On Thursday night, the Philadelphia Eagles play host to the Minnesota Vikings in what has been aptly dubbed The Biggest Game of the Season Bowl. And in terms of stakes, it's tough to disagree with that name. The Hands-Arnold rivalry goes back decades, and finally, here in 2032, the foes finally square off at the NFL's center stage. Add in the playoff ramifications and viewers have everything they could ask for in a game.
First year coach Dale Arnold has revitalized a stale franchise in short order, but without a signature win on his resume, hopes of a playoff birth are fleeting. The Vikings are in the playoffs NOW. They essentially need to win out to secure a spot in the dance for the first time since 2019.
There's good news out of Minnesota in that rookie QB Zack Richie has been cleared to play for the Vikings. More of a game manager at this point in his young career, Richie will rely heavily on the NFL's second leading rushing, rookie phenom Isaac Bruton. While the playbook is limited, the Vikings have still managed to average the fourth most total yards in user games so far, and fifth most in points.
The issue lies defensively, where offenses have shredded the Vikings to the tune of 37.6 PPG in user games - only the Cowboys are worse. The yardage numbers are even worse, as the Vikes check in at DFL with 381 yards allowed per game.
Meanwhile, Abe "Always Drink in" Hands has the Birds where they always are - a nonthreatening team competing for the playoffs, relying on fraudulent offensive stats padded vs. bad teams. With the depth and quality of the league vastly improved, Hands' formula simply might not be good enough anymore. Throw in the fact that starting QB Brandon Purvis is still out with a broken collarbone, and its dire times in Philly.
The Birds will rely on capable back-up Benjamin Black to orchestrate the high-powered, highly-compustible offense. Black did throw for 320 and 3 scores vs. the Cards in Week 8, but all that good will was undone with 4 picks. Granted, that's still better than the SIX(!) that Purvis threw to the WFT a few weeks earlier. Still, the aerial attack is formidable with WRs Emanuel Lindsay, Melvin Douglas, Raijon Dukes, and Roland Donnelly all over 500 yards receiving already this year.
More than ever, it will come down to turnovers for the Eagles. In four human games, Philly has thrown a staggering 12 INTs. Coupled with a non-existent run game - last amongst users at 51.5 YPG (and a brutal 24 carries for 9 yards in their last two) - limiting mistakes will be essential to an Eagles win. The self-stopping force meets the very movable object when the Eagles O is lined up across from the Minnesota D. Excitement abound.
A loss dooms the Vikings, giving them 5 on the year. Without tiebreakers to the Bucs and the Rams already, it would require a miracle for the Vikings to make the playoffs. Meanwhile, an Eagles loss would bring them their 4th, same as Minnesota, and then down a tiebreaker. The path would require winning out from that point forward, and the Washington Football Team to drop games to both the Bucs and the Lions.
The stakes are high. The angst is palpable. The hatred is real. The Biggest Game of the Season Bowl should be a fun one.
Prediction: Vikings 35 - Eagles 31
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