Philadelphia Eagles (2-0) – Minnesota Vikings (1-1): 24-7
In this duel of contenders in the NFC, there was only one team on the field: the Philadelphia Eagles. Exceeding 300 yards in attack in the first half, Nick Sirianni’s men dominated both sides of the field to take a 17-point lead in the first half. 486 yards against 264, while the Eagles only played half time, symbol of the helplessness of the Vikings.
That #1 guy is pretty good. @JalenHurts
📺: #MINvsPHI on ABC
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/DYp0tOlKGX pic.twitter.com/Bgo4JdOFTl— NFL (@NFL) September 20, 2022
Jalen Hurts (26/31, 333 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, 57 rushing yards, 2 TD) had the best performance of his career in the first half, distributing offerings to his receivers throughout the evening . Kirk Cousins (27/46, 221 yards, 1 TD, 3 INT) had a very different evening, seeming lost in his readings and abandoned by his targets. Dalvin Cook (36 yards) and Justin Jefferson (48 yards) did not impact the match, a performance contrary to that of week 1. Darius Slay is the hero of the evening with 2 interceptions and 4 passes defended mainly against Jefferson.
With this victory, the Eagles are more than ever favorites in the NFC, while Minnesota continues to alternate the good and the bad like last season.
The Jalen Hurts Show
Young quarterback Jalen Hurts had a lot to prove in a game billed as offensive with two of the best offenses in the conference, he responded brilliantly in the first half. Author of 251 yards in the air and 50 in the race, he carried his team from the beginning to the end of the 30 minutes.
Helped by Devonta Smith (80 yards) and Dallas Goedert (82 yards), he constantly found the solutions on the third attempt, taking advantage of a Vikings defense that seemed more intent on containing the big game than defending aggressively. As the former Oklahoma quarterback opened the scoring on the run, he quickly doubled the lead with a long-range touchdown for Quez Watkins (14-0).
The Vikings’ attack is not nearly as effective. Of the first five drives of the first act, only one did not lead to a punt, and Kirk Cousins took the opportunity to reduce the score by Irv Smith Jr. (14-7). A flash in the night of an average performance from Kevon O’Connell’s men, Cousins not being helped by his receivers whose hands release the important balls.
The Philly show then continues, with in particular a second touchdown in the race from Jalen Hurts (21-7). The icing on the cake, the Eagles managed a field goal late in the half starting from five yards with only one minute and 14 seconds on the clock. Clinical performance (24-7).
Kirk Cousins can’t do it
From the start of the second half, Justin Jefferson and the Vikings advanced more easily. Dalvin Cook sounds the revolt, but the drive gives nothing after Kirk Cousins offers Darius Slay an easy interception in the end zone, on a badly launched pass after an average reading. Cruel for Minnesota, which remains stuck at 7 points.
While the Eagles go back on offense, it is the special teams who are thinking of restarting the game. On an attempted field goal from the Eagles, the Vikings block the attempt and go on the attack. Except that… three actions later Kirk Cousins is intercepted by Avante Maddox. Everything has to be done again.
The second half sinks into boredom, the Eagles looking to eat the clock as Minnesota crumbles on opposing cornerbacks. The main event of the fourth quarter was an interception exchange, the first on a drop from Kenneth Gainwell, the second by Darius Slay following an approximate pass from Cousins.
The game would end scoreless in the second half, with Josh Sweat making his second sack of the game to prevent the Vikings from salvaging the honor. The Eagles are favorites in the NFC East, it is now obvious with this victory.
