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5 wild predictions: Minnesota Vikings vs. Philadelphia Eagles

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 2:37 p.m. ET

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After a week off, the Minnesota Vikings are hitting the road to take on the Philadelphia Eagles. Here are five WILD predictions for the big NFC matchup.

Oct 9, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Bradford (8) waves to teh stands after defeating the Houston Texans 31-13 at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

After a high-flying 3-0 start to the season the Philadelphia Eagles have come back to earth recently, dropping their last two games to the Lions and Redskins on the road. Now back at home, the Eagles will be looking to rebound against a hot Minnesota Vikings team.

After a Week 6 bye week, however, the Vikings have the benefit of an extra week of preparation, which you can be sure head coach Mike Zimmer used to full effect. However, after the momentum of the first five weeks of the season, it could take a while for the Vikings to get back into the swing of things.

The Eagles are one of the most talented teams that the Vikings will have faced so far, so anything could happen.

Here are five predictions for the Vikings’ week 7 game against the Eagles.

Sep 18, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings defensive end Danielle Hunter (99) celebrates his sack of the Green Bay Packers quarterback and a forced fumble in the first quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

Danielle Hunter gets 2.5 sacks

Since the Vikings’ somewhat unpopular selection of Hunter in the third round of last years draft, the young, athletic defensive end has more than justified the pick. After recording just 4.5 sacks throughout his entire collegiate career, Hunter proved himself as a pass rusher by finishing second among rookies with six sacks as a rotational pass rusher.

Now in his second season, Hunter already has four sacks in five games. Although he still isn’t a full-time starter on the defense, he has emerged as a key piece for Mike Zimmer to move around and create mismatches with.

With rookie Halapoulivaati Vaitai forced to start at right tackle for the Eagles in place of the suspended Lane Johnson, who has emerged as one of the premier lineman in the league, Zimmer should have plenty of opportunities to call upon Hunter.

Vaitai had a miserable week in a loss against the Redskins last week, surrendering 2.5 sacks.

“I just felt sorry for him,” former NFL offensive lineman and ESPN analyst Mark Schlereth said to 97.5 The Fanatic in Philadelphia after the fifth-round pick’s debut. “You are so overmatched right now. I feel so bad for you right now because you don’t have any chance of blocking anybody.”

Danielle Hunter isn’t just anybody. One of the best pure athletes at the position in the NFL, Hunter will give Vaitai fits all afternoon as Zimmer finds creative ways to create mismatches with the young defensive end.

Oct 16, 2016; Landover, MD, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz (11) throws the ball against the Washington Redskins in the third quarter at FedEx Field. The Redskins won 27-20. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Carson Wentz throws for passer rating under 50

For a rookie, Carson Wentz has had an astoundingly successful start to his career, throwing for a 65% completion percentage, 1,186 yards, 7 touchdowns, and only 1 interception through five games. Wentz has been both explosive and efficient, throwing for a passer rating of 99.9, which ranks 7th among quarterbacks with at least 100 attempts this year.

However, Wentz has never faced a defense as talented and well-coached as the Minnesota Vikings in his young career. The Vikings have stars at every level of the defense, and head coach Mike Zimmer thrives at creating confusion among quarterbacks with complex defensive fronts.

The Vikings have excelled at keeping opposing quarterbacks in check this year. Despite facing some of the best quarterbacks in the NFL early in the season, the Vikings have been absolutely dominant on defense, and are only improving.

After making Cam Newton and Aaron Rodgers look average at best, Carson Wentz is a comparatively easy assignment for the NFL’s best defense.

This week will be a welcome-to-the-NFL moment for Carson Wentz, as the Vikings defense will continue their upward trend and hold him to a passer rating under 50.

Oct 9, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Jerick McKinnon (21) catches a pass against the Houston Texans in the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

Jerick McKinnon rushes for 100+ yards

Going into the season, many would have called you crazy if you said that the running game would be what’s holding the Vikings back, but here we are. Through five games, the Vikings’ leading rusher in each game has averaged only 47 yards.

All-Pro running back Adrian Peterson struggled mightily early in the season, and after he tore his meniscus in Week 2 neither Jerick McKinnon nor Matt Asiata have been much better. McKinnon has shown promise, with a dynamic skill-set of speed, agility, and vision, but the offensive line has simply been unable to open up any holes for him.

However, after a bye week to reassess the state of the offensive line, first-year offensive line coach Tony Sparano should get the unit to perform better. The line has been faced with a rash of injuries to start the year, but the unit should finally be able to benefit from a little stability after another week of practicing together.

With the offensive line opening up lanes for Jerick McKinnon, he should finally be able to eclipse 100 yards against the Eagles’ 18th ranked run defense.

The running game has been the one thing holding the Vikings back from being a complete and balanced team this year, but this will be the week that they get on track, led by improved blocking and the dynamic running of McKinnon.

Oct 9, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen (19) celebrates his touchdown against the Houston Texans in the first quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

Adam Thielen gets second straight 100-yard game

With Stefon Diggs out with an injury two weeks ago against the Texans, Adam Thielen stepped up and recorded the first ever 100-yard receiving game, with a career-high 127 yards and a touchdown.

This week, Diggs is listed as questionable against the Eagles, but many close to the organization believe he’ll be good to go.

Even with Diggs likely returning to the lineup, however, Thielen is going to play a major role in the offense. Thielen has proven himself to be without a doubt the second best receiver on the team, excelling at all levels of the field in all situations.

With Diggs likely to draw the most defensive attention if he plays, Thielen will be able to capitalize on single coverage and make big plays.

Last week was the first hundred-yard receiving game of Thielen’s career, and this week should be the second as he continues his to establish himself as a quality starting receiver.

Oct 9, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings defensive end Danielle Hunter (99) celebrates with defensive end Everson Griffen (97) and defensive tackle Tom Johnson (92) during the fourth quarter against the Houston Texans at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Vikings defeated the Texans 31-13. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

Vikings win, 27-16

The Vikings will ultimately prove too tough a test for the Eagles, getting comfortably ahead before allowing the Eagles to score a few garbage-time points in the fourth quarter.

Mike Zimmer and company will simply be too much for rookie Carson Wentz and the Eagles’ offense to handle, confusing the young quarterback with unique defensive looks and simply overwhelming the rest of the team with athleticism.

Meanwhile, Sam Bradford will continue to do enough to get the Vikings the win, playing efficient football and moving the ball down the field. Combined with a relatively productive running game, this will be the Vikings’ most balanced offensive performance of the year.

The Vikings will continue their winning ways against a very solid Eagles team, moving to 6-0 and maintaining their hold on the division and looking forward to going to Chicago to take on a struggling Bears squad.

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