The Philadelphia Eagles and Minnesota Vikings will meet on Thursday Night Football to kick off the Week 2 NFL schedule. Lincoln Financial Field hosts the game, with both teams trying to return to the playoffs after postseason appearances a year ago. Philadelphia reached the Super Bowl last season and opened with a 25-20 road win over the New England Patriots in Week 1. Minnesota posted a 13-4 campaign last season, though the Vikings opened the 2023 season with a home loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Kickoff is at 8:15 p.m. ET in Philadelphia. The SportsLine Consensus lists Philadelphia as a six-point favorite, while the over/under, or total number of points Vegas thinks will be scored, is 49 in the latest Vikings vs. Eagles odds. Before making any Eagles vs. Vikings picks or NFL predictions, be sure to see what SportsLine’s resident Vikings expert, R.J. White, has to say, considering his mastery of picks involving Minnesota.Ā
White, a Fantasy and gambling editor for CBS Sports, consistently crushes against-the-spread picks and went 535-450-30 on his ATS picks from 2017-22, which returned more than $3,500 to $100 players. He also closed the 2022 NFL season on an incredible 107-80-6 run on his last 193 against-the-spread and total NFL picks, returning more than $1,800 for $100 bettors.
Moreover, White has a read on the pulse of the Vikings. In fact, he is an amazing 56-31-4 (+2123) on his last 91 picks involving Minnesota. Anyone who has followed him is way up.
Now, White has zeroed in on Vikings vs. Eagles and just locked in his picks and TNF predictions. You can head to SportsLine to see his picks. Now, here are several NFL odds and betting lines for Eagles vs. Vikings:
- Vikings vs. Eagles spread: Eagles -6
- Vikings vs. Eagles over/under: 49 points
- Vikings vs. Eagles money line: Eagles -260, Vikings +214
- Minnesota: Vikings are 7-11-1 against the spread since start of 2022 season
- Philadelphia: Eagles are 11-10 against the spread since start of 2022 season
- Vikings vs. Eagles picks: See picks at SportsLine
Why the Vikings can cover
Minnesota’s offense had a few self-inflicted issues in Week 1, but the Vikings can look back to 2022 for optimism. The Vikings finished No. 4 in the NFL with 382 first downs last season and in the top seven in total yards (361.5 per game) and passing yards (263.8 per game). Minnesota also posted top-eight marks in scoring (24.9 points per game), red zone efficiency (63%), and rushing touchdowns (18), with strong third down efficiency (41.2%).
While the Eagles are stout on defense, the Vikings can lean on the connection between Kirk Cousins and Justin Jefferson. Cousins threw for 344 yards and two touchdowns in the opener, connecting on 75% of his pass attempts. That came after a 2022 season in which he finished in the top five in passing yards (4,547) and passing touchdowns (29). Cousins also has an unquestionably elite weapon in Jefferson, who exploded for 150 yards in Week 1. Jefferson led the NFL in receptions (128), yards per touch (13.9) and receiving yards (1,809) last season. No player in NFL history has more 100-yard games (25) than Jefferson through his first four seasons.Ā See which team to pick here.
Why the Eagles can cover
Philadelphia has a dynamic offense, led by Jalen Hurts, but the Eagles have a sizable edge on defense. The Eagles opened the season by holding the New England Patriots to 3.5 yards per rush attempt and 5.5 yards per pass attempt, with the Patriots also converting fewer than 34% of third down chances. Philadelphia also led the NFL in several defensive categories over the course of the 2022 season, including sacks (70), passing yards allowed (179.8 per game) and yards per play allowed (4.8).Ā
The Eagles roasted opposing offenses to the tune of only 301.5 total yards allowed per game, No. 2 in the NFL, and Philadelphia forced a turnover on 15.1% of defensive possessions. That havoc rate led to a top-five mark in takeaways (27) for the season, and opponents scored only 20.2 points per game against Philadelphia. With the offense leading the NFL in rushing touchdowns and posting top-five marks in other key categories, Philadelphia’s roster is a two-way juggernaut.Ā See which team to pick here.
How to make Eagles vs. Vikings picks
White is leaning Under on the point total, but he also has isolated a critical X-factor that has him going big on one side of the spread. He’s only sharing what it is, and which side to back, at SportsLine.
Who wins Eagles vs. Vikings on Thursday Night Football, and which critical X-factor makes one side of the spread hit hard? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Eagles vs. Vikings spread to back, all from the expert who is an impressive 56-31 on picks involving Minnesota, and find out.
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Author: CBS Sports Staff
September 13, 2023 | 11:25 pm
