2 of 5 experts pick the Vikings, NFL.com
Analysis from NFL.com’s Brooke Cersosimo:
There’s just no breathing room in the NFC North, and sand is running out of the hourglass for Minnesota to figure things out offensively. Fortunately, it had the bye week to get some key players healthy. However, J.J. McCarthy isn’t yet “100 percent,” so it could be Carson Wentz facing the team that drafted him in the place where the Eagles won the franchise’s first Super Bowl – with an injured Wentz watching from the sideline. That should be plenty of fuel for Wentz’s fire. It’ll help if guard Donovan Jackson, tackle Brian O’Neill and backup center Michael Jurgens – all of whom have practiced in some capacity this week – are able to play. They’ll need to be on their Ps and Qs with Jalen Carter back for Philly. Regardless, expect Wentz to lean on Justin Jefferson, who is averaging nearly four more catches per game and 45 more yards per game with Wentz at QB than McCarthy this season. Another major storyline here is Philly’s offensive struggles in back-to-back losses. Offensive Coordinator Kevin Patullo wants to run the ball more – and honestly, he should. It’s a crime that Saquon Barkley has rushed for fewer than 90 yards in all six games this season. This could be the week the Eagles jump-start their ground attack, with Minnesota ranking in the bottom third against the run. Brian Flores’ unit has struggled without leaders Blake Cashman and Andrew Van Ginkel, but if both of them are healthy and on the field Sunday, the defense might just keep the questions about Philly’s offense swirling for another week.