Vikings
vs.
Eagles
NFL Pick
10/23/16
Week 7 presents a matchup of two of the top defenses in the NFL. Both Minnesota and Philadelphia rank in the top six of the NFL in terms of yards allowed per Game. They, additionally, each rank in the top Four of the league in points allowed per Game. Minnesota is the NFL’s last undefeated team at 5-0 with a two-Game lead in the NFC North. Philadelphia has stumbled as of late with two consecutive road losses, after starting 3-0. Currently the Vikings are -2.5 with a total of 40.5.
Minnesota has the league’s worst rush offense, so much of the pressure for their success has fallen on the shoulders of Sam Bradford since the Vikings made a trade for him. So far, he’s thrived under that pressure. Bradford still has yet to throw an interception in his first Four Games with the Vikings. So far he has totaled just under 250 yards per Game and six touchdown passes while completing 70.4% of his passes.
Bradford, Stefon Diggs, Adam Thielen and Kyle Rudolph will be challenged by the Eagles’ defense, which ranks 4th in passing yards allowed per Game. Philadelphia has also recorded 14 sacks on the season, ranking 10th in that category.
Things seemed to be coming very easy for the Eagles early this season. They won their first three Games, including a blowout of Pittsburgh in Week 3. since then, they have lost each of their last two Games by a combined eight points.
Carson Wentz has seen a similar trend. He threw for five touchdowns and no interceptions in the team’s first three Game. since then, Wentz has thrown just two touchdowns and one interception in their two losses.
The weapons surrounding Wentz have not necessarily been as productive as you’d hope to have around a rookie quarterback, either. Ryan Mathews is only averaging 41.2 rushing yards per Game. Jordan Matthews has been a good go-to receiver. He has 344 receiving yards and two touchdowns on 22 receptions this year, but Darren Sproles and Nelson Agholor have added only marginal gains as secondary options.
Minnesota ranks in the top six in total defense, passing defense and rushing defense on the season. Plus, the Vikings are third in the league, having created 19 sacks in their five Games. It should prove to be very difficult for Wentz and the Philadelphia offense to move the ball effectively.
Don’t expect the running Games to be part of this Game whatsoever. This will be all about the quarterbacks and how they are able to respond to havoc created by either side’s defense. Four of the five defenses Wentz has faced rank in the bottom half of the league in yards allowed per Game. This will easily be his toughest test yet. I’d say there is a very good chance for the under to be the play in this Game.
Botton line, this is where we find out if Carson Wentz is Superman. We suggest he isn’t and it will show up big time against one of the best defenses in the NFL in 2016. Vikings 20, Eagles 13