The Philadelphia Eagles[2-0] defeat the Minnesota Vikings[0-2] 34-28 in week 2. Next week, the Eagles will travel to play the Tampa Bay Buccaneers while the Vikings host the Los Angeles Chargers.
1st Quarter: Another weird offensive play call on the opening drive with a read option on 3rd and goal from the 8-yard line. Jake Elliott makes a 24-yard field goal for the Eagles. No shots to the endzone on that first drive of the game for the Eagles offense. On the opening series on defense, we finally see some 5-man defensive fronts. On Britain Covey’s first punt return, he fumbles but luckily the Eagles recover it. On an Eagles punt, Justin Evans forces Vikings Punt Returner Brandon Powell to fumble and Nicholas Morrow recovers at the Eagles 27-yard line. Jalen Hurts throws an interception to Vikings Safety Theo Jackson who gives the Vikings the ball at their own 35-yard line. Vikings Running Back Alexander Mattison fumbles and Eagles Safety Justin Evans recovers at the Vikings 39-yard line. On 3rd and 5, Eagles Offensive Coordinator Brian Johnson calls a QB draw that gets blown up. I still do not understand any of the play calls. Jake Elliott misses a 55-yard field goal wide right.
2nd Quarter: Vikings Quarterback Kirk Cousins throws a 5-yard touchdown to Tight End T.J. Hockenson. Jalen Hurts runs in a 1-yard touchdown on a signature QB sneak. Wide Receiver Justin Jefferson fumbles the ball over the pylon and into the endzone for a Vikings turnover. Jake Elliott makes a franchise record-tying 61-yard field goal to end the first half. This ties his own record he set with the game-winning kick against the Giants in 2017. Eagles lead at halftime 13-7.
3rd Quarter: In the opening series, Kirk Cousins is strip-sacked by Josh Sweat. Fletcher Cox recovers the fumble and gives the Eagles the ball at the Vikings 7-yard line. Jalen Hurts runs in a 1-yard touchdown on a signature QB sneak. Jalen Hurts throws a 63-yard touchdown to Wide Receiver DeVonta Smith. Kirk Cousins throws a 62-yard touchdown to Wide Receiver Jordan Addison.
4th Quarter: Kirk Cousins throws a 10-yard touchdown to K.J. Osborn. Eagles Running Back D’Andre Swift runs in a 2-yard touchdown. Kirk Cousins throws a 5-yard touchdown to Tight End T.J. Hockenson. The Eagles won 34-28.
Eagles Notes:
Jalen Hurts-Not a great start for Hurts. An ugly interception and he started the game running like he did against New England. After the interception, there was a switch in the offense and Hurts was more efficient on his passes. He needs to learn to get rid of the ball instead of taking the sack because it cost the team a chance at a field goal.
D’Andre Swift-Fantastic game on the ground. This is our starting running back. 28 carries for 175 rushing yards and 1 touchdown. It was a great welcome home game for the Philly native. Swift was a huge part of a 259-yard rushing performance from the team.
A.J. Brown-This team wants to win a Super Bowl. You do not see anyone calling for the ball more in this team. But suddenly when the team is trying to close out the game you are arguing with your QB. Then he listens to you and forces the ball your way resulting in incomplete passes and a change of possession. What is wrong with you? You play to win. If after the game you just feel like you should have gotten the ball more then just talk with Jalen. Not in the middle of a close game. There are times to be doing these things and that was not the time. The last 2 defenses played the pass if you noticed and even Goedert didn’t get any catches in the last game. This is game 2 so learn from your own mental and emotional mistakes in this game and move on to the next game. I love having you here and I know there are a lot of people around you who love having you here too. You just have to know when to confront your teammates about issues and how you confront them.
DeVonta Smith-Excellent game despite not having many targets. For games like these, we needed a route runner to create some separation and DeVonte did that.
Defensive Line-This defensive line is the best I think I have seen in my lifetime. Nobody can run the ball and the Quarterbacks are forced to make quick passes.
Pass Defense-I understand there were some injuries and for playing against a team with Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, T.J. Hockenson, and K.J. Osborn, they did pretty well. Jefferson can not be covered by just anyone and Slay was all over him. You have to prevent the big plays in the future, especially if you will face teams like the Cowboys and 49ers.
Jake Elliott-In this game I thought about Mark Moseley’s 1982 MVP season as a kicker. At the rate this team was going I thought Elliott was gonna carry us again. Best start to the season I have seen from Elliott.
Offensive Play Calling-In the first quarter the play calling was as bad as it was last week. A QB draw on 3rd and goal from the 8-yard line and no shots at the endzone that drive. Horrendous start and at some point in the second quarter there was a flip of the switch. We started running the ball and we did it good and often. This led to different defensive calls for the Vikings defense and it opened up the passing game for deep passes to DeVonta Smith. We need to see this amount of running from here on out. Defensively the play calling was extremely better despite injuries.
Injuries-Avonte Maddox, Boston Scott, and Quez Watkins all left with injuries. I think Maddox’s injury might be serious but hopefully, James Bradberry and Reed Blankenship coming back will not affect the secondary too much. Boston Scott added to Kenneth Gainwell on the injury list will likely push Trey Sermon to the active roster or the addition of another Running Back. Quez’s injury might bring Greg Ward to the active roster as well if it is serious.
Overall: Another questionable win with a lot to clean up. Feels like how the Eagles started the season last year. This game was a lot better and against a better team like the Vikings so I expect this team to only get better and better when learning from any mistakes they may make.
-Jordan Burden