Positively Purple: Week 2, Why We Win

Before the Packers game, I said my outlook for the season would swing on how the team looked in that game.  The Packers injuries and roster were primed for the Vikings to take advantage and they did.  More than stats or score, I was really happy to see the overall game plan work out well.  So I'll stick with that and say I think the Vikings should win this game, how is here: Pluck the Eagles.  

I liked the Vikings to Beat the Packers.  I think I would take Packers over Eagles on a neutral site.  But even with both those thoughts, I think the Eagles will be a closer game than the Packers.  A few reasons:

- Eagles seem like a high risk / high reward offense.  Hurts might extend plays and drives or he might miss a read or throw the ball at a guys foot.  The Packers had a specific offensive system, beat the system, beat the Packers.  The high variation for the Eagles makes for a higher range of outcomes - so even if the defense plays well, sometime Hurts will just make a play.

- The Packers were familiar, the game plan would make sense.  The Eagles are unique with Hurts, so there will be more pressure on the coaching staff to prepare an opponent specific game plan.  This team-specific game plan for a team with a unique offense will be a new challenge for Kevin O'Connell; everything I've seen suggests his approach will be good for this, but I will be happier once I see it.

- The secondary rush got to Rodgers on a few occasions, I don't think it will get to Hurts - he's to quick to run and Hunter, Za'Darius, Wonnum won't catch him from behind.  I like Dantzler on the edge playing zone - he's an aggressive run supporter that should be able to direct Hurts to the sideline (unless he's in man coverage facing downfield).

The difference in the game is how good the Vikings skill players are.  The Eagles left a lot of room for Swift to run when they really only had to account for Amon-Ra St. Brown as a real receiving threat.  If the Eagles struggled with that, I don't see how they will cover Jefferson, KJ Osborn deep, Thielen finding space and still have enough guys left over to stop Dalvin Cook hunting looking for gaps.  The Packers shut down KJ Osborn on crossing routes with great individual play - I don't think the Eagles have the talent in the secondary to do that.  I feel like this game is ripe for a a guy other than Jefferson / Cook to have a big impact.  

Finally, I really hope Jalen Reagor gets his revenge.  He was nothing but humble and classy and worked on his game as Eagles fans ripped him.  The Eagles organization and fans deserve a 50 yard Reagor TD as salt in the wound.  Maybe they can give Reagor a few of Osborn's crosses or deep runs.

I just feel these are the types of games that we lose.

I think you're underselling the Lions - TJ Hockenson is a very solid TE, DJ Chark is a solid deep threat who I've always thought is underrated, and Swift is one of the best receiving backs in the game. It's not a top 10 unit, but I can see why Goff had some success in garbage time.
It's funny, Eagles fans were united in wanting him fired over the 2021 offseason, but now they seem mixed now that the team overachieved in 2021 (compared to team expectations). Whiffing on Jefferson is something he'll never live down, but otherwise he has been drafting well lately.

The Vikings are not cursed. Wallowing in self pity is what many fans choose to do and feel comfortable in it. It's their safe place. 

Doubt.... is easy to have. The Vikings have a challenging opponent because they have a strong running game. Fortunately, Detroit ran on them, and as good as the Eagles Secondary is, they have a challenge covering our receivers in this offense. The Vikings offense can be special. They have a star and some very good players, and their line is improving. KO and his coaches will be well prepared to face the Eagles defense. I will be surprised if the Eagles keep the Vikings under 28.

If the Eagles score more than expected, can they really score 28 on the Vikings' D? It's possible, and the game could be close. I think the Vikings get 2+ turnovers, and these turnovers help them win.

I would argue they only need to do #2 lol. Contain Hurts, win the game. Well and we do need good Kirk to show up again too. He needs to improve to 3-9 on MNF after this one.

A pathetic moment of weakness by Phil. Juggs was even shaking his head in shame. As impressive as the win was, it's way too early to be eating crow. It could be as simple as the Packers didn't know what to expect, but now that there's some film, maybe we're not much better than a .500 team. We haven't seen Kevin under pressure yet either. What kind of decisions is he going to make with the game on the line, or when to challenge and use timeouts. He got to coast week 1, but he might have his Nathaniel Hackett moment Monday night.

I couldn't do neutral site, but according to the SuperSim, using week 1 lineups, Philadelphia won 56% of the time in Lambeau, and 54% of the time in Philly. And as everyone knows, the SS is better than a magic 8 ball, so you can take those results to the bank xD. The Packers do travel to Philly week 12, so we'll find out. BTW the Vikings beat the Packers 55% of the time at home. And not to spoil the results of the Monday night game, but the Eagles win about 50.1% of the time.

It's ok big fella, Zimmer isn't here anymore, so he can't hurt you. We'll get you through this.

Whoa whoa whoa, I haven't even posted my report yet, so we'll see about that. After I pour over all the data, and figure out how to make the sausage, we'll find out who is or isn't cursed.