The Philadelphia Eagles showed their strength and resilience in a convincing 24-7 win over the Minnesota Vikings in the first official Thursday Night Football game of the 2023 NFL season. The Eagles improved to 2-0, while the Vikings dropped to 0-2 in a disappointing start for the NFC contenders.
Eagles Defense Shuts Down Vikings Offense
The Eagles defense was dominant throughout the game, limiting the Vikings offense to just 248 total yards and forcing three turnovers. The Eagles sacked Kirk Cousins four times, intercepted him once, and recovered two fumbles. The Vikings’ only score came in the fourth quarter, when Cousins connected with Justin Jefferson for a 17-yard touchdown.
The Eagles defense also made some big plays on special teams, blocking a field goal attempt and a punt. The blocked punt led to a touchdown by Miles Sanders, who ran for 89 yards and a score on 18 carries. The Eagles also got a safety in the third quarter, when Fletcher Cox tackled Alexander Mattison in the end zone.
Jalen Hurts Leads Balanced Eagles Attack
Jalen Hurts bounced back from a shaky performance in Week 1, throwing for 207 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions. He also ran for 47 yards on seven carries, showing his dual-threat ability. Hurts spread the ball around to eight different receivers, with Dallas Goedert leading the way with six catches for 76 yards and a touchdown.
The Eagles also got contributions from their rookie wideouts, as DeVonta Smith and Jalen Reagor each caught a touchdown pass. Smith finished with four receptions for 55 yards, while Reagor had three catches for 42 yards. The Eagles had a balanced attack, with 207 passing yards and 146 rushing yards.
Vikings Struggle to Find Rhythm and Consistency
The Vikings had a rough night on both sides of the ball, as they failed to establish any rhythm or consistency. The Vikings were plagued by penalties, mistakes, and missed opportunities. They committed nine penalties for 75 yards, lost two fumbles, and missed a field goal. They also failed to convert on fourth down twice, including once at the Eagles’ one-yard line.
The Vikings’ offense was unable to get anything going on the ground, as they ran for just 41 yards on 16 attempts. Mattison, who started in place of the injured Dalvin Cook, had only 19 yards on nine carries. Cousins completed 25 of 38 passes for 244 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. He was under constant pressure from the Eagles’ pass rush and could not find his rhythm.
The Vikings’ defense was equally ineffective, as they allowed the Eagles to score on six of their nine possessions. The Vikings gave up 353 total yards and did not force any turnovers. They also struggled to contain Hurts, who escaped several sacks and extended plays with his legs.
What’s Next for Both Teams?
The Eagles will look to keep their momentum going in Week 3, when they host the New York Giants on Sunday. The Eagles have won six of their last seven games against their division rivals. The Giants are coming off a close loss to the Washington Football Team in Week 2.
The Vikings will try to bounce back from their slow start in Week 3, when they travel to Los Angeles to face the Chargers on Sunday. The Vikings have lost four of their last five games against the Chargers, including a 30-10 defeat in 2019. The Chargers are coming off a thrilling win over the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 2.