Minnesota Vikings @ Philadelphia Eagles
Everyone thinks the Eagles are back to a playoff caliber team now that they took out the Falcons. Despite me taking the Eagles last week, I said in week 16 Philly was in a very tough spot to end the year thanks to both their inexperience and their injuries. They were fortunate to face an overrated Falcons team off a bye, but that victory didn't impress me. They'll have a much tougher test getting past the 2nd best coach in the league, without their star QB. The Eagles didn’t need Nick Foles in last week’s game, but this is the game where Wentz will be missed in my opinion.
Philadelphia will find it extremely hard moving the ball on this Vikings defense. Drew Brees and the Saints went 6 years without being shutout @ halftime, until last weekend. Yes New Orleans moved the ball late and scored some points, but they also needed a huge 4th down and 10 conversion, a terrible interception thrown by Keenum into double coverage, and a blocked punt leading to a short field to aid in their comeback.
Additionally, the Saints had 0 points late in the 3rd quarter prior to the Vikings starting safety leaving the game with a concussion. 0 points through 43 minutes of game time. Do I need to repeat that? The Vikings held Brees and the Saints to 0 points through 43 minutes of game time. Zimmer had his defense as prepared as can be against one of the best offenses in the league. Once Sadejo got knocked out of the game, Minnesota could no longer blitz as they needed more help in coverage which changed their defensive schemes. His injury in addition to those mistakes above helped Brees tremendously in scoring 24 points late in the game but make no mistake about it, Minnesota’s defense was absolutely lights out. Yes that was a home game in their own stadium, and this will be a road game in weather conditions - but they are also going from facing the high powered Saints offense, to Nick Foles and a rungame that has produced 3.65 yards per carry over the past 4 games. The Eagles will not be able to move the ball consistently in this game and I wouldn’t be surprised if they didn’t score a single touchdown.
The Vikings meanwhile, have a tough test going against a solid Eagles defense outside of their home stadium as well, however, Minnesota's defense is still better - while I trust Zimmer + Keenum far more than Pederson + Foles.
- Vikings -3 +100 ($4,000)
- Eagles Under 8 points first half ($1,000)
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