Eagles’ stifling defense flusters Bradford, Vikings

And when his team could have used a play, he had nothing up his sleeves.

The suffocating defeat in Philadelphia heightened the various ways in which Minnesota’s 5-0 start might still be compromised, and you can’t expect that defense to be infallible each week. The Eagles would then proceed to lose their next two games before beating the Vikings to move to 4-2. That kick return, and then anytime – I mean you guys see it – anytime you can get the ball in his hands, he’s dynamic. “I thought we played…embarrassing is the word, in at least two of the phases”.

Rodney McLeod, who racked up his first sack as well as an interception and a forced fumble, echoed Cox’s sentiments.

That play really proved to be the difference on Sunday.

An even bigger concern for the Vikings was their four turnovers, a part of the game they have controlled all season. The pressure prohibited Bradford from operating as cleanly as he had in his four previous starts, plus the Vikings ordinarily-accurate passer missed a few throws he typically makes, according to Zimmer. Bradford and the offense were a clear level below the Philadelphia defense, demonstrated by the Vikings failing to find the end zone until 34 seconds were left in the game.

Not only did a false start (on rookie Halapoulivaati Vaitai) help lead to an Eagles three-and-out to start the game, but a running into the kicker flag on a Vikings punt gave them the ball back, averting a three-and-out of their own.

Landon Collins returned his first of two picks 44 yards for a second-quarter touchdown, and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie also had two interceptions.

The Vikings defense did a great job of taking the ball away, doing so four times.

Last week in Washington, using just four didn’t work and the Birds didn’t get a single sack on Kirk Cousins.

Like the Eagles, the G-Men picked up a sputtering offense with tenacious “D.’ Landon Collins had a pair of picks, Janoris Jenkins continued supplying sticky coverage and NY took advantage of the Rams” offensive ineptitude to climb above.500 and remain viable in the crowded NFC East. “There was a bad taste in our mouths”.

Credit defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz for deciding to blitz more in this game, which was effective in making Bradford uncomfortable in the pocket. They were bad since. If there was a kitchen sink available, he would’ve sent that in what was nothing short of an all-out blitzkrieg. “And so we brought some of that pressure”. We capitalized on it. It wasn’t particularly close, as the Eagles defense devoured the Vikings offense. Michael Crabtree caught eight passes for 96 yards and a touchdown from Derek Carr, Sebastian Janikowski kicked four field goals, and the Raiders played the kind of defense they’ve been looking for all season.

Andy Dalton threw touchdown passes to AJ Green and Brandon LaFell for the Bengals, while Jeremy Hill ran for 168 yards and a score on only nine carries.

“It was obviously good to see those guys again”, Bradford said.

“We feel like we’re the best defense in the league”, Jenkins said.

Bradford was fooled. So were his blockers.

First he had Wentz try to get the Vikings to jump offsides with a hard count.

“Everyone prepares like they’re going to be a starter, and I think that’s shown since guys have gotten thrown in there”, Sirles said, adding: “Not exactly what you’d put together in May, but everyone’s here working, just trying to get better”.

“Pride … call it what you want, we knew we had to play well today”, Hicks said.

“For me, I’m happy that we won the game and that this is a little bit to go along with it”, Vinatieri said. “The safety beat the tackle one time and beat the back a couple times”. That’s a luxury other undeserving coaches haven’t been afford by apparently less patient owners than Stan Kroenke, and we wonder if Kroenke won’t soon interject when it comes to that rookie QB who’s yet to get a chance, also known as Fisher’s ace in the hole.