8 Reactions to the Vikings Loss at Philadelphia
After going 11-0 in one-score games during the 2022 season, the Minnesota Vikings are now 0-2 in such games through two weeks of the 2023 season.
Minnesota continued their losing ways by falling to the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday night by a score of 34-28.
In the aftermath of that game, here are 8 reactions to the latest Vikings loss.
1. You Get a Turnover, You Get a Turnover, You Get a Turnover
At the end of the day, the Minnesota Vikings should have won this game. However, four more turnovers signed, sealed, and delivered their fate against the Eagles. Justin Jefferson’s fumble through the end zone hurt the most, but if any one of these fumbles didn’t happen, we’re likely looking at a very different result. Instead, Minnesota fumbled the ball away four times in a five-possession stretch.
The Vikings are the first team since the 2015 Colts to have at least 7 turnovers through their first two games, and no team to do so has won more than nine games. That doesn’t bode well moving forward.
2. The Run Defense Needs Help
In Week 1, the Vikings managed to stifle the Buccaneers offense to the tune of only 242 yards, and Tampa averaged just 2.2 yards per carry. That was not the story in Week 2 against the Eagles. Philadelphia totaled 254 yards on the ground on Thursday, truly dominating in the trenches behind the strength of D’Andre Swift.
Granted, Minnesota won’t play against this type of rushing attack and offensive line every week, but when we get into January and playoff time (if they even make it there), they will have to play at least one of Dallas, Philadelphia, or San Francisco. Right now, they are not prepared to win any of those games with how the run defense looked.
3. K.J. Osborn May Have Lost His WR2 Job
K.J. Osborn is a good football player, and he has held down the WR3 spot for the past two years. However, he does not seem ready for an upgrade to a WR2 role. He had a couple bad drops in this game, and Jordan Addison made the most of his five targets, catching three passes for 72 yards and a touchdown.
4. Kirk Cousins Played an Incredible Game
The biggest reason that the Vikings were able to even have a chance at winning this game was because of the arm of their QB. Kirk Cousins threw for 364 yards and 4 TDs, tearing apart Philadelphia’s secondary throughout the night. He took another bad strip sack, but outside of that play, this was a strong game for the 35-year-old.
5. So Much for the “Balanced Offense”
Throughout the offseason, the Vikings harped on the idea that their rushing attack would be a bigger emphasis in 2023. They brought in Josh Oliver, one of the best blocking tight ends in the league, and have used much more 12 personnel.
However, once again, the Vikings rushing offense was a whimper. Minnesota ran the ball just nine times for a total of 28 yards. Despite playing more games than 30 other NFL teams, the Vikings have the fifth-fewest rushing yards in the league.
6. Another Long Kick Against the Vikings
Of course, a devastating loss wouldn’t be complete without a kicker nailing a long kick. After Jefferson’s fumble through the end zone, the Eagles drove down the field in the final seconds of the first half, and Jake Elliott nailed a 61-yard field goal that probably would have been good from about 70 yards.
7. Ivan Pace Rules
Through two games in his NFL career, Ivan Pace has solidified his role on the Vikings defense. On Thursday night, he lived in the backfield against the Eagles, recording 8 tackles and half a sack. Not only did he provide some great production at the linebacker spot, but he did it while wearing a ’90s-style neck roll. Again, Ivan Pace rules.
8. The Uphill Battle Begins
Minnesota is now firmly entrenched at the bottom of the league at 0-2. Things don’t get much easier moving forward, either. Here is a look at their next six games:
- Week 3 vs. Los Angeles Chargers
- Week 4 at Carolina Panthers
- Week 5 vs. Kansas City Chiefs
- Week 6 at Chicago Bears
- Week 7 vs. San Francisco 49ers
- Week 8 at Green Bay Packers
How many wins do you see on this slate?
Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho and managing editor of PurplePTSD.com. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys running, gaming, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. Check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.