Pat Mulranen

A lot happened in Week 1. Joe Burrow and the high-powered Cincinnati Bengals played a horrible game Sunday. Burrow threw for just 82 yards, and the Cleveland Browns defense just shut down the Bengals. Josh Allen, another elite quarterback in the league, threw three interceptions to go with a fumble. The Los Angeles Rams, who were coming off a bad season and were without their top offensive player, beat the Seattle Seahawks in what many described as an upset, like Sports Illustrated, as the Rams were 5.5-point underdogs.

Do you get where this is going?

Teams sometimes play a little bit rusty in the first game. Last year, the Eagles played the Lions close in Week 1. That was not a great performance (like the game Sunday), but the Eagles got better and eventually became the best team in the NFL. I’m not making excuses, but these are facts. Will Allen and Burrow keep having those types of games going forward? Highly unlikely. 

The Eagles should play a lot better on offense. Jalen Hurts did not play in the preseason, so that could be a reason for his sluggish start. He did not read the field well and missed open receivers, like Dallas Goedert. I can almost guarantee that won’t happen again. Goedert has to be more involved, and both Hurts and coach Nick Sirianni understand that. 

Hopefully D’Andre Swift will have more than just one rushing attempt and two targets. Sirianni said he wants Swift more involved, so expect to see more of him, especially since Kenny Gainwell is ruled out for Thursday. And it was great to see Gainwell used so much Sunday, but I expected to see more of a shared load between Swift, Boston Scott and Gainwell.The problem is the Eagles will be without safety Reed Blankenship, linebacker Nakobe Dean (who went on the injury reserve list) and cornerback James Bradberry. Defensive tackle Fletcher Cox is listed as questionable. Josh Jobe is expected to take over for Bradberry, Sydney Brown for Blankenship. With Dean on the IR, Nicholas Morrow and Zach Cunningham will have to lead the way at LB for the next four games. 

The Eagles defense will be very weak Thursday. The Vikings will be a very desperate team after losing to the Buccaneers. The Vikings do have a strong offense, and Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison may just have big games. I know all about Kirk Cousins and his history in primetime games , but with the Eagles thin on defense, especially in the backfield, I expect this game to be a close, shoot out. Being at home, the Eagles should win the battle. Eagles 38, Vikings 36

Sean Selby

Like many teams in week 1, the cobwebs were all over the Eagles in their win in Foxboro. Even though they escaped victorious, the offense looked a bit sluggish and out of rhythm a bit. There are a few factors that can contribute to that, starting with the lack of game time action during the preseason as well as a new coordinator. With the Vikings coming to town, they bode a less daunting task on the defensive side of the ball than the team they just faced up in New England. I expect a bit of return to form from Jalen Hurts and company.

That’s not what I’m worried about.

Although the defense came up with a huge pick six and stops in key spots last week to help secure the win, they enter this matchup pretty banged up. Starting middle linebacker Nakobe Dean and safety Reed Blankenship have both been ruled out. This is not ideal going up against the likes of Justin Jefferson and newcomer Jordan Addison who may look to carve the injured Eagles up.

It is a home opener under the lights, and we know the struggles Kirk Cousins has in primetime, but something just doesn’t feel right about this one. The Eagles are a better team than Minnesota by a long stretch, but in this one they just have a rough night overcoming some key losses on defense. Vikings 28, Eagles 24

Ryan Shead

The Home Opener! After winning a sloppy hard fought game in New England, the Eagles come home to face the Vikings at the Linc for the home opener.

 The Eagles will be without 4starters, Gainwell, Blankenship, Dean and Bradberry. They so deep at RB, I don’t think Gainwell being out will be much of a factor. Dean and Blankenship however I think will be a factor, the 2 positions with the biggest question marks for this team. The Vikings can run the ball and Justin Jefferson is best WR in football, that’s a tall task.

 The Vikings will be without starting center Garrett Bradbury, that should play in to where I think this game will be won.

The Eagles pass rush wasn’t what we expected last week, (the Patriots o line has  4 350+lb guys ) that changes this week. I think the Eagles D line gets after it this week and takes over. Back and forth early, Eagles pass rush takes over and secures the win. Eagles 34, Vikings 27