The Minnesota Vikings and Philadelphia Eagles are set to clash in week three of the NFL preseason on Saturday at Lincoln Financial Field, with kickoff scheduled for 1:00 p.m. ET.
Saturday’s matchup is a pick ’em, with the total set at 33.5 points.
With rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy sidelined for the entire season due to a knee injury, Minnesota will look to former first-round pick Sam Darnold to lead the charge. The Vikings are coming off a disappointing 7-10 season and will need to regroup quickly if they aim for a postseason berth in 2024.
On the other hand, Philadelphia enters the season with high hopes of reaching the Super Bowl. After finishing second in the NFC East with an 11-5 record last year, the Eagles possess one of the league’s most dynamic offenses, spearheaded by quarterback Jalen Hurts and a talented roster of receivers. The addition of running back Saquon Barkley, following the departure of D’Andre Swift to Chicago, adds another layer of excitement to their offensive strategy.
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Vikings’ Defense Faces Major Challenges
The Vikings’ plans took a hit with McCarthy’s injury, pushing Darnold into a crucial role. The 27-year-old quarterback, who was picked second overall in the 2018 NFL Draft by the Jets, has yet to make his mark in the league. However, he has access to talented players like wide receiver Justin Jefferson, who recorded 68 receptions for 1,074 yards and five touchdowns last season, and tight end T.J. Hockenson, who had 95 receptions for 960 yards and five touchdowns. Minnesota’s backfield also gained strength with the signing of Aaron Jones, who joins the team after a notable stint with the Green Bay Packers.
Defensively, the Vikings are under the guidance of Brian Flores, now in his second year as defensive coordinator. Known for his innovative strategies, Flores will look to create pressure despite losing key edge rushers Danielle Hunter and D.J. Wonnum, who had a combined 24.5 sacks last season. New additions like Jonathan Greenard (12.5 sacks) and first-round draft pick Dallas Turner (10.0 sacks at Alabama) aim to fill the void. However, the youth of the linebackers and injury concerns in the secondary raise questions about their overall effectiveness.
In their last preseason game against Cleveland, with Darnold at the helm, the Vikings showcased their potential. Quarterback Nick Mullens completed 11 of 21 passes for 135 yards and one touchdown, while Jaren Hall contributed four completions on five attempts for 87 yards and two touchdowns. The running backs, Kene Nwangwu and Myles Gaskin, each netted 45 yards on seven and nine carries, respectively. Defensively, Minnesota held the Browns to 288 total yards and forced three turnovers.
Eagles’ Defense Shines Against New England
Philadelphia boasts a championship-caliber roster, but questions linger about their ability to secure a Super Bowl victory. Last season, the Eagles captured significant victories early on, winning 10 of their first 11 games, including impressive wins against top teams like the Chiefs and Bills. However, their season faltered with unexpected losses to the Seahawks, Cardinals, and Giants, culminating in a first-round playoff exit against the Buccaneers.
This year, the Eagles are banking on the dynamic duo of Hurts and Barkley to elevate their offense. Barkley, a force on the ground and a reliable receiver, joins a talented receiving corps that includes A.J. Brown (106 receptions for 1,456 yards and seven touchdowns), DeVonta Smith (81 receptions for 1,066 yards and seven touchdowns), and Dallas Goedert (59 receptions for 592 yards and three touchdowns). The Eagles have also taken steps to bolster their defense, adding players like linebacker Devin White and safety Chauncey Gardner-Johnson.
In their previous preseason outings, the Eagles earned narrow victories, needing a late touchdown and two-point conversion to edge past the Patriots in a 14-13 contest. Quarterbacks Tanner McKee and Kenny Pickett played significant roles, with McKee completing 15 of 19 passes for 140 yards. Despite struggles in the ground game, where the Eagles managed just 73 yards on 25 carries, their defense excelled, limiting New England to 159 total yards and forcing two turnovers.
Key Betting Insights for Vikings vs. Eagles
For Saturday’s preseason finale, a straight-up bet on the Vikings appears favorable. Minnesota has shown strong offensive potential, scoring 51 points across wins against Las Vegas and Cleveland in the preseason. With Mullens bringing starting experience and Hall looking solid in relief, the Vikings’ attack seems promising, especially with a solid ground game averaging 6.5 yards per carry against the Raiders and 4.2 yards per carry against the Browns.
In contrast, the Eagles have won their first two preseason games by slim margins. They will need to show resilience against a determined Minnesota defense led by Flores, who is likely to ramp up the pressure on McKee and Will Grier, who may see more action following Pickett’s performance. Depth issues on the Eagles’ offensive line will be a target for Minnesota’s defense in this crucial matchup.
