Eagles vs. Vikings Preview: Can Philly Stop Justin Jefferson Thursday Night?

The Philadelphia Eagles defense looks to get after Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins in prime time for the second straight season.

In their 2023 season home opener, the Philadelphia Eagles host the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday night at rambunctious Lincoln Financial Field in a featured matchup that oddly mirrors how these two teams met last season.

The Eagles will be hoping the results are similar too.

Neither team wow'd in Week 1. Quarterback Jalen Hurts thanked each member of his defense in the locker room after escaping Gillette Stadium with a 25-20 season-opening victory over the New England Patriots. The Minnesota Vikings' mistakes cost them in a 20-17 loss against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at U.S. Bank Stadium.

The defending NFC champions were held to 251 yards of offense in Week 1. Philadelphia will look to get back in rhythm in Week 2, potentially using the running game as a source of momentum. The Eagles offense led the league in rushing touchdowns per game last season. 

The Eagles defense hopes to get after Minnesota quarterback Kirk Cousins who threw for 344 yards in Week 1. The Vikings face the tough challenge of avoiding an 0-2 start to their season, but luckily they still have superstar receiver Justin Jefferson. He's coming off a season opener against the Tampa Bay Bucs that saw him post nine catches for 150 yards.

"This is the week to bounce back," Jefferson said after losing to Tampa Bay on Sunday. "Just coming off of a loss and now playing a team that just was in the Super Bowl ... we gotta learn from this and then going into next week, a short week at that, ready to play and getting our bodies right."

In each of the Vikings two most recent prime-time visits (2022, 2018) to Lincoln Financial Field, they've only been able to score one touchdown... a trend the Eagles defense would like to continue. 

The Philadelphia defensive side of the ball is much changed from last season, with five new defensive starters and three new coaches, including defensive coordinator Sean Desai.

ROOKIE WATCH: Defensive tackle Jalen Carter made his presence felt in Week 1. He recorded his first career sack in an important late-game defensive stand.

RECORDS: Philadelphia Eagles (1-0) vs. Minnesota Vikings (0-1)

ODDS: Philadelphia is a 7.5-point favorite vs. the Vikings

GAME TIME: Thursday, September 14, 2023 at 8:15 p.m. ET

LOCATION: Lincoln Financial Field - Philadelphia, PA

TV/RADIO: Prime Video, SportsRadio 94WIP

THE FINAL WORD: Cornerback Darius Slay, who snagged a pick-six in the opening Patriots drive:

"Overall we got the win and that's what it's all about. But as a leader on this defense I know we need to go out and execute better cause we're better than that. I have to give props to that team, they came out and made adjustments. We're better than that and we got to go and make a better tape."

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