Vikings-Eagles TNF Predictions: Can Minnesota Get Revenge in Primetime?

The Vikings are looking to avoid a second consecutive road loss to the Eagles in primetime.

Last season, the Vikings went to Philadelphia in Week 2 for a primetime game and got thoroughly outplayed by the eventual NFC champions in a 24-7 loss.

This year, the schedule-makers gave them a chance at revenge. For the second consecutive year, the Vikings are headed to Philly to take on the Eagles in a road primetime matchup in their second game of the season. The main difference is that this year's game is on Thursday night, whereas last year's was on Monday night. The Vikings are motivated to bounce back on a short week, both from Sunday's frustrating loss to the Buccaneers and from last year's poor showing at Lincoln Financial Field.

It's going to take a very strong performance in all three phases for the Vikings to pull off the upset as touchdown underdogs. Even with the Eagles a little banged up coming off an underwhelming Week 1 win against the Patriots, they still boast one of the most talented, well-rounded rosters in the NFL. The Vikings will need to find ways to protect Kirk Cousins and take care of the football if they're going to have a shot in this one.

Is anyone bold enough to predict the upset? Let's start with my prediction and then dive into some picks from national analysts.

Will's pick: Eagles 31, Vikings 20

2023 record: 0-1

Part of me thinks it would be extremely on-brand for the Vikings to lose a game they were expected to win and then turn around and surprise the world by winning a game they're expected to lose. The Eagles being at less than full strength, with a couple injuries in the secondary, is a reason for hope if you're a Minnesota fan. 

But I can't bring myself to predict a Vikings victory — or even another one-score loss. Why? The Eagles' defensive line against the Vikings' interior offensive line feels like the kind of extreme mismatch that is almost impossible to overcome. Cousins will likely be facing significant pressure up the middle all game long. On the other side of the ball, Jalen Hurts could be in line for a big night against Brian Flores' defense.

National predictions

Pete Prisco, CBS Sports: Eagles 30, Vikings 16

The Eagles didn't look good in beating the Patriots last week, which will change here. They are back home and have a game to get the rust off. The Vikings lost to the Bucs at home in a game where they moved the ball, but just turned it over too much. This is a prime-time game, which isn't good for Kirk Cousins. Eagles big.

John Breech, CBS Sports: Eagles 27, Vikings 17

If the Vikings were smart, they would have asked the NFL not to schedule them for any prime-time games this year and that's because their quarterback can't win in prime time. When it comes to late games, Cousins isn't as bad as Daniel Jones, but he does always seem to melt down under the spotlight. Cousins has a 12-20 career prime-time record, and this week, he has to go up against an opponent who never loses: Jalen Hurts. If the Vikings couldn't stop Baker Mayfield in Week 1, I'm not sure how they're going to stop Hurts, who is 18-1 in his last 19 regular-season starts.

Bill Bender, Sporting News: Eagles 27, Vikings 20

The Eagles routed Minnesota 24-7 on Monday Night Football last season, and the Vikings are in danger of a 0-2 start. Kirk Cousins' prime-time record is always a discussion topic, but he's 4-5 on Thursday Night Football. The problem for the Vikings will be generating a running game on the road. Philadelphia wins, but it's closer on a short week. 

Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News: Eagles 27, Vikings 17

Kirk Cousins and the Vikings did this in Week 2 of last season in Philadelphia and it was a 24-7 domination as the Eagles were well on their way to rolling to the NFC championship. Cousins' prime-time woes are well known and he played messy in the opener. So did the Eagles with Jalen Hurts, but they are better positioned to correct things offensively with their talent vs. a much weaker defense than their own.

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