Week 2 of the National Football League starts with Thursday Night Football, featuring a showdown between the Minnesota Vikings and the Philadelphia Eagles.
Last season, the Minnesota Vikings emerged as NFC North champions with a remarkable 13 wins, but they’ve stumbled out of the gate this year, opening with a disappointing 0-1 record. Their season opener at home saw them fall short against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, losing 20-17.
In contrast, the defending NFC Champions, the Philadelphia Eagles, managed to secure a 25-20 victory over the New England Patriots in their season opener.
As they enter this primetime matchup, the Eagles are favored by -7.5 points, with the total points for the game set at 48.5.
Cousins and Vikings Back to Drawing Board
Minnesota is in dire need of a quick turnaround. Kirk Cousins, their experienced quarterback, had an uneven performance in the season opener.
Despite throwing for an impressive 344 yards and two touchdowns, his interception and two lost fumbles proved costly for the Minnesota offense. Justin Jefferson was his primary target throughout the game, amassing an impressive 150 receiving yards on nine receptions but failing to find the end zone.
On the scoring front, Alexander Mattison and Jordan Addison carried the load for Minnesota. Addison, making his rookie debut, contributed four catches for 61 yards and a touchdown.
TJ Hockenson, a highly regarded tight end, hauled in eight passes but managed only 35 yards in the game. Unfortunately, the Vikings’ ground game struggled, with just 45 yards gained on 18 carries.
Hurts and Eagles Seeking Two Straight
Conversely, the Philadelphia Eagles are eager to build on their 1-0 start to the season. In their game against the Patriots, the Eagles jumped out to a 16-0 lead early, hinting at a potential blowout. However, their first-half momentum waned, and they managed just a field goal in the third quarter, turning the game into a one-score contest.
Kicker Jake Elliott was instrumental in the victory, converting four field goals, while the Eagles’ lone offensive touchdown came when Jalen Hurts connected with Devonte Smith, extending their lead to 16-0.
A key moment in the game was Darius Slay’s interception in the first quarter, which set the tone by giving the Eagles a 10-0 lead that they never relinquished.
Although they allowed Mac Jones to throw three touchdown passes, the Eagles’ defense ultimately secured the win.
Kenneth Gainwell led the Eagles in rushing attempts with 14, accumulating 54 yards, while DeAndrew Swift had a limited role with just one carry for three yards.
AJ Brown was the top receiver, tallying seven receptions for 79 yards. Smith, in addition to his touchdown catch, also caught seven passes.
Eagles Move to 2-0; Vikings Fall to 0-2
As the Minnesota Vikings struggle to regain their form from the previous season, it’s evident that something isn’t quite right. While they often emerged victorious in close games last year, their performance in the season opener suggests that replicating that success may prove challenging this season.
Also, Kirk Cousins has got to do a better job of taking care of the football, and if Minnesota cannot run in this game, they will be in trouble.
On the flip side, the Philadelphia Eagles, despite not playing their best football in Week One, managed to emerge victorious. The Eagles are a formidable team on both offense and defense, and they are poised for a stronger showing in this upcoming game.
Expect Jalen Hurts to shine and the Eagles to secure a comfortable victory. Betting on the Eagles with a -7.5-point spread is a prudent choice for Thursday Night Football.
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