The Birds are coming off a win against the Detroit Lions that wasn’t as convincing as many hoped it would be. While there were plenty of positives to take away from that game, concerns remain about Philadelphia’s defense. Can Jonathan Gannon find a way to handle a quarterback who isn’t completely terrible? Kirk Cousins has proven troublesome for the Birds in the past, and right now it’s hard to give Philly’s defensive coordinator the benefit of the doubt. The Vikings look to follow up a big win over the Green Bay Packers with another strong effort. Minnesota’s defense limited the damage Aaron Rodgers could do in Week 1. There could be pressure on the Eagles’ offense to score a lot of points if Justin Jefferson and Dalvin Cook prove to be as demanding as they appear. The winner of this game will feel really good. They will have a 2-0 record and contend as one of the best teams in the NFC. The loser may think they are good but not good enough. Bleeding Green Nation will be covering this game with live updates in the form of highlights, analysis and more. Be sure to follow and refresh the page often. (NOTE: This is NOT a game thread, it’s a live blog that will turn into a game recap. Please use BGN’s designated game threads for each quarter to discuss the in-game happenings there. The first quarter thread is HERE.)
FIRST WEDNESDAY
The Eagles targeted DeVonta Smith on the first play, who went for a five-yard reception. Who would have guessed the Birds would try to touch him early? Jalen Hurts rolled right and found an open Dallas Goedert for a first down. Miles Sanders’ first carry was 12 yards. Hurts was tackled for no gain to bring up a 3rd and 9. On third down, Hurts found Kenneth Gainwell on the verge of a catch and run to move the chains … but the big play was broken up by Landon Dickerson who he was illegally on the field by far. On 3rd and 13, Hurts stood in the pocket with good coverage and threw a hit to AJ Brown for a first down. Nice throw! Hurts found Zach Pascal short to convert a 3rd and 3. Pascal also had a third down in Detroit last week. is a factor in these situations. Two plays later, Hurts fed through contact to punch it in for a touchdown. Strong movement opening. Weird sequence on the Eagles’ extra point where they had to redo the extra point because the “Vikings’ sidekicks” were on the field. So how was it not a penalty? The Vikings were then penalized for being offsides … but the Eagles rejected the flag instead of trying to go for two points from the 1-yard line. EAGLES 7, VIKINGS 0.
The Vikings’ first drive was a 3-pointer with Darius Slay knocking down a Kirk Cousins pass intended for Justin Jefferson. Jefferson wanted a pass interference call but the refs didn’t give it to him. Slay quickly grabbed Jefferson’s arm… but the refs won’t always say that. Nick Sirianni fired up and ran to celebrate with the defense after the stoppage. Offensive pass interference on DeVonta turned 3rd-and-2 into 3rd-and-12. Hurts was then sacked from behind after holding the ball to force a fumble. Jalen Reagor booed as he lined up to return the Eagles’ first punt … and then cheered after he was tackled by Zech McPhearson for a gain of just one yard. The Vikings reached 3rd and 5 and James Bradbury overthrew a third down to Irv Smith. Strong start for Jonathan Gannon’s defence. The Eagles were called for their fourth offensive penalty on their third drive. It was their third ineligible man down the field with Isaac Seumalo named as the culprit.
SECOND WEDNESDAY
Hurts threw deep to a wide open Quez Watkins, who broke free with a Vikings safety mistakenly helping with Goedert instead of staying with the speedy wide receiver. EAGLES 14, VIKINGS 0.
Jalen Reagor jet sweep on 3rd and 1 for a 17-yard gain … and boos from the crowd at the Linc. The Vikings drove into the red zone and Haason Reddick, who dropped into coverage against backup Johnny Mundt, allowed a 17-yard reception to set up 1st-and-goal at the 2-yard line. Cousins then hit Irv Smith on a short pass for the score. Reddick in coverage is definitely lost. EAGLES 14, VIKINGS 7.
The Eagles reached 3rd and 12 and Hurts was out of bounds, but they were helped by an illegal contact penalty by the Vikings for another set of downs. Hurts’ first accident came on a play where Goedert was tightly covered and nearly made a catch, but Cameron Dantlzer fumbled the ball before the end to set up possession. Just a great defensive play to break up a good shot in a tight window. Hurts’ third down pass was completed without the sticks to force a punt. Second offensive move of the night without points.
TJ Edwards knocked down a Cousins third-down pass up the middle to force another three-and-out. Hurts hit DeVonta up the middle on back-to-back plays for gains of 19 and 16 yards. Boston Scott then took a 16-yard draw. Sanders then took a nine-yard draw. Facing 3rd and 2, Hurts took off running … but not just for the first down. Instead of going out, he got a good block by Goedert on Harrison Smith and then powered through contact to extend for a touchdown. Pretty impressive stuff! EAGLES 21, VIKINGS 7.
Josh Sweat sacked Cousins … but grabbed his facemask to wipe the sack. Womp. Cousins was nearly sacked on a deep throw that appeared to be affected by the pressure … but it was almost complete deep to Irv Smith … who instead threw what could have been a touchdown. What a break. Especially for CJ Gardner-Johnson. Cousins’ third down pass was incomplete to set up another stop. Funny how it wasn’t an intentional grounding when no one was even near the ball. The refs said Dalvin Cook was in the zone but … he wasn’t. Not at all.
The Eagles took over at their own 5-yard line with 1:14 left in the second quarter. Hurts threw the ball with a nice touch to a soft spot to find Devonta for a first down. Hurts hit Goedert for a 19-yard catch-and-run down the left sideline. Not sure why the Vikings left him so wide open. Hurts put a big touch on another pass to Goedert over the middle, another high-level throw. That completion set up a 38-yard field goal by Jake Elliott. Huge to get some points on that drive and make it a three possession game. EAGLES 24, VIKINGS 7.
THIRD FOURTH
FOURTH FOURTH
LINEUP NOTES
Quez Watkins returned to take the kickoff.
INJURIES
AJ Brown was briefly examined on the medical stage midway through the second quarter. However, he wasted no time.
