Game Preview | Vikings vs. Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles (3-0) return home after a stellar victory over division foe Washington on Sunday by a score of 24-8. The defense was dominant for the Eagles combining for nine sacks of Carson Wentz, 2.5 of them coming from NFC Defensive Player of the Week Brandon Graham.
The Jacksonville Jaguars (2-1) come in after their own dominating victory on the road against the Los Angeles Chargers. By winning the game, the Jaguars broke a 10-game road losing streak, one which ran back to the final game in Oakland for the Raiders. A game in December 2019, which the Jaguars won 20-16.
The overall series between these two teams is tied 3-3 with the series also being tied in Philadelphia 1-1.
Jacksonville Scouting Report
QB: Trevor Lawrence has started to show in recent games the reason he was taken as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft with six touchdowns to only one interception this season. The surrounding offensive weapons have been good for the Jaguars, and they are getting better as the season progresses for Coach Doug Peterson.
RB: Travis Etienne missed last season after a torn ACL in the preseason. With his return, he was considered the RB1 for Jacksonville. This far in the season, James Robinson has taken this mantle and run with it.
In Jacksonville’s win against the Los Angeles Chargers, Robinson had his sixth career 100-yard game. This included a 58-yard TD run on fourth down to ice the game early in the fourth quarter. While Etienne has not been overly involved yet, his pass-catching ability and his connection with Trevor Lawrence mean he can explode at any time and remains a dangerous asset.
WR: Free agent signing Christian Kirk has shown in early returns why the Jaguars wanted him. With 18 receptions for 254 yards and three TD in his first three games, he has taken over the W1 role from Marvin Jones Jr. With D.J. Chark now in Detroit, it was important for the Jaguars to find someone Lawrence trusted to take over this role.
The Cardinals found something in Kirk when they moved him inside last season. Jacksonville has continued to utilize Kirk in this manner, and it has paid off in spades for the young team. Zay Jones is questionable for this Sunday’s game, but the big target leads the team with 19 receptions. He and Kirk form the league’s No. 3-graded wide receiver duo, according to Pro Football Focus.
TE: Evan Engram is a familiar name for the Eagles from his time with the New York Giants. He caught a two-point conversion attempt against the Chargers, but with the run game being the key and the wide receivers playing well, Engram’s impact has been limited thus far.