This game also features the return of Sam Bradford to Philadelphia.
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The Eagles trade with the Vikings opened the door for Wentz to become the starter. They were prepared to hand Bradford the keys to the offense for the second straight season, planning to sit rookie Carson Wentz for the whole year. Their offense has been hit or miss with a revamped offensive line and trying to find a running game (where are you, Beast Mode?).
But the Vikings are going to try to run the ball against the Eagles.
The competitive environment of the National Football League and plain old human nature usually trigger an extra injection of motivation for players facing their former teams. “It’s a little bit of added sauce on there”. Just keeping you on your toes.
“I was obviously very excited for the opportunity that I was given here in Minnesota”, Bradford said.
But he has more pressing duties than to simply catch up with his old buddies.
Now, Bradford and the Vikings are one win and one turnover-free game away from making National Football League history.
On the flip side, Minnesota’s defense ranks at the top in a number of different passing-related categories this season, including yards per attempt, completion percentage, and yards per game. They have outscored foes 53-6 in the third quarter. “But at the same time, it’s training camp”.
Asked if he would ever step in and tell Schwartz that he needed to blitz more, Pederson said: “If I felt like it was a necessary thing to do”. But honestly, I’m not sure it’s down far enough. “I’m not surprised at all by the way that he’s played this year just because you could see it on the field”.
He will do well to remember Cox. The Vikings allow just 12.6 points per game, least in the NFL.
“They have a lot of athletes, a stable of backs”, linebacker Eric Kendricks (whose brother Mychal plays linebacker for the Eagles). They fly off the ball now. So that’s always a threat. They’re likely salivating at the idea of seeing Vaitai on Sunday. “It’s a good offense”.
The blockbuster trade of the off-season arguably took place when the Eagles shipped quarterback Sam Bradford to Minnesota in exchange for a first round draft pick in 2017 and a fourth round pick in 2018.
EAGLES Week 6 points came on an INT return for a TD by S Malcolm Jenkins, an 86-yard KR for a TD by Wendell Smallwood and a pair of Caleb Sturgis FGs. And I’m going for the throwing arm every time.
“I think the mindset and everyone’s work ethic is definitely part of [the success]”, Kendricks said. “It’ll be a good matchup and I’m glad we’re getting them at home”.
“I think it’s been a win-win for both sides, honestly”, Eagles head coach Doug Pederson said, via Philly.com. “That’s just where we’re at”. If the Eagles drop back to an even record today it will be really tough for them to come back – not impossible – but they would need something special through the second half of the season to claw their way back in a tough division.
“Is he learning every week?” “That’s all part of the learning curve of a young quarterback”.
Penalties have also been a huge problem the last 2 games for EAGLES – 13-114 last week after 14-111 in Week 5. The Vikings will turn up the heat and keep it burning.
No one understands the odd quarterback triangle that comes full circle Sunday at the Linc like veteran Chase Daniel. That’s the main reason the road record has gotten so much better.
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FAMILIAR FACES: Bradford knows the Eagles’ playbook inside and out, but the defense knows his strengths and weaknesses well after facing him in practice for 1½ years. Parking lot, it doesn’t matter.
