The Minnesota Vikings will be looking to bounce back from their season-opening loss as they take on the Philadelphia Eagles in this week’s Thursday Night Football matchup. The Vikings suffered a 20-17 defeat against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and will be eager to secure their first win of the season. Meanwhile, the Eagles are aiming to remain undefeated after a 25-20 victory against the New England Patriots in Week 1.
Both teams will be determined to improve on their performances from the previous week. The game will take place at Lincoln Financial Field and will be streamed on Amazon Prime and FUBO. International fans can also follow the action on the NFL’s Game Pass on DAZN.
The Eagles entered the season with high expectations after reaching Super Bowl LVII last year. Led by quarterback Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia put up a strong fight against the Kansas City Chiefs in the championship game. However, in their Week 1 win against the Patriots, the Eagles struggled to find their rhythm on offense. Despite a strong start with two early touchdowns, their attacking impetus fizzled out as they relied on their kicker for the majority of their points.
The Vikings, on the other hand, are hoping to turn their fortunes around after their loss to the Buccaneers. Quarterback Kirk Cousins had a solid performance with 344 yards and two touchdowns, but an interception proved costly for the team. Minnesota missed several opportunities to assert their dominance and will be looking to rectify those mistakes against the Eagles.
A key matchup to watch will be between Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson and Eagles cornerback Darius Slay. Jefferson had a strong start to the season with seven receptions for 138 yards in the first half against the Bucs, but was kept quiet in the second half. Slay, known for his defensive prowess, was instrumental in limiting Jefferson’s impact in their previous matchup.
The Eagles’ offense had some teething problems against the Patriots, with the team struggling to find their rhythm at times. Head coach Nick Siriani acknowledged that he could have utilized the preseason more effectively to involve more of the starting unit. Quarterback Jalen Hurts expressed frustration with the team’s inefficiency and emphasized the importance of winning.
Both teams will be looking to make adjustments and showcase their best performances on Thursday night. The Eagles will be hoping their offense can take flight and secure a victory, while the Vikings aim to pillage Philadelphia and leave with a much-needed win.