Vikings vs Eagles: Expert Picks, Predictions for Monday Night Football
Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images. Pictured: Jalen Hurts.
- We get Vikings vs. Eagles tonight as the second game on Monday Night Football.
- Both teams are looking to improve to 2-0 after strong Week 1 offensive showings.
- Stuckey breaks down the game and makes his betting pick below.
Vikings vs. Eagles Odds
| Vikings Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+2.5 -105 | 49.5 -110o / -110u | +115 |
| Eagles Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-2.5 -115 | 49.5 -110o / -110u | -135 |
Two preseason NFC darlings will square off in the City of Brotherly Love on Monday night.
Both teams took care of business in Week 1 with wins over NFC Central teams. The Minnesota Vikings beat the Green Bay Packers at home, while the Philadelphia Eagles held on for a victory in Detroit against the Lions.
In a game that could ultimately have critical NFC playoff seeding implications, which team will come out on top in the first meeting between these two franchises since 2019?
Let's take a closer look.
Vikings vs. Eagles Matchup Analysis
Toggle the dropdowns below to hide or show how the Vikings and Eagles match up statistically:
Vikings vs. Eagles DVOA Breakdown
 | Offense | Defense |  Edge |
| Overall DVOA | 2 | 21 | |
| Pass DVOA | 7 | 16 | |
| Rush DVOA | 9 | 28 | |
| Offense | Defense | Edge |
| Overall DVOA | 7 | 19 | |
| Pass DVOA | 9 | 6 | |
| Rush DVOA | 6 | 26 | |
This sets up as a pretty good matchup on paper for the Eagles, who have one of the best offensive lines in the NFL. As a result, they can neutralize the Vikings edge rushers — the strength of that defensive unit. Jalen Hurts should have plenty of time to take advantage of some plus-matchups the Eagles have on the outside and at tight end.
Conversely, Philadelphia's defensive line can create problems for Minnesota's offensive line, especially in the interior. One might point to the lack of sacks (one in Week 1) Philadelphia compiled in its opener, but a few advanced metrics (like pass block win rate) suggest the sacks will come from a very strong front. Philly should generate pressure against a vulnerable Vikings interior, making life difficult for Cousins on key passing downs.
Additionally, defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon runs a ton of zone, which could work in his favor here. Throughout his career, Cousins has been much more mistake prone and less efficient against zone schemes. (He also hasn't been great in primetime (11-16 ATS), but I don't much too stock into that — he covered and won in each of Minnesota's final two primetime games last season.)
Cousins and that very talented offense will undoubtedly still make plays, but I think the Eagles will get a few more stops in this one.
Vikings-Eagles Betting Picks
I’m high on the Vikings this season, primarily as a result of what I consider a massive coaching upgrade that should lead to a more efficient offense with a very talented group of skill position players. However, I think the Vikings are getting a little bit too much love for their win over the Packers.
Remember, last season the Packers were also a mess in Week 1 when they went down to Jacksonville for a neutral site game against the New Orleans Saints and lost 38-0 in one of the worst games in Aaron Rodgers’ career. The very next week the Saints — a team I thought was overvalued — were blown out in Carolina, while the Packers routed Detroit.
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Don’t overreact to Week 1 results. Green Bay did not have anything close to a full strength offensive line and the Vikings took full advantage, sacking Rodgers four times in the opener. Pressure won’t come as easy this week.
The Packers are also trying to adjust to the loss of Devante Adams by relying on a number of rookies, one of whom dropped a sure fire 80 yard TD early in the game. Packers safety Adrian Amos also made two uncharacteristic mistakes that directly led to a pair of Justin Jefferson touchdowns. That game could’ve easily been a lot closer.
Conversely, the Eagles only won by a field goal, failing to cover against the Lions. However, Philly led comfortably by 17 in the fourth quarter and thoroughly dominated that game outside of a slow start and loose finish with a big lead.
I think those results have driven some of the perception here, which is why this line didn't open up at Philadelphia -3 or even -3.5. I see value in Philadelphia at anything under a field goal in what I think is a pretty good matchup for them on both sides of the ball.
FanDuel Quickslip: Eagles -2.5 | Bet to -2.5
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