Eagles' Josh Sweat Fuels Win vs. Vikings by Treating Everyone Equally

Philadelphia Eagles star edge rusher Josh Sweat made life miserable for Minnesota Vikings backup left tackle Oli Udoh.

PHILADELPHIA - About 90 minutes prior to kickoff on Thursday night, Kirk Cousins' blindside figured to be one of the more intriguing matchups of the night during the Philadelphia Eagles' home opener against the Minnesota Vikings.

Despite suffering an ankle injury against Tampa Bay in Week 1 and the short week to recuperate, Vikings' third-year left tackle Christian Darrisaw, one of the best in the NFL, was dressed and ready to go in what figured to be a heavyweight matchup.

Darrisaw's opponent was Eagles' right end Josh Sweat, perhaps the most underrated edge rusher in the NFL coming off a road-opener in which he ranked second in the NFL behind Cleveland superstar Myles Garrett in "pass rush get-off time" with his average of 0.59 seconds, according to Next Gen Stats.

In the 90 minutes between the Vikings declaring their inactive and game time Darrisaw tweaked the ankle again and the projected duel turned into a mismatch in the Eagles' favor when overmatched swing tackle Olisaemeka Udoh was inserted and told to deal with Sweat.

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By the end of the night, Sweat produced eight pressures in 31 pass-rushing opportunities, including three hurries, four hits on Kirk Cousins, and a strip-sack of the veteran Minnesota quarterback on the second offensive play after halftime that was recovered by Fletcher Cox and taken to the Vikings 7-yard line.

.@SweatyJ_9 set the tone to start the half 🔥@FastTwitchDrink | #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/GTSnTw3y8U

— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) September 15, 2023

When the Eagles offense cashed in on the turnover, it wasn't game over at 20-7 but it was clearly one of two plays that tilted things dramatically toward Philadelphia, along with a Justin Jefferson unforced error before the half, in what turned out to be a 34-28 win.

“I knew I was going to make a play,” Sweat said. “The ball was coming out fast, but I just had to stick with it.”

The other signature play for Sweat produced disastrous results for Udoh, who was beaten so badly he injured his knee while falling to the turf before being carted off with what Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell revealed was a significant knee injury.

I’m not sure what hurts more on Oli Udoh… his body or his pride… my goodness!!! #Vikings need Christian Darrisaw back asap… pic.twitter.com/N2QKk0UTqt

— Ron Johnson (@3RonJohnson) September 15, 2023

"I don't know what happened," Sweat said. "Like, I knew the move was good but I didn't know he got hurt off of it. ... I don't wish anybody get hurt but I was hyped (about the move before he knew Udoh was injured). I'm like 'did y'all see that?'

"I didn't know it was like that until I saw it."

Part of Sweat's process is that he prepares the same whether it is going to be a Pro Bowl-level talent like Darrisaw or his backups, Udoh and veteran David Quesenberry, who had to come in to finish things.

"Ain't my problem who they put out there," Sweat said. "We gotta keep going. (Udoh) had plenty of help."

Next up is Tampa Bay star Tristan Wirfs, who is making the transition from right tackle to left tackle this season.

“I’ve been winning at a higher rate,” Sweat said. “I don’t care who’s out there. I’ve got to keep going.  ..Whoever is out there, I’m trying to beat you. I respect everybody the same. ... I don't look over (Udoh), I look at him too and gave the same respect as Darrisaw."