GAMEDAY: Live blog/updates for Eagles-Vikings
INACTIVES: AN ANALYSIS
The Eagles will have three quarterbacks active for today’s game against the Minnesota Vikings, which is the same number of running backs they will bring into an important NFC matchup for both teams.
Those running backs are Jordan Howard, Miles Sanders and Boston Scott, who was just promoted from the practice squad on Friday when the team put Corey Clement on Injured Reserve. Darren Sproles is also inactive as he continues to rehab a quad injury suffered in last week’s win over the New York Jets.
The Eagles, of, course, hope they won’t need to use either of their two backup quarterbacks, Nate Sudfeld or Josh McCown, because that would likely mean starter Carson Wentz was injured.
An area of concern entering the game is that the Eagles have only two active tight ends. Zach Ertz and Dallas Goedert are the only two on the 53-man roster, but the Eagles utilize plenty of 12 personnel packages, which are two-tight end sets.
Head coach Doug Pederson addressed the use of just two tight ends on Friday.
“Well, we count Big V (tackle Halapoulivaati Vaitai) as a third tight end in certain situations,” said Pederson. “Obviously probably not going to throw him the ball much. We look at it. We make sure both our guys are healthy going into the game and they feel good. We try to give them as much rest as we can.
“Listen, it is what it is right now where we're at. If it was Christmas every day, we would have a third tight end, but we have to make it work with what we have.”
In addition to Sproles, other inactives for the Eagles are DeSean Jackson, who will miss his fourth straight game with an abdomen injury, cornerbacks Ronald Darby, who will miss his third consecutive game with a hamstring injury, and Avonte Maddox, who is out for a second straight game after suffering a concussion and neck injury against the Packer in Week 4, defensive end Shareef Miller, offensive lineman Nate Herbig and defensive tackle Timmy Jernigan, who hasn’t played since Week 2 after injuring his foot.
SOMETHING TO WATCH IN JACKSONVILLE
FIRST QUARTER
Eagles win toss and defer.
Dalvin Cook's first run of day goes for 6 yards and a first down
13:50: Vikings right tackle Riley Reiff lmps off. Could be a key injury.
8:36 Vikings inside Eagles 10 looked to be stopped on third and two but Mike Zimmer challenges spot, which was about a yard short. Already been a long drive by Vikings, who have run 11 plays since taking opening kickoff.
Riley Reiff returns on this drive
7:43 VIKINGS TD Sidney Jones has to do a better job on that TD throw to Thielen. He took a bad angle when Thielen ran an out before turning it up field. 13 plays, 75 yard drive that took 7 minutes 17 seconds
EAGLES: Jordan Howard makes his first start of season
Eagles go three and out. Bad development after defense was just on field for over 7 minutes to start game
1:54: VIKINGS FG 39 yards, lead 10-0. Eagles fortunate it's not 14-0. Thielen was close to making his second TD catch. Jenkins good job defending to force out before Thielen could get both feet in bounds.
SECOND QUARTER
Vikings had ball for 10:52 in first quarter; Eagles just 2:13
12:30: Jason Peters limps off. Rookie Andre Dillard in and nearly gives up sack on first play, but Wentz escaped and threw to Jeffery to keep drive alive.
12:10 EAGLES: Elliott 53 yard field goal. It's 10-3 Vikings.
11:39: Stefon Diggs just runs right past Rasul Douglas for 62 yard touchdown and it's 17-3 Vikings lead
Jason Peters is back at LT to start this Eagles drive
9:43: Eagles go for fourth and two at Minnesota 49 and don't convert as throw sails high to Jeffery
9:31: Vikings just embarrassing this Eagles secondary now. Fist play after turning ball over on downs, Eagles give up 51 yards TD to Diggs and it's 24-3 Minnesota
Jason Peters checks out again. Dillard back in.
7:02: Miles Sanders first TD of career. this one on 32 yard catch. It's 24-10 Vikings now.
In addition to that being the first TD of Miles Sanders career, that is also his fourth straight game with a catch of 30-plus yards and he now has four catches of 30-plus yards this season already
4:45 Brandon Graham forces first Vikings punt with sack. It is the fourth sack in two games for Graham.
1:02: Eight years Andrew Sendejo spent in Minnesota. Now he notches big pick late in half. That is 7th INT of season for Eagles defense
EAGLES appear to be lining up for 39 yard field goal in final seconds, but it's a fake. Jake Elliott throws an interception and Eagles come away without any points at end of half.
HALFTIME
Eagles D held Dalvin Cook to just 26 yards on 10 carries, for 2.6 yards per cary. He was NFL's second leading rusher coming into game with league-high 5.9 yards per carry. It's the secondary that killed Eagles and that is predictable given talent level back there.
THIRD QUARTER
12:11: Eagles cut deficit to 24-17 as Carson Wentz throws second TD pass of game and 12th of season. He now has 12 TDs to 1 INTs. Target was Alshon Jeffery, who now has 4 TDs this year - 3 receiving, one rushing.
For the record, I would have taken the points and kicked field goal at end of half, but Doug Pederson won't ever back away from being aggressive. Can't not be OK with his call there and not be OK with the others that paid off throughout his time in Philly.
Hassan Ridgeway playing well against run at DT for Eagles
Eagles have ball near midfield and down by 7. Reminde: They trailed 24-3
6:19: Jake Elliott 40 yard field goal pulls Eagles to within 24-20.
1:16 Stefon Diggs with 3rd TD of game. Fourth TD pass of game by Kirk Cousins, ties career high. Craig James in coverage. Great route by Diggs. it's 31-20
FOURTH QUARTER
8:17: Vikings go 88 yards to put this one out of reach 38-20 on 1-yard TD by Dalvin Cook
EAGLES will head to Dallas next Sunday night after a blowout loss. Be interesting to see how they respond in a pivotal NFC East game
