PLAYER NOTES
–RB Dalvin Cook is still working his way back from the hamstring injury that caused him to miss Week 3. Cook was held out of Wednesday’s practice as Minnesota returned after playing on Thursday last week. Cook admitted on Monday that he isn’t 100 percent in his recovery after he was limited to 18 snaps during the loss on Thursday.
–CB Trae Waynes was held out of practice for the Vikings on Wednesday after he sustained a concussion in last week’s game. Waynes played just 24 snaps in the game.
–NT Linval Joseph was added to the injury report on Wednesday with a shoulder injury. Joseph was limited in Wednesday’s practice. He played 89 percent of the snaps in last week’s game.
–CB/RS Marcus Sherels was limited in Wednesday’s practice as he deals with a ribs injury. Sherels has missed the past two games with the injury.
–DE Tashawn Bower was limited in practice on Wednesday with an ankle injury. Bower saw 25 percent of the snaps in last week’s game with Minnesota playing without Everson Griffen.
–DT Tom Johnson, who missed last week’s game with an ankle injury, was a full participant in practice on Wednesday as Minnesota started preparation for Sunday’s game against Philadelphia.
–LS Kevin McDermott was a full participant in Wednesday’s practice. McDermott lost part of his finger in last week’s game but returned to the game after receiving medical attention.
–LB Eric Kendricks was listed as a full participant in Wednesday’s practice with an elbow injury.
PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: QB Kirk Cousins. Why not put the spotlight on the player representing the biggest change from last year’s NFC Championship Game for the Vikings. After losing in the NFC title game last year to Philadelphia, Minnesota went all-in on Cousins as the player to help them overcome the Eagles. Cousins has certainly lived up to his end of the $84 million guaranteed contract. He starts the week third in the NFL in passing yards and he’s one of four quarterbacks (Drew Brees, Jared Goff, Matt Ryan are the others) to rank in the top 10 in completion percentage, passing yards and passing touchdowns.
GAME PLAN: In previous years, the game plan for the Vikings might not have changed too much from game to game. Minnesota has always wanted to run the ball on offense, control the clock and play stifling defense. The Vikings haven’t been able to establish that identity this season and maybe doesn’t want be the same team from year’s past with the way Cousins is throwing the ball.
Minnesota should look for more balance and try to get the running game going with Dalvin Cook and Latavius Murray. But it appears that Cousins and the passing game is option No. 1 these days. Look for the Vikings to run a bit more against the Eagles, but Philadelphia has the league’s top run defense coming into Week 5. Instead, Cousins will look to receivers Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen to make big plays and try and overcome the Eagles’ offense with Carson Wentz.
One reason Minnesota has resorted to the pass so much is because the defense hasn’t been able to stop opponents like last season, when the Vikings owned the league’s top defense. Instead, it’s been Cousins playing in shootouts to keep up with opponents. Minnesota needs to get back to its complement of pass rush and solid coverage. Cornerback Xavier Rhodes should be matched up with Alshon Jeffery in coverage. Danielle Hunter and Sheldon Richardson should try and pressure Wentz. The Eagles have allowed 14 sacks this season, tied for the sixth-highest total in the NFL.
MATCHUPS TO WATCH
–Vikings S Harrison Smith vs. Eagles QB Carson Wentz. Smith is the leader of Minnesota’s defense and he helps make up for mistakes of others. But, in last year’s NFC Championship Game, quarterback Nick Foles and the Eagles took advantage of rare mistakes by Smith. Smith could draw some of tight end Zach Ertz in coverage and will help try and slow Philadelphia’s running game. Smith has to watch Wentz and be in better positions than he was last year.
–Vikings DE Danielle Hunter vs. Eagles LT Jason Peters. This should be a fun matchup of the emerging Hunter vs. the two-time All-Pro Peters. Everson Griffen would usually be matched up with Peters rushing Wentz’s blind side, but Hunter has shifted to right end with Griffen away from the team. Hunter is one of two players along with Chicago’s Khalil Mack to register at least one sack in each game this season. He had a sack in the NFC Championship Game, but getting past Peters – who didn’t play in the NFC title game – is a tough task.
