack Stoll is a solid backup option, while Albert Okwuegbunam and Grant Calcaterra show good upside.
While the starters are neck-and-neck, the advantage depth-wise has to go to Minnesota.
Offensive line
Advantage: Philadelphia
We’ll keep this brief.
Philadelphia’s offensive line may be one of the best in the NFL.
Minnesota’s offensive line has struggled with keeping Cousins upright.
The advantage goes to Philadelphia.
Defensive line
Advantage: Philadelphia
Philadelphia’s defensive line has been the cream of the crop for a couple of years now. Philadelphia creates pressure in the pass with just the defensive line and can effectively stop the run. Brandon Graham, Jordan Davis, Fletcher Cox and Josh Sweat are names that elicit fear from offensive coordinators individually, let alone as a unit.
Minnesota is not there yet, but they have solid starters up front. Harrison Phillips, who had a pretty good game against Tampa, Dean Lowry, Jonathan Bullard, Jaquelin Roy and Khyiris Tonga all play their roles on the line.
When it comes to an advantage, there’s no contest. The Eagles defensive line takes the edge.
Linebackers
Advantage: Philadelphia
Keeping Haason Reddick was a crucial move for the Eagles, as he bolsters their pass-rush and allows for even more versatility along the line. However, the injury to Nakobe Dean does take away from the depth of the inside linebacker group. The Eagles now rely on Zach Cunningham and Christian Elliss to stay healthy and man the middle of the defense.
Danielle Hunter, Pat Jones II and D.J. Wonnum fill out the rotation for Minnesota. While Marcus Davenport is questionable to make his debut, for the sake of this exercise, we will continue on as if he is not. The play of Ivan Pace, Jr. and Jordan Hicks have pushed Brian Asamoah II and Troy Dye into a rotational role. There is a lot to like about the athleticism of this Minnesota linebacker group. They need reps to have the game slow down for them, and this could be a good unit.
Until then, we give the slight edge to the known commodity in the Eagles linebacker group.
Corners
Advantage: Draw
Cornerback James Bradberry is out for this game and replaced by Josh Jobe, second year corner out of Alabama. On the other side of Jobe is former All-pro Darius Slay. At the nickel corner spot is Avonte Maddox, so while the Bradberry news does hurt, there is still a ton of talent in this room. Not to mention rookies Eli Ricks and Kelee Ringo, who are itching to make their presence felt.
Mekhi Blackmon played well in a few snaps against Tampa. Byron Muphy, Jr. and Akayleb Evans looked like good starters against talented receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. This unit may be solid, and can hold their own against good talent.
With Bradberry, this is a clear edge for Philadelphia, but without him, there are more questions than answers. Given the talent in both rooms, this is a draw.
Safeties
Advantage: Minnesota
Reed Blankenship is out, that leaves Justin Evans with rookie Sydney Brown as the only other ranging free safety. While Brown plays with good instincts, he is still just a rookie. Terrell Edmunds is a good rotational piece in that secondary.
Harrison Smith and Cam Bynum headline a talented and young safety room. Brian Flores has six safeties that he can use in different ways to maximize his defense. From Lewis Cine and Josh Metellus to Jay Ward and Theo Jackson, Flores has plenty of playmakers at his disposal.
Because of the sheer depth and talent in the room, as opposed to Philadelphia, the edge goes to Minnesota.
Specialists
Advantage: Philadelphia
Jake Elliot is a model of consistency, going 20-of-23 last season and starting this season 4-of-4, including 2-of-2 from 50+ yards. Arryn Siposs has started this season okay with 49.3 yards/punt.
Greg Joseph was good from 25-yards out on Sunday when the Vikings needed him to be, but hasn’t gotten a true chance to show off his ability. Ryan Wright’s 51.4 yards/punt is good for 6th in the league.
The slight edge goes to Philadelphia, only because they have had more opportunity.
