Eagles-Vikings matchups to watch in Week 7
Eagles-Vikings matchups to watch in Week 7 originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
The Eagles (4-2) are going to Minnesota to face the Vikings (3-2) on Sunday afternoon at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Here are some key matchups to watch:
Eagles corners vs. Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison
The Eagles' second cornerback position has been an issue all season. They began the season with Adoree' Jackson and then went to Kelee Ringo and now it's looking like they're back on Jackson. In fact, during the Giants game, the Eagles benched Ringo and put Jackson on the field but when Quinyon Mitchell hurt his hamstring they were both out there. It's unclear if Mitchell will be able to play this week - he has been limited in practice - which sets up a dicey situation against two very good receivers in Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison.
This is a pretty clear mismatch. While Jefferson still gets some reps inside, he's mostly an outside receiver and it's a bit scary to think about what he might be able to do against Jackson and/or Ringo on Sunday. Through six weeks, Jefferson is seventh in the NFL in receiving with 449 yards on 42 catches after playing just five games. Jefferson, 26, is a four-time Pro Bowler in his first five NFL seasons and since he entered the NFL has more receiving yards than any player in the league. Addison is no slouch either and in his first two games back from suspension has 9 catches for 155 yards and a touchdown.
Vic Fangio vs. Carson Wentz?
It's a little unclear who the Vikings' starting quarterback is going to be on Sunday but it's looking like it will be Carson Wentz. They entered the season with 2024 first-round pick J.J. McCarthy as their starter but he has missed the last three games with an ankle injury. In the interim, our old friend Wentz has started three games. He suffered a shoulder injury before the bye but is good to go.
Here's a look at their numbers this season:
McCarthy: (1-1), 58.5%, 301 yards, 2 TDs, 3 INTs
Wentz: (2-1), 69%, 759 yards, 5 TDs, 2 INT
They are similar," Eagles DC Vic Fangio said. They're both athletic. They both do a good job running this offense. This is a good offense we're going against. It's a good scheme. It's packaged well together. They do a good job of calling plays. It's a tough offense."
The Vikings drafted McCarthy with the No. 10 overall pick out of Michigan last year but he missed his entire rookie season with a knee injury. He has obviously never faced the Eagles.
Wentz, who began his career with the Eagles in 2016 after being selected No. 2 overall, has played against his former team just once. In 2022, Wentz and the Commanders lost 24-8 to the Eagles at FedEx Field. In that game, Wentz was sacked a career-high nine times. Brandon Graham led the way with 2 1/2 sacks and 5 QB hits. And Wentz is still Wentz; his pocket management isn't always great and there should be opportunities for turnovers.
Eagles DL vs. Vikings hobbled OL
The Vikings are coming back from an early bye week, but in their first five games their offensive line was in a state of flux because of injuries. In their Week 5 win over the Browns, the Vikings played their third option at center in Blake Brandel, who played well. Starter Ryan Kelly is on IR with a concussion so he won't be back for this game and we'll see if backup Michael Jurgens will be able to return from his hamstring (he was a full participant to start the week). But Brandel played well enough that even if Jurgens is healthy, they might stick with him. If not, both teams will have a guy named Jurgens at center in this game. That means absolutely nothing but it's fun.
While starting left tackle Christian Darrisaw missed the first couple weeks of the season coming back from a knee injury, he has started the last three and has played well. In those three games, he has given up five pressures and no sacks. The other injuries on the Vikings' offensive line to monitor are to right tackle Brian O'Neill (knee) and left guard Donovan Jackson (wrist). Both are back at practice this week and could return; they were limited to start the week.
With all the injuries the Vikings have had up front this season, their bye week came at a good time and they should be a little healthier in this game. But with all those moving parts, there's a chance that unit won't be playing as well together as you might expect. The defensive line is no longer the Eagles' biggest strength on defense but they still have good players up front and have the potential to make some plays in this one.
Saquon Barkley vs. shaky run defense
Over the last two games, Saquon Barkley has a total of 18 rushing attempts and 23 touches. Forget situations and the use of RPOs - that isn't enough work for the reigning NFL Offensive Player of the Year. Of course, it has been tough sledding for Barkley in 2025. Through six games, he has just 95 carries for 325 yards (3.4) and 3 touchdowns. All those big holes he got to run through in 2024 have dried up and those explosive runs aren't there. The Eagles define explosive runs of 10+ yards. Barkley has just 11 in 6 games (1.8 per game) this season after 46 in 2024 (2.9) in 16 games.
After leading NFL running backs in yards before contact last season (3.8 per attempt), Barkley ranks 28th among qualified running backs in 2025 at just 1.9 YBC per attempt.
The Vikings this season have been leaky against the run. They rank 24th in run defense (132.2 yards per game) and 22nd in yards per attempt (4.5). In Week 2, the Vikings were gashed by the Falcons when Bijan Robinson had 143 yards on 22 attempts.
Eagles OTS vs. Jonathan Greenard
There are a few familiar faces on that Vikings defensive line with former Eagle Javon Hargrave and former Commander Jonathan Allen in the middle, although their best interior lineman has been Jalen Redmond, who has 3 sacks in 5 games. But their best pass rusher up front has been veteran Jonathan Greenard, who has just 1 sack through 5 games but has been very disruptive. He leads the Vikings with 15 pressures and his pressure rate of 15.7% is among the league leaders. The Eagles might not have to worry about Andrew Van Ginkel on Sunday as the Pro Bowler is still working his way back from a neck injury, but did return to practice this week.
The Eagles' OL hasn't been as good in 2025 and that has been a major problem in both phases of the offense. Health has played a role in that and we'll have to see if Landon Dickerson (ankle) will be back on the field for this one.
Jalen Hurts vs. Vikings defense
Overall, this is a good Vikings defense under coordinator Brian Flores. They rank 5th in points allowed and 6th in yards allowed and have been especially tough against the pass, rankings 2nd in the NFL. The one thing with know about a Flores defense is that it won't be afraid to blitz.
In fact, the Vikings have the second-highest blitz rate in the NFL this season at 35.8% - that's higher than the Broncos, Buccaneers and Chiefs (the other teams the Eagles have seen in the top 10). In recent weeks, we've seen some of those blitz-heavy teams back off in the second half against the Eagles and begin to rush four and play zone coverage behind it, while also sending some simulated pressures their way. That could be the best way to attack the Eagles right now and Flores has those sim pressures in his bag.
One of their star players has been former Eagles cornerback Isaiah Rodgers, who has one of their two interceptions and scored a pair of return touchdowns in their 48-10 win over the Bengals in September. This is a game that Rodgers will be excited about.
The Vikings have also been very good in the red zone, allowing just 8 touchdowns on 16 opponent drives inside the 20-yard line. They have the fourth-best red zone defense in the NFL. That's the area where the Eagles' offense has excelled this season. The Eagles have the NFL's best red zone offense, having scored touchdowns on 14 of 16 trips. The one thing that has been very good offensively this season has been their red zone success and creativity in that tight area.