MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL GAME 2: MINNESOTA VIKINGS AT PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

BY ADAM GREENE

Our second game of the Monday Night Football doubleheader might be the best of the week as the Minnesota Vikings make their way to the City of Brotherly Love to take on the Philadelphia Eagles.

If you read my preseason previews, then you know I picked both of these franchises to make the playoffs and possibly battle for an NFC Wild Card spot. Of course, that was before Dak Prescott went down and will possibly miss seven games for the Dallas Cowboys. Philly’s path to the NFC East Championship and a home playoff game cleared considerably, if not completely with that.

This is just the 30^th all time meeting between the two franchises. Minnesota leads the series 15-14 and has won the past two. Their last meeting was on Oct. 13, 2019, with the Vikings winning 38-20. Kirk Cousins threw for 33 yards, four touchdowns and an interception in the victory. Alexander Mattison led the Vikes rushing, gaining 63 yards on 14 carries. Stefon Diggs (now with the Buffalo Bills) had seven catches for 167 yards and three scores. Carson Wentz (now with the Washington Commanders) threw for 306 yards, two TDs and a pick in the loss. He added 23 yards on the ground. Alshon Jeffery caught 10 passes for 76 yards and a score.

MINNESOTA VIKINGS AT PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (-2, O/U: 50.5)

Location: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, Pa.

Broadcast: ABC/ESPN+

Kickoff: Sep. 19, 8:30 p.m. EST

MINNESOTA VIKINGS (1-0)

Minnesota opened their 2022 campaign and the Kevin O’Connell era with a shocking 23-7 win over the Green Bay Packers. Kirk Cousins continued his legitimate good luck against the Pack, throwing for 277 yards and two touchdowns. Dalvin Cook had 20 carries for 90 yards. Justin Jefferson hauled in nine passes for 184 yards and two TDs.

The defense sacked Aaron Rodgers four times, picked him off once and forced a fumble.

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (1-0)

While the Eagles ended the opening week with their record still perfect, it wasn’t without a scare. Philadelphia surrendered a 17-point lead in the fourth quarter to hold onto a 38-35 win over the Detroit Lions on the road. Jalen Hurts finished 18 of 32 for 243 yards. He added 90 yards and a touchdown on the ground. Miles Sanders had 13 carries for 96 yards and a TD. AJ Brown, in his first regular season game with the Eagles, caught 10 passes for 155 yards. Hurts was sacked once.

The defense sacked Jared Goff once and nabbed an interception. They did surrender 144 yards on the ground to D’Andre Swift.

THE PICK

This is a legitimately stellar match up and maybe the toughest game this week to pick. All told, these two rosters are pretty evenly matched, except at wide receiver and it’s not because of sheer talent, but just the experience of the Minnesota unit. I think that will be the difference in a shootout. Vikings 34, Eagles 31

Last week

Straight up: 10-5-1

Against the spread: 9-7

Season

Straight up: 10-5-1

Against the spread: 9-7

Follow Adam Greene on Twitter @TheFirstMan.

Connect with us our socials on Twitter and Instagram for the latest sports news, viral moments, betting odds and the occasional memes.