We thought this one was going to be a defensive battle between two of the NFL’s elite units, but the Minnesota Vikings thought otherwise. Latavius Murray and Jerick Mckinnon got the run game going. Case Keenum came out early slingin’ the ball. It was a balanced offensive attack on the opening drive, and they struck first because of it. Keenum hit Kyle Rudolph for a 25-yard touchdown. Starting hot could prove critical in this game, as the Vikings capitalized on an Eagles defense that hadn’t settled into the game yet.
When the Eagles got the ball, Trey Burton made a hell of a catch at the sideline, but didn’t get both feet in bounds so the drive stalled. I was stunned that he wasn’t pelted with some sort of trash from the fans in Philly after that.
The Eagles defense settled in and completely swung the momentum of the game. They needed it after rolling over on that first drive. Chris Long hit Keenum while he was throwing the ball, and the sumbitch just went floating to Patrick Robinson. The Eagles defensive back made some moves in the open field, got a block, and ran it in. With the extra point, the Eagles tied it up 7-7.
At this point, I looked to my girlfriend, and said, “settle in – it’s gonna be a good game” in a smooth, smoldering voice.
The first quarter ends with a tied game and the Eagles moving the ball well.
LeGarrette Blount finished off that drive with a boom, thudding to a touchdown run that sent one poor Viking into the ground. Blount is a truck stick machine, and his forceful running put the Eagles up 14-7 after the extra point was good. Gotta say – I’m starting to think this guy might be the most underrated running back of his generation.
The Vikings continued to struggle to manufacture points after that opening drive. They didn’t seem to have any answers on offense, but thankfully, the defense stepped up with a couple of big plays on Foles that prevented some big plays.
Also, some of you might not know this, but Derek Barnett is a fucking beast. The former Tennessee Volunteer forced a fumble off the hands of Keenum, and the Eagles recovered it. On the ensuing drive, Foles sent off an absolute BOMB for 53 yards to Alshon Jeffery to lengthen their lead to 21-7.
But, that wasn’t enough. The Eagles moved the ball on their next drive so well that it got them into field goal range, where they’d secure the kick and go into the half up 24-7. Pretty stunning, and not the game we expected at all. Philly was absolutely having their way with the Vikings defense on that last drive. Huge chunks of yardage in the run game. Zach Ertz running wide open downfield. It was wild.
Sidenote: Keenum’s game has turned drastically. He is not having fun. Mike Zimmer is probably approaching the point of seizure after that defensive breakdown. The Vikes desperately need to regroup at the half.
***HALFTIME***
Shockingly enough, the Vikings did not regroup. In fact, they did the opposite. Trae Waynes allowed Torrey Smith to get wide open, Foles throws another bomb, and then boom – touchdown. 31-7 Eagles and the Vikings are absolutely on their heels.
They get the ball on offense and drive the ball deep into Eagles territory only to turn it over on downs after they failed to convert a 4th and goal from about the eight yard line. The Eagles defense just bowed up, and it started to look like this just wasn’t going to be Minnesota’s night.
Going into the fourth quarter, and the Eagles have marched the ball down to the Minnesota one yard line after taking over at their own eight. Yeeesssshhh. These Vikes are cooked.
Yeah, Alshon Jeffery…another Eagles touchdown. They’re up 38-7, and I’m just gonna go ahead and shut this live blog down for the night. I got shit to do.
Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD and #BeBetter. “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Alabama Crimson Tide football, the WWE, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley
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