Run Defense, More Turnover Woes Haunt Vikings in Thursday Night Loss vs. Eagles
When you boil it down, Week 2 looked like a lot like Week 1 for the Minnesota Vikings.
They couldn't run the ball. They struggled to keep Kirk Cousins clean. And once again, they lost the turnover battle by three, committing all kinds of self-inflicted wounds to outweigh any positive things that may have happened. Instead of bouncing back with an upset victory on Thursday night, the Vikings lost four fumbles in the first 31 minutes of game time as they fell 34-28 to the Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field.
That's seven turnovers in five days for the Vikings, who had three killer giveaways in Sunday's loss against the Buccaneers at U.S. Bank Stadium. The turnovers (and a few poorly-timed penalties) against Tampa Bay ruined what was an otherwise strong performance on both sides of the ball.
It was the same story in this game against the defending NFC champions. Outside of one early deep ball, the Vikings' defense played a fantastic first quarter against Jalen Hurts and company. After getting off to a slow start, the offense put together a couple nice drives in the second quarter. But because they couldn't hold onto the football, they went into halftime trailing 13-7.
First it was a Brandon Powell fumble in Eagles territory after a nice punt return that would've set the Vikings up with good field position. Then, one play after a Theo Jackson interception — the first takeaway of the season for Brian Flores' defense — Alexander Mattison put the ball on the ground. The Vikings' third turnover of the half was the most significant one, as Justin Jefferson was burned by the NFL's touchback rule while trying to extend the ball beyond the goal line in the final minute of the half.
What could've been a 14-10 lead was negated because Jefferson lost the ball and it bounced out of the side of the end zone for a touchback. On the second play of the second half, Josh Sweat beat Oli Udoh for a strip-sack — the Vikings' fourth lost fumble of the game — and the Eagles quickly scored to take a 13-point lead. Two minutes later, following a three-and-out, Hurts hit Devonta Smith on another deep ball, this one going for a 63-yard touchdown to make it 27-7.
The Vikings put up a fight after that, but they weren't able to mount an improbable comeback. Three second-half touchdown passes from Cousins — including a 62-yarder to rookie Jordan Addison, his second TD in as many NFL games — got the Vikings within six multiple times in the fourth quarter.
Ultimately, it was too little and too late. The Eagles controlled the second half just enough by running the football all over the Vikings with D'Andre Swift, who finished with 175 rushing yards on 28 carries. The killer was a 43-yard breakaway run late in the fourth quarter that set up Philadelphia's final touchdown.
Cousins finished with an incredible stat line: 31 of 44 for 364 yards and four touchdowns without an interception. Justin Jefferson had his second consecutive 150-yard performance to open the 2023 season. T.J. Hockenson caught two of Cousins' four touchdown passes. It was a genuinely impressive showing from the Vikings' passing game. Unfortunately, for the second time in five days, it was all for naught because of turnovers.
The Vikings fall to 0-2 with two one-score losses this season. They'll look to play with some desperation and get in the win column on Sunday the 24th against Justin Herbert and the Chargers.
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