Carson Wentz has done an adequate job while filling in for starting QB J.J. McCarthy. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
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The Minnesota Vikings are still figuring out their identity as they approach their Week 7 game against the Philadelphia Eagles, and that’s not the position head coach Kevin O’Connell thought the team would be in with midseason just around the corner.
The idea was that second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy would be well on his way to establishing himself as one of the elite quarterbacks in the league. That idea was washed away after the second game of the season against the Atlanta Falcons. McCarthy had struggled for three quarters against the Chicago Bears before he played the role of hero in the fourth quarter and the Vikings earned a come-from-behind victory over their division rivals.
McCarthy had none of that magic against the Falcons and he simply took too long to get rid of the ball and the Falcons bounced him to the turf repeatedly, sacking him six times. McCarthy suffered a high ankle sprain and the position has been filled by Carson Wentz since that point.
Wentz has been adequate to good as the Vikings have won 2 of 3 games, and the question is who will fill the QB position against the defending Super Bowl champions. Prior to the team’s week off, O’Connell said that McCarthy would regain his position when he is able to participate in a full week of practice. That could play out this week, but the belief is that it may not happen until the following week when the Vikings head west four days later to face the up-and-down Los Angeles Chargers a week from Thursday.
If McCarthy is not in the lineup for that game, it would seem foolhardy that his return would come against the Detroit Lions. The Vikings have lost five straight games to the NFC North’s best team, and Dan Campbell’s team wants to show off its dominance against division opponents. If the Falcons were too furious for McCarthy, playing against the Lions would be akin to battling some kind of indoor tornado.
Figuring out the quarterback starter is just one of the key decisions that O’Connell has to make this week. The Vikings are hoping to get healthy against the Eagles as players like linebacker Blake Cashman and right tackle Brian O’Neill seem likely to return. Those players will help solidify the team, but when it comes to big plays, linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel is needed.
The former Dolphin had two interceptions that he had returned for touchdowns by this time a year ago, and defensive coordinator Brian Flores needs Van Ginkel back in the lineup. He has rare instincts for the position and understands the opponent’s game plan and tendencies better than most linebackers. He can change the rhythm of any game with a single play, and that is just what is needed from a defense that has been somewhat vulnerable against the run. The Vikings rank 24th in that area as they allow 132.2 rushing yards per game.
Barkley and Hurts have been ordinary
After dominating in 2024, Eagles RB Saquon Barkley has been ordinary this season. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
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It would seem Saquon Barkley would be able to take advantage of that vulnerability, but he is not the dominant running back who ran for 2,005 yards and averaged 5.8 yards per carry last year. Barkley has gained just 325 yards and is averaging 3.4 yards per attempt this season.
The Vikings are getting the Eagles at the right time. Suddenly, this team has lost two games in a row. They let a home game slip through their grasp against the Denver Broncos and got punished by an inspired New York Giants team.
Jalen Hurts has decent numbers – 117 of 172 passes for 1,172 yards with 8 TD passes and 1 interception – but he is not the same quarterback he was last year. He is missing open receivers at critical moments and that could be an issue Sunday at U.S. Bank Stadium.
The Eagles also have a slew of injuries and the Vikings must take advantage of them. DT Jalen Carter (heel), CB Quinyon Mitchell (hamstring), edge rusher Nolan Smith (triceps) and Ogbo Okoronkwo (triceps) are all question marks at this point.
Carter is a game-changing player and the Eagles have little depth behind him. If Mitchell can’t play, the Eagles will likely start Kelee Ringo and Adoree Jackson at cornerback.
That’s great news for Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison and bad news for Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio.
This looked like a game that was clearly in the “L” column at the start of the season because the Eagles have been able to assert their will against the Vikings on a regular basis.
The Vikings should have a chance against an opponent suddenly has vulnerabilities and injury problems.
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