What to watch in Eagles-Vikings | Early Birds

Good morning. The Eagles have their last practice at 11:50 a.m. today before Sunday's game against the Minnesota Vikings. Doug Pederson's news conference is at 10:30 a.m. The Eagles will release their final injury report after practice. Pay attention to the status of Derek Barnett, Corey Clement, and Darren Sproles.

This is a Friday edition of the Early Birds newsletter. If your friends haven't subscribed, it's free to sign up here to receive the newsletter in your inbox. I want to know what you think, what we should add, and what you want to read, so send me feedback by email or on Twitter @ZBerm. Thank you for reading.

— Zach Berman

The biggest edge in this game is the Eagles' defensive line against the Vikings' offensive line. The Eagles pride themselves on their defensive line, and though Derek Barnett hasn't practiced yet this week, they have enough depth to still have cause problems. The Vikings' offensive line seems is the weakness of their offense. The Eagles took advantage of it the last two times the teams played, totaling seven sacks and 21 quarterback hits.

"It comes down to us," defensive tackle Fletcher Cox said. "We're the group that needs to lead this team each and every week. We have to. There's no questions about it."

The Eagles have 11 sacks in four games this season, and they'll have ample opportunity to hit Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins on Sunday. Cousins leads the NFL in pass attempts and has been sacked 13 times and hit 25 times. This matchup is a big reason why I'm picking the Eagles.

The Vikings are last in the NFL in rushing with 63 yards per game. They also have a league-low 73 rushing attempts. Game situations have dictated that low number, but it's a point of discussion in Minnesota this week. Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz implored his team not to be deceived by that number.

"They have a defensive coach, he's not going to stand for that very long," Schwartz said. "They want to establish the run. It's our job to keep them from doing that and keep big plays off the board."

The running game has been missing a healthy Dalvin Cook. He missed practice the past two days with a hamstring injury, so watch his status on Friday. But when he's out there, he's a dynamic running back and the Eagles must be ready.

Opponents are blitzing the Eagles this season, and the Eagles are having a hard time protecting the quarterback. The Vikings like to blitz and they've seen the film. Safety Harrison Smith already has two sacks this season. This is going to be a big part of the game for the Eagles. There's been many questions about the Eagles offensive line, but it's more than the line. It's also on the running backs. And without Darren Sproles, who is the Eagles' best pass-blocking running back, they're exposed in that area. The Eagles need to identify the blitz, adjust to it, and block it. The wide receivers need to get open and Carson Wentz must take advantage of fewer defenders in coverage. But just like the Eagles can change the game with their defensive line, the Vikings' blitzing could hurt the Eagles offense.

Alshon Jeffery had his best statistical game in an Eagles jersey last week, which was his first game of the season. Doug Pederson expects top Vikings cornerback Xavier Rhodes to follow Jeffery around the field. Jeffery will still be targeted, but this is an example of how Jeffery's presence can help the other Eagles targets. If Rhodes focuses on Jeffery, other wide receivers such as Nelson Agholor and Jordan Matthews could have more appealing matchups. (Tight end Zach Ertz will always be a top target.) Agholor was in line for a big game last week, but drops were an issue. He needs to take advantage of the attention that goes Jeffery's way. As has been said before, the Eagles would also be wise to use more two-tight end sets and get Dallas Goedert involved.

It's hard to look at the Eagles' home-road splits and not see a homefield advantage. What was apparent last season has continued this season. It doesn't seem like coincidence that the Eagles' two wins are at Lincoln Financial Field and two losses are on the road. In two home games this season, the Eagles defense has kept opposing quarterbacks to a 64.6 passer rating. On the road, that passer rating is 119.4. The Eagles are allowing 12.5 points per game more on the road than at home. Since Doug Pederson became the head coach, the Eagles are 17-3 at home, including the postseason. They are 8-11 away from home. In order to make the postseason, the Eagles must have road success. But they also can't give home games away. The homefield advantage will be a factor on Sunday.

Zach Berman: Are you expecting Xavier Rhodes to follow you on Sunday and how do you think that matchup goes?

Alshon Jeffery: I expect him to follow me. I played him a lot when I was with Chicago so I look forward to it.

ZB: Usually when a player misses eight months, it takes some time to get going. You had your best game in an Eagles uniform. What do you attribute that to?

AJ: I think the best game was the Super Bowl. That's the game we won. …Stats don't matter. We didn't win the game. That's all that matters, is wins.

ZB: Do you feel a noticeable difference out there after the surgery?

AJ: I think it's the same. Just getting back out there, there might be some rust, but at the same time, catching the ball, it's no different.

Can I go with a push? I guess I'll  go with the over, but it'll be around 25. The Vikings traditionally have a top run defense, although they're allowing 104 yards per game this season. I don't think the Eagles need to run 30+ times, and I'm all for passing the ball when the matchup is favorable. I thought too much was made this week of their run-pass ratio; they topped 400 total yards against the Titans, they were clearly moving the ball. But Jay Ajayi is in position to be the Eagles' lead running back this week, and Wendell Smallwood will get a few carries, too. The offense will still rely on Carson Wentz's right arm. I think the Eagles play with a lead late in the game and those carries will push the total above 25. But I don't think it'll be significantly higher.

This is a developmental year for Josh Sweat, the Eagles' fourth-round pick. He has tools, but the Eagles are well stocked at defensive end and Sweat can take this year to learn. He's the fifth defensive end, similar to what Steven Means was last season. With that said, he'll be pushed into action if the Eagles have injuries. Derek Barnett hasn't practiced yet this week because of a shoulder injury. If Barnett doesn't play on Sunday, you'll see Sweat active and potentially playing on defense. So pay attention to Barnett's status.

I'll never say never, but considering the salary cap implications, I'd certainly say it's well less than 50 percent that the Eagles would acquire Le'Veon Bell. It's a fun type of trade to discuss and who wouldn't want one of the NFL's most dynamic players, but they'd need to restructure contracts (or trade a big contract) just to fit Bell's salary. And that's before you even mention the draft pick compensation it would take to acquire him. I understand the argument they could give a pick now and get a compensatory pick in 2020 if he were to leave during the offseason, but the moving parts and cap implications of restructuring deals must be taken into account. Plus, I think the Eagles have enough at running back this year. I like Jay Ajayi quite a bit. They'd obviously be better with an elite player, but I thought the conversation about Earl Thomas last week (before Thomas' injury) made more sense considering the Eagles had a hole at safety.