Steve Starr
- The Philadelphia Eagles are 2.5-point home favorites over the Minnesota Vikings
- Kirk Cousins has a 5-4 record in prime-time games over the past three seasons
- Monday Night Football kicks off from Lincoln Financial Field on September 18 at 8:30pm ET
Justin Jefferson and A.J. Brown were unstoppable on the first Sunday of the football season. The Vikings’ Pro Bowl receiver went for a career-high 184 yards on nine catches with two touchdowns while Philadelphia’s draft-day acquisition caught 10 passes for 155 yards in his Eagles debut.
With both their teams at 1-0, which electric pass catcher will steal the show on Monday Night Football? Before we check the odds on the game, here’s where you can find the best Super Bowl betting tips and the top betting sites for NFL football in 2022.
Eagles vs Vikings
 | Spread | Money Line | Total Points |
| Minnesota Vikings | +2.5 (-110) | +120 | Ov 50.5 (-115) |
| Philadelphia Eagles | -2.5 (-110) | -140 | Un 50.5 (-105) |
Cousins vs Hurts
Kirk Cousins and Jalen Hurts both faced their fair share of questions heading into Week 1. Proving the life is better without defensive head coach Mike Zimmer, the Vikings starter passed for 277 yards and 2 TDs in a 23-7 win over Aaron Rodgers and the Packers. With 184 of those yards going to Jefferson, the 34-year-old barely utilized Dalvin Cook or Adam Thielen in the pass game.
Hurts failed to throw a touchdown in the Eagles’ 38-35 victory over Detroit, but he picked up 90 yards and a score on the ground, and showed instant chemistry with A.J. Brown. Minnesota’s defense should provide a much stiffer test on Monday.
After the win today, Kirk Cousins now has a winning record against Aaron Rodgers and the Packers. pic.twitter.com/ZjVUERBCJD
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) September 11, 2022
Philly’s D must improve
The Eagles defense allowed 386 total yards to the Lions, including 181 rushing yards, and Detroit scored touchdowns on three of four second-half possessions. While defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon was apparently a “hot” coaching candidate in the offseason, this is the second-straight year his scheme is failing.
General manager Howie Roseman drafted mammoth defensive tackle Jordan Davis and brought in both James Bradberry and Chauncey Gardner-Johnson to firm up the secondary. He’s going to want to see major improvements from Gannon’s D versus the Vikings.
Eagles vs Vikings
Kirk Cousins’ performance under the lights has been much aligned throughout his career. Funnily enough, he actually has a better winning percentage in prime time (5-4, .556) than non-prime-time games (20-17, .541) over the past three years. However, his yards per attempt (6.61 to 8.31) and passer rating (88.4 to 108.9) are noticeably lower.
With Kevin O’Connell in charge of Minnesota’s new look attack, the three-time Pro Bowler has an opportunity to prove his legion of critics wrong on Monday night. And, given the putrid state of the NFC, a win could make the Vikings one of the leading favorites to reach the Super Bowl.
Jalen Hurts and the Eagles offense are looking dangerous 🦅 pic.twitter.com/97EINfj2pB
— PFF (@PFF) September 11, 2022
Best Bet
After having to cover a bunch of rookie receivers in the game versus Green Bay, the Vikings secondary will be put to the test against A.J. Brown. But, Justin Jefferson should also feast against Gannon’s porous Eagles defense. This one projects as a shootout.
Take the OVER on 50.5 points. We also like Minnesota to win outright at +120.
Final Score Prediction: Minnesota 30, Eagles 23
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