Dec 13, 2020; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (2) and quarterback Carson Wentz (11) warm up before the start of the game against the New Orleans Saints at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-USA TODAY Sports James Lang
The Philadelphia Eagles are headed way up north to revisit the site of their first Super Bowl victory. On Sunday afternoon, they'll face the 3-2 Minnesota Vikings, quarterbacked by the Eagles' former franchise figurehead, Carson Wentz.
The Eagles are currently 4-2, but it sure doesn't feel like it after they dropped two straight games to the Denver Broncos and the New York Giants. They haven't been in action since Oct. 9, so hopefully they made use of their mini-bye and fixed some glaring issues.
Even with the Birds' last two showings, they're still favored by 2.5 points to beat the Vikings, according to FanDuel Sportsbook. Let's take a look at what our On Pattison staffers think will happen.
Tim Kelly (3-3)
Score: Eagles 24 - Vikings 20
Game MVP: Carson Wentz's decision-making
Truthfully, I don't know what to make of this game. The Eagles are in a rough stretch right now, but they are too talented to lose three games in a row. Or maybe they aren't, I guess we'll find out.
I'm going to bet that a late-game turnover from Carson Wentz – who is starting his fourth game in a row in place of the injured J.J. McCarthy – allows his former team to escape with a victory.
Anthony SanFilippo (2-4)
Score: Vikings 23 - Eagles 19
Game MVP: J.J. McCarthy's slow-healing ankle
Be honest, coming off two straight ugly losses, this week's matchup wouldn't have had the same juice if it weren't for the fact that Carson Wentz was starting at quarterback for the Vikings. This is a gift from the football gods for everyone because one of two things will happen – either the Eagles defense smothers him, and everyone revels in beating up on a backup quarterback who was once considered the savior in Philadelphia. Or, Wentz has a good game and leads the Vikings to victory as Eagles fans go into nuclear meltdown mode. For impartial observers like myself, both are great theater.
Now, my record picking Eagles games this season is 2-4. But, if you go back through them, I had the Eagles right where they are now – at 4-2. They won two games I thought they'd lose and lost two games I thought they'd win. So, I'm good with my overall feel for this team, even if we took different paths to get to the same conclusion.
That said, I'm really not liking the Eagles offense right now – and it's not about the skill players either. I'm concerned with the offensive line being banged up or taking a step back and preventing the Eagles from doing the things they did so well in 2024. And the Vikings get after you, which will put further stress on them. Also, Minnesota has some talented receivers and the Eagles secondary is so scary right now, you might want to consider dressing up as them for Halloween in a couple weeks. I think the Eagles finally get out of their rut next week at home, but not before they lose to Wentz and crush Philadelphia's collective soul in the process.
Grace Del Pizzo (2-4)
Score: Vikings 28 - Eagles 24
Game MVP: The Carson Wentz-Justin Jefferson connection everyone wanted to see in 2020
I really, truly, honestly don't know what to make of this Eagles team anymore, man.
On paper, they're a juggernaut. In practice, they're nearly unwatchable. Things just aren't clicking. Going right from the Phillies' season ending to that Eagles-Giants Thursday Night Football game was like a punch to the gut immediately followed by a sucker punch to the face.
Jefferson and Wentz, the Vikings' starter while J.J. McCarthy's ankle takes its sweet time to heal, are on a roll. Over Wentz's three games as the starter, Jefferson has caught 22 passes for 324 yards, averaging a terrifying 14.7 yards per catch. The Eagles' secondary is equally terrifying, and there's also WR2 Jordan Addison to take into consideration.
If the Eagles offense wants to succeed, they'll have to get the run game going. The Vikings' passing defense ranks No. 2 in the NFL, allowing just 157.6 yards per game. Their 24th-ranked rushing defense is a different story. Saquon Barkley and the Eagles offensive line – which, as of late, has been uncharacteristically sloppy – will need to take advantage early and often.
I don't see a win with this one, especially with the Eagles being on the road. If the Birds prove me wrong and I drop to 2-5 on the season, I won't mind! If they prove me right... well, my only advice is to avoid sports radio like the plague come Monday. (And probably Tuesday, and Wednesday, et cetera, et cetera.)