If Carson Wentz were healthy, trying to beat the Eagles at home would be a much taller task. But with him out, the Vikings have the QB advantage. If Case Keenum can get enough time to throw and avoid making the big mistake, the Vikings will return home to play in the Super Bowl. Prediction: Vikings 17, Eagles 13.
The Vikings will beat the Eagles in the NFC Championship Game if ...
January 21, 2018 at 2:38AM
![New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) was surrounded by purple Vikings jerseys while throwing under pressure in the second quarter of Sunday's NFC divisional playoff game. ] CARLOS GONZALEZ Ô cgonzalez@startribune.com - Minneapolis, MN - January 14 2018, US Bank Stadium, NFL, NFC Divisional Playoff, Minnesota Vikings vs. New Orleans Saints ORG XMIT: MIN1801141805303765](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/GPDJGR7C4DS43SKBQETE7CSV2Y.jpg?&w=712)
Three big story lines
Keenum-Foles reunion
Who knew the 2015 St. Louis Rams had a Super Bowl quarterback in their midst? Case Keenum and Nick Foles were teammates on that team. It's the first conference title game matchup since the AFL-NFL merger to involve two QBs who didn't start for their teams in Week 1.
defense could win a title
The Vikings have the NFL's top-ranked defense in scoring and yards; the Eagles are fourth in both. Whichever team wins the game, on a field that still could be slippery near the sidelines, could be the one whose defense makes more big plays.
dealing with the home 'dogs
Eagles fans again will don thousands of German shepherd masks Sunday, where Philadelphia will be underdog for its second consecutive home playoff game.
two key matchups
vikings cb Xavier Rhodes vs. EAGLES WR ALSHON JEFFERY
When Jeffery was with the Bears, he became one of the first receivers Rhodes shadowed. On Sunday, the two former NFC North rivals could tangle again in Philadelphia, where Jeffery led the Eagles with nine receiving scores.
vikings g joe berger vs. eagles dt fletcher cox
An offensive line that allowed Case Keenum to be pressured on 40.2 percent of his dropbacks since the bye week, according to Pro Football Focus, will have its hands full Sunday. Berger will see plenty of Cox, the two-time Pro Bowl tackle who had 5½ sacks and plays a pivotal role in the team's ability to get pressure up the middle.
one stat that matters
24Eagles QB Nick Foles' passer rating when he has been pressured. Foles has a passer rating of 106.3 when he is kept clean.
The Vikings will win if…
• They are able to get to Foles and keep the Eagles from extending drives with their running game, while avoiding mistakes.
The eagles will win if…
• They can control the clock with their running game and pressure Keenum from a number of different angles.
Goessling's win probability
55%
Mike Conley was in Minneapolis, where he sounded the Gjallarhorn at the Vikings game, on Sunday during the robbery.
