Eagles-Vikings Scouting Report

Recent history: The Eagles defeated the Vikings in Minneapolis, in a wild-card playoff game on Jan. 4, 2009, 26-14. The Eagles lead the series, 12-11.

OFFENSE

Eagles

403.9 yards per game (1st)

Vikings

320.8 yards per game (23rd)

Quarterback

Eagles

Mike Vick's value to the offense is unquestioned. Twenty eight of the 35 offensive touchdowns they've scored when he's been on the field have had his signature on them. He passed or threw for 316 of their 344 second-half yards in Sunday's comeback win vs. the Giants.

Vikings

Since Brett Favre still has a pulse, he hasn't been ruled out of the game. But rookie Joe Webb is expected to get his first career start. Drafted as an "athlete,'' he's a dangerous runner. He rushed for 38 yards and a TD vs. the Bears. He's going to have his hands full with the Eagles' many blitzes.

Pick: Eagles

Running back

Eagles

LeSean McCoy's development as a blocker can't be underscored enough as teams attack Michael Vick with blitzes. He took out blitzing Deon Grant on Vick's game-tying TD pass to Jeremy Maclin. McCoy has averaged 8.2 yards per carry in the last two games, when eight of his 26 carries have been for 10 or more yards.

Vikings

Adrian Peterson is dealing with knee and ankle injuries that sidelined him Monday vs. Chicago. He's got just one 100-yard performance in his last seven starts. Rookie Toby Gerhart, who probably will start, is a strong, tackle-breaking runner with a fullback body, decent speed and good inside running vision.

Pick: Eagles

Receiving

Eagles

The Eagles used three-, four- or five-wide receiver sets on 42 of 59 offensive plays last week vs. a Giants team that blitzed on almost every passing down. DeSean Jackson is the 22.8-yard-per-catch game-breaker, but Jeremy Maclin has been targeted a team-high 106 times and has 64 catches and 10 TDs.

Vikings

Joe Webb relied heavily on TE Visanthe Shiancoe Monday after replacing Brett Favre. Targeted him nine times, completing six. Sidney Rice had a breakout season last year, but missed the first nine games this year with a hip injury. At 6-4, he's a big target who can pose problems for an undersized secondary like the Eagles'.

Pick: Eagles

Offensive line

Eagles

This unit is showing improvement, but still isn't on the same page when it comes to dealing with the blitz, as it showed Sunday for three quarters. RT Winston Justice, who missed the last two games with a knee injury, will be back in the lineup. Eagles' screen game has not been very effective the last 2 weeks.

Vikings

Their offensive line has been ravaged by injuries. The heart and soul of this unit, LG Steve Hutchinson, was put on IR with a broken thumb. RG Anthony Herrera tore his ACL last month. And C John Sullivan has been playing much of the year with a calf injury. Vikings are 19th in the league in sacks allowed per pass play.

Pick: Eagles

DEFENSE

Eagles

330.4 yards per game (13th)

Vikings

308.1 yards per game (6th)

Defensive line

Eagles

RE Trent Cole has gone sackless in five of the last six games, but has continued to play the run strong. DT Trevor Laws has given the Eagles a big boost as a nickel pass-rusher. He had a critical third-down sack in the fourth quarter Sunday that forced the punt that DeSean Jackson returned for the game-winning TD.

Vikings

Vikings, who had a league-best 48 sacks last season, have just 24 this season. DEs Jared Allen and Ray Edwards have combined for 16, but they have been getting little inside pressure. DT Kevin Williams, who had six sacks last season, has just one. And that came in Week 2.

Pick: Vikings

Linebacker

Eagles

Rookie Jamar Chaney turned in a solid performance in his first NFL start. He had a team-high 16 tackles as the Eagles held the Giants to 3.2 yards per carry. But Chaney, who is playing in both the base and nickel packages, still needs work on pass coverage. Vikings figure to go after him with TE Visanthe Shiancoe.

Vikings

This is a talented, experienced unit. All three starters have an excellent combination of size, strength and athleticism. MLB E.J. Henderson is a tough, instinctive player who has benefited from his two big, block-occupying DTs. WLB Ben Leber has good range, but can be exposed in space. Eagles will look to create some mismatches with him.

Pick: Vikings

Secondary

Eagles

It's been feast or famine on the back end most of the season. The Eagles lead the league in interceptions with 23, but also have given up a franchise-record 30 TD passes, including four last week. The season-ending loss of FS Nate Allen doesn't help, though replacement Kurt Coleman played well last week.

Vikings

This isn't a good week to be facing a passing game as lethal as the Eagles'. The Vikings finished Monday night's game with just two healthy safeties – Eric Frampton and Husain Abdullah. LCB Antoine Winfield is one of the league's top cover men, but the Vikes have had season-long problems on the other side.

Pick: Even

Special teams

Eagles

With DeSean Jackson still dealing with a foot injury, Eagles probably will have Jorrick Calvin handle the bulk of the PRs, in addition to his KR chores. He's 28th in the NFL in KRs with a 21.6 average. David Akers continues to have one of his finest seasons. He's converted 24 of his last 25 FG attempts.

Vikings

P Chris Kluwe is sixth in the league in net average (39.3) and has had just 29 of 72 attempts returned. PK Ryan Longwell has missed just one of 15 FG attempts. Vikings are 29th in the league in KO coverage. Ex-Eagle Lorenzo Booker has handled KRs the last two games (23.3).

Pick: Eagles

Domowitch's pick: Eagles 40, Vikings 20

KEY MATCHUPS

1. Eagles LT Jason Peters vs. Vikings RDT Jared Allen: The Vikings only have 24 sacks, but Allen's got 9 1/2 of them. Peters has been playing at a Pro Bowl level since returning from October knee surgery. Advantage: Eagles

2. Eagles WRs DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin vs. Vikings CBs Antoine Winfield and Asher Allen: Winfield is one of the league's top cover corners, but Allen's going to struggle on the other side with one of these dangerous receivers. Advantage: Eagles

3. Eagles MLB Jamar Chaney vs. Vikings TE Visanthe Shiancoe: Chaney still is a work in progress as far as his coverage skills. Shiancoe is a very athletic tight end. Advantage: Vikings

HOT AND NOT

Hot

Eagles: QB Mike Vick. Vick ran and threw for 372 yards and four touchdowns last week vs. Giants.

Vikings: WR Sidney Rice. Is averaging 16.5 yards per catch in five games since returning from hip injury.

Not

Eagles: CB Dimitri Patterson. Gave up three of the Giants' four touchdown passes last week.

Vikings: DT Kevin Williams. Williams, who had six sacks last season, has just one this year.