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MINNESOTA VIKINGS | NFCCG | PHILADELPHIA EAGLES |
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Date: | 21 January 2018 | Location: | Philadelphia, PA |
Time: | 5:40 PM Central | Stadium: | Lincoln Financial Field |
TV: | FOX | Radio: | Vikings Radio Network XM Ch 83 Sirius Ch 83 |
TV Announcers: | Joe Buck Troy Aikman | Know Thy Foe: | Bleeding Green Nation |
Weather: | 46 degrees, winds from S at 5 MPH, 10% chance of precipitation | ||
Line: | Minnesota -3.5, Over/Under 39 (Thanks to the SB Nation odds page) | ||
Chris' Prediction: | Vikings 20, Eagles 17 | ||
Final Score: | Eagles 38, Vikings 7 (oops) |
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Well, folks, this is the biggest one since the last one. It's time for the 2017 NFC Championship Game, and it will be contested between your Minnesota Vikings and the Philadelphia Eagles. The winner of this one will advance to play one more game at U.S. Bank Stadium on the first Sunday of February, and the loser will be able to start their offseason.
So, what does Minnesota have to do in order to punch their ticket to. . .ummmmmm, U.S. Bank Stadium?
1) Maintain focus - We're a week removed from the Minneapolis Miracle, and while the fans are still buzzing about it, you can bet that the players and coaches have put it in the rear view mirror. Everyone on both sides of the ball in this one is going to have to keep themselves focused on the task at hand. The Eagles are the #1 seed in the NFC for a reason, after all, and if the Vikings aren't totally ready for this one, they could see it slip away.
2) Stop the run - The Eagles have a very talented trio of running backs in Jay Ajayi, LeGarrette Blount, and Corey Clement. It is imperative that the Minnesota defense, which was #2 in the NFL against the run this season, put the clamps down on that group. That will keep the Eagles "behind the chains" and means that Nick Foles will be forced to shoulder more of the load. One would have to think that's a potentially winning formula for this Minnesota team.
3) Avoid the big mistake - The Vikings gave up 24 points to New Orleans last week, but 14 of those points came as a direct result of giving them short fields. . .one on a blocked punt and one on an interception by Case Keenum. As we've said numerous times this season, when teams are forced to go long distances and maintain drives against this Minnesota defense, more often than not they can't do it. The Vikings need to avoid big, game-changing mistakes like the ones we saw last weekend.
We are less than an hour away from kickoff, ladies and gentlemen. Enjoy the game, and keep your eyes peeled for the new thread at the start of each quarter.
Let's do this, y'all.
SKOLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL VIKINGS!!!!