Minnesota Vikings vs Eagles: Madden Prediction
The Minnesota Vikings and Philadelphia Eagles are set to face off in a week seven match up featuring both two of the NFL’s best defenses and most interesting quarterbacks.
A game like this can be hard to predict. Luckily, there is a way to see the future. In a highly-realistic Madden 17 simulation, the Minnesota Vikings blew out the Philadelphia Eagles 51-13.
Despite the way the Minnesota Vikings have been disposing of opponents, Madden only recently upgraded the team from 78 to 90 overall. With the Eagles sitting at 88, a Madden prediction was finally appropriate due to the finally accurate ratings.
Game recap
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The passing season for both Sam Bradford and Carson Wentz cooled down in this defensive match up. Bradford had his lowest passer rating of the year with 75.8, and he threw his first two interceptions. Wentz had a miserable 10.7 rating and threw five interceptions.
Wentz was conscious of the Minnesota Vikings’ pass rush. He only took two sacks while getting the ball out quickly. With the Vikings pulling ahead quickly, however, Wentz was forced to pass downfield rather than sticking to the effective running game. Bradford suffered an early pick on a tipped ball, but the Vikings bounced back by getting the rushing attack going for the first time in the season.
Both Vikings running back Jerick McKinnon and Eagles running back Ryan Matthews broke 100 yards rushing. McKinnon got into the end zone twice. Matthews got there once, but also lost a fumble to Eric Kendricks.
While Jordan Matthews was held to just two catches fro 38 yards, Stefon Diggs came away with six catches, 89 yards and a touchdown.
Smothered on the outside by Vikings corners Xavier Rhodes and Terrance Newman, the Eagles had to force throws down to middle. This resulted in Eric Kendricks reading the rookie’s eyes and stealing two picks.
The Vikings also gave up two sacks, but were quick to challenge Philadelphia’s excellent run defense with creative plays to McKinnon. Newly signed left tackle, Jake Long, added toughness to the rushing attack, and gave Bradford a brief peek of what a pocket looks like. With the late-blooming running game finally in effect, the Vikings dominated possession with 39:37 against Philadelphia’s 20:23.
What this really means
Hey, who am I to judge the fortune-telling abilities of Madden. Sure, the game took over a month to upgrade the Vikings from a 78 to a 90, but that’s none of my business.
The real takeaway from this game is the respect the Vikings have finally garnished from the football community. At the beginning of the season, players that Vikings fans knew were good like Adam Thielen and Marcus Sherels wouldn’t even make the roster on “Franchise” mode. Now, Thielen is every announcer’s favorite story and Sherels is a respected return man.
Next: Minnesota Vikings Offense Better Without Bridgewater and Peterson?
51-13 might sound like hyperbole, but at least the Minnesota Vikings are on the right side of a hyperbolic win.