When the Vikings/Eagles wild card playoff matchup was finalized last weekend, the Las Vegas betting line had the home Minnesota Vikings as 10-point underdogs to the visiting Philadelphia Eagles. Personally, I think that a different sort of "line" will be much more important on Sunday, that being the defensive variety...
If the Vikings (more specifically Jared Allen, Kevin Williams, and whoever fills in for the injured DE Ray Edwards) can constantly harass Philly QB Donovan McNabb and put him in some pain (as shown above), I think the Vikes will be heading to Carolina next week. Sure, the Eagles usually win games by leaning on RB Bryant Westbrook, but does anyone seriously think (Pat Williams or no Pat Williams) that a RUNNING BACK will dominate a game against the Vikes? I don't think so! Westbrook may have a decent game--even topping 100 yards--but I think McNabb will determine the outcome of the contest. If given time, Donovan will pick apart the Vikings' secondary just because he is good enough to do so. If pressure is applied, their entire scheme changes, as Philly has no big-time WRs that can dominate a game even if the QB is running for his life. So, it's that simply...pressure McNabb and success will follow.
Of course, offensively, young QB Tarvaris Jackson will be severely tested by an Eagles defense that blitzes first and asks questions later. From what I've seen from T-Jack of late, though, he should be able to avoid that pressure and find the open man (something that always exists against the Eagles D). If Gus Frerotte were the starter right now, I would be praying for his safety, but Jackson has proven (over the past 3-4 games) his ability to scramble when necessary.
Finally, and most obviously, the Vikes will have to eliminate mental/simple mistakes altogether. Brad Childress can't bungle the time management, turnovers cannot occur, and the special teams (once an abysmal unit) must maintain the focus they have shown down the stretch of late.
All in all, I think the Vikings will defeat the Eagles on Sunday by a score of 27-21. As long as enough pressure is put on McNabb (which the Vikes have been great about all season no matter who is on the D-line) to keep the defense from tiring out, I think that Jackson and Adrian Peterson will thwart Philly's defense and score more than is expected of them.
Go Purple!!
Keywords: Adrian Peterson, Brad Childress, Bryant Westbrook, Donovan McNabb, Gus Frerotte, Jared Allen, Kevin Williams, Minnesota Vikings, NFL Playoffs, Pat Williams, Philadelphia Eagles, Ray Edwards, Tarvaris Jackson
