Are the Vikings a safe bet in Week 17?

Minnesota At Philadelphia NFL Expert Predictions

Written by on October 18, 2016

There has been a history of players coming into the NFL and making an immediate impact, only to fade away pretty quickly in the following weeks. This is a league where film is studied relentlessly, and teams go all out to try and figure out ways to stop dominant players. In the opening 3 weeks of the season, rookie QB Carson Wentz set the world on fire for the Philadelphia Eagles, but the last couple of weeks have seen him brought back to earth, as the Eagles lost two straight, and saw diminishing returns from their offense. That is not good news for a team about to take on one of the best defenses I the league in the shape of the Minnesota Vikings. It will be a 5-0 team that heads into Philly this weekend, as well as one that is sure to be well rested after sitting out Week 6 with a bye. Wentz is going to have all he can handle against a ferocious defense, which may help explain why the Eagles are a 2.5-point underdog for this one.

In Depth Analysis On The Minnesota Vikings At Philadelphia Eagles NFL Expert Predictions

When: Sunday, October 23 at 1 PM EST
Where: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia
TV: FOX
Radio: KFXN and WIP
Live Stream: FOX Sports GO
NFL Odds: TBA



Why bet on the Minnesota Vikings

If the old adage about defense winning championships is indeed true, then we all have to be taking a serious look at what the Minnesota Vikings are doing. They are giving up an average of a little over 12 points per game through their first 5 starts, and that has helped make them an excellent pick ATS, where they are also 5-0 this season. There were some legitimate concerns about the offense with long term injuries to Teddy Bridgewater and Adrian Peterson, but they appear to be unfounded. Sam Bradford has fit in brilliantly and the offense has only turned over the ball once this season. Take into account the fact that the D has forced 12 turnovers and it’s easy to see why the Vikings continue to win.

Why bet on the Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles are a lot like the Vikings in that they have been playing great defensive ball, and have routinely been winning the turnover battle. The problem during the past couple of weeks, where Philly has lost back to back games, is that they were unable to move the ball on offense. Young Carson Wentz has been very good this season, but he is coming off his worst start as a pro versus the Redskins, where he was just 11-22 for 145 yards. He is going to have to find a way to get back on track, and to avoid the blitzes that the Vikings are sure to be sending his way.

Expert Pick and Final Score Prediction

While I do believe that Carson Wentz will find his way back to form, I just don’t think this will be the week that it happens. This will be the best defense that he has faced yet, and the Vikings will force him into making some errors along the way.

Minnesota Vikings 23 Philadelphia Eagles 13