Philadelphia Eagles (2-0) – Minnesota Vikings (1-1): 24-7
In this duel of NFC contenders, there was only one team on the pitch: the Philadelphia Eagles. Overcoming 300 yards on offense in the first half, Nick Sirianni’s men dominated both sides of the pitch and took the lead by 17 points in the first half. 486 yards against 264, while the Eagles played only half-time, a symbol of the Vikings’ impotence.
That boy No. 1 is pretty good. @Jalen Hurts
📺: #MIN vs PHI 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 yards running, 2 TD) had the best performance of his career in the first half, handing out offers to his receivers throughout the evening. Kirk Cousins (27/46, 221 yards, 1 TD, 3 INT) had a very different night, looking lost in his readings and abandoned by his goals. Dalvin Cook (36 yards) and Justin Jefferson (48 yards) did not impact the game, 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 win, the Eagles are more NFC favorites than ever, while Minnesota continues to alternate good and evil like last season.
The Jalen show hurts
Young quarterback Jalen Hurts had a lot to prove in a game billed as offensive with two of the conference’s best bouts, he responded brilliantly in the first half. Author of 251 yards in the air and 50 in the race, he led his team from the beginning to the end of the 30 minutes.
Aided by Devonta Smith (80 yards) and Dallas Goedert (82 yards), he consistently found solutions on the third attempt, using a Vikings defense that seemed more intent on containing the big game than defending aggressively. When 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 Viking attack is not as effective. Of the first five drives of the first act, only one did not lead to punt and Kirk Cousins took the opportunity to reduce Irv Smith Jr.’s score (14-7). A flash on the night of Kevon O’Connell’s average men’s performance, Cousins not helped by his receivers whose hands release the important balls.
The show in Philly then continues, with in particular a second touchdown in the race by Jalen Hurts (21-7). To top it off, the Eagles managed to score a field goal at halftime from five yards with just one minute and 14 seconds on the clock. Clinical performance (24-7).
Kirk Cousins can’t do that
From the start of the second half, Justin Jefferson and the Vikings advance more easily. Dalvin Cook sounds the riot, but the drive gives nothing after Kirk Cousins offers Darius Slay an easy interception in the end zone, on a bad pass after a media reading. Cruel for Minnesota, which remains firm at 7 points.
As the Eagles return to attack, it is the special teams that are thinking of restarting the game. On a field goal attempt by the Eagles, the Vikings block the attempt and go on the attack. Except … three actions later Kirk Cousins is intercepted by Avante Maddox. Everything has to be redone.
The second half sinks into boredom, the Eagles try to eat the time while Minnesota crumble on the opponent’s cornerbacks. The main event of the fourth quarter was an exchange of interceptions, the first on a drop by Kenneth Gainwell, the second by Darius Slay on a rough pass by Cousins.
The match would go goalless in the second half, with Josh Sweat making his second layoff of the match to prevent the Vikings from saving the honor. The Eagles are the favorites in the NFC East, now it’s obvious with this win.
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