The 2023 NFL season began last Thursday with the Detroit Lions and Kansas City Chiefs, but tonight’s game between the Minnesota Vikings and Philadelphia Eagles kicks off the league’s broadcast schedule on Amazon Prime Video. The matchup looks interesting because it features the reigning NFC champion taking on a playoff squad from the previous season. The Eagles are working to fix their offense after Jalen Hurts and company managed just 251 yards in a victory over the New England Patriots, the team’s lowest total since 2021, while Kirk Cousins and Justin Jefferson are trying to help the Vikings recapture the magic that resulted in their breakout season in 2022.
Eagles 27, Vikings 21, and K.J. Osborn is wide open for Kirk Cousins to reduce the difference.
Midway through the fourth quarter, the Vikings scored a touchdown on a nine-play, 86-yard drive to raise the score to 27-21. Although Justin Jefferson had three catches throughout the drive, Kirk Cousins found K.J. Osborn in the end zone when he was wide open to score the game’s only touchdown.
Olisaemeka Udoh of the Vikings was carried off the field.
Olisaemeka After getting hurt on a crucial Vikings third-down convert, Udoh needed help from the cart to leave the field. Udoh was caught in a bull rush as he fell awkwardly to the ground.
He was filling in for starting left tackle Christian Darrisaw when David Quessenberry, a player in his sixth season and a former Buffalo Bill, took Udoh’s place.
Fourth quarter begins with Eagles in (ground) command.
Eagles lead the Vikings 14 to 27, but Jordan Addison brings them back.
The Vikings and Kirk Cousins turned to the rookie to make a play when they were at their worst. They received a prize.
In a third-and-5 situation, a 20-point deficit, and no time left, Cousins threw a pass to Jordan Addison, the 23rd pick overall in the 2023 draft, downfield.
DeVonta Smith’s big touchdown from the previous series was appropriately answered by Addison, who snuck past the defense and strutted into the end zone. The Vikings were still behind 27-14. — C. Bumbaca
