We’re over last week. It’s a new week of Eagles football.

To all the Eagles fans who had an extra day to remain calm, I’m right there with you.

What a week it has been. Supposed Jalen Reagor revenge. Justin Jefferson being happier in Minnesota than Philly. To top it off, the 2018 NFC Chip video is getting fans hyped for tonight’s primetime matchup.

Eagles fans got to the stadium early to start tailgating. Avid Philly sports fan Chase McNeill is especially ready to get back to the fun.

“I think it’s going to be a great game,” McNeill said. “This team has the energy and swagger about them that feels different, and the Linc is going to be insane tonight.”

Though a lot of fans are working today, and a lot are tailgating, one thing they have in common is that this game will be a great way to have fun after work.

“[There’s] nothing like the bright lights on a Monday night in South Philly to get rid of the Monday blues,” McNeill said.

There’s a lot riding on this game. If the Eagles win, it could be the statement win they need to become NFC favorites this season. The Vikings, however, are not the Lions. The Lions are good, but the Vikings are way better. Where the Eagles kind of struggled last week against an improved Detroit team, the Vikings had no problem defeating their NFC North divisional opponent. 

This doesn’t add up to a total Vikings sweep, however. Kirk Cousins is not the best when it comes to primetime games. When you factor in traveling to the Linc with about 75,000 fans ready for a good game, it could be troubling for the Vikings to compete.

All eyes will be on Jalen Hurts, but there will be pressure on Jonathan Gannon to make sure he’s getting pressure at Cousins and containing Jefferson and Dalvin Cook. Against the Packers, Jefferson had nine receptions for 184 yards and two touchdowns. Cook had 20 carries for 90 yards.

The Eagles are entering Week 2 with a pretty much healthy team. Derek Barnett is out for the season with an ACL injury. The Vikings are without rookie cornerback, Andrew Booth Jr., who suffered a quad injury.

Injury Report:

Eagles

Fletcher Cox (rest) – unspecified

Landon Dickerson (rest) – unspecified

Brandon Graham (rest) – unspecified

Lane Johnson (rest) – unspecified

Jason Kelce (rest) – unspecified

Isaac Seumalo (rest) – unspecified

Josh Sweat (rest) – unspecified

Jack Stoll (ankle) – unspecified

Vikings

Andrew Booth (quad) – out

Jonathan Bullard (biceps) – unspecified

Lewis Cine (knee) – unspecified

D.J. Wonnum (foot) – unspecified

The Eagles can win this game. It’s not impossible, but it won’t be easy. The Vikings know how to tackle, and they do it often to create those stops. The Eagles front line need to protect Hurts to give him that room to move the ball around. Jordan Hicks will be the guy to get after Hurts, so the front line needs to step up and keep him contained.

On the other side, the Vikings are just as likely to win this game. The Eagles struggled last week, with a shaky start on offense and defense, the Vikings will see right through that. If they can steal that momentum early on, they’ll literally run with it and dominate the game.

Prediction: Eagles 30-28

Ultimately, I think the Eagles will pull through and win this game. The Lions were not an easy team last week (if I haven’t mentioned this already). They were good practice for facing teams that will run these same schemes or bring this level of intensity. The Birds might do just enough to scrape together a win.

The Eagles take on the Minnesota Vikings at the Lincoln Financial Field on Monday, September 19, at 8:30 p.m. ABC and NFL Network will broadcast the game and fans can also tune in to 94.1 WIP Sports Radio.