Week 2: Vikings vs. Eagles
Pick: Vikings +3.5
This is Preseason Prodigy, a newsletter.
This weekend, I met this girl. Stone cold sober she predicted that the Jets would win this week. What a fucking pick. After week’s one loss I thought about just forgetting all I know about football and give you some bullshit pick about loving Dolphins, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it.
Let’s get into Vikings vs. Eagles.
The Vikings beat the Packers in week 1. I’ll chalk that up to Rodgers’ lack of time with their limited receiving corps and some start of the season woes. The Eagles got a bit close with the Lions in their 38-35 win but had a good handle most of the game.
First round pick S Lewis Cine is coming off a knee contusion and will be active for the game. Despite him being in a substitute role, reports indicate he’ll be out there for special teams play and could see his first NFL snaps. He’s not going to be a big factor in this game, but he was dominant at Georgia and will be a fun guy to look for out there tonight.
Kirk Cousins is somewhat of a journeyman but he’s found himself a home in Minnesota and he’s got a good crew of guys around him offensively. He continues to be on/off but when he’s going against middle of the pack teams, he typically performs really well. That said, the dude is trash when the Monday night lights come on.
First year head coach Mike O’Connell was the Rams OC for the past two years and he comes at a good time. Compared to Eagles HC Nick Siriani, I love him like a fat kid loves cake. The defense has Danielle Hunter and Za’Darious Smith as some pash rush come ups, both recorded a sack last week and messed up Rodgers’ rhythm a good bit. Hurts is mobile and it will fun to watch that matchup tonight.
If the Vikings can stay with the Eagles early and establish a solid run game, it should ease the pressure and let Cousins breathe a bit. It should be a close game but I’m rooting for O’Connell and I think the Vikings D will step up.
I’m playing my roommate Brock in fantasy this week and I have him in my crosshairs. Timmy D style. Hurts (his final player) needs 38 points.. he won’t touch his projected 25. Vikings it is.
Pick: Vikings to cover an alt spread of +3.5.