Vikings vs Eagles Odds, Picks, and TNF Predictions: Minnesota Passes to Hang With Philly in Prime Time

Neither the Minnesota Vikings nor the Philadelphia Eagles inspired much confidence from the betting community with their Week 1 performance, but despite some injury concerns, the Eagles sit as sizable home favorites on the NFL odds board ahead of their matchup tonight with Kirk Cousins and the Vikings. 

Many are down on the Vikes after a loss to Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but is backing Cousins — on prime time in Week 2 — the right move tonight, considering the possible advantage he may have with some Philadelphia injuries?

Here are my free NFL picks, breaking down the TNF odds for Vikings vs. Eagles on September 14. Also, be sure to check our TNF prop picks and Jalen Hurts player prop spotlight before placing your bets!

Vikings vs Eagles odds

Vikings vs Eagles predictions

It’s a short week and I’m getting on that Minnesota +7 before it turns to +6.5.

Both clubs looked unimpressive in Week 1, with the Eagles holding on for dear life after trying to lose to the Patriots, while the Vikings lost as a decent home fave to Baker Mayfield and the Bucs.

Although the Eagles got the only win of the two clubs, the Vikings likely deserved better as they outgained the Bucs substantially, gaining 127 more yards than Tampa on five fewer plays. The passing game looks better than 2022, as Jordan Addison showed he can play with the big boys, Justin Jefferson might be unstoppable, and TJ Hockenson could lead all tight ends in receptions by the end of the year. It’s an elite pass-catching group that faces a defense that just allowed Mac Jones to throw for the fourth-most yards and the most completions in Week 1.

The Eagles have a lot of moving pieces to their defense, with five new starters and three new coaches. That’s what happens when you win, but Sean Desai’s defense didn’t look elite in Week 1 and with two starting DBs questionable on the short week, the Minnesota passing game might have an even better matchup on Thursday.

Starting corner James Bradberry suffered a concussion on Sunday and never returned. It’s tough to clear protocol on the short week, leaving Philly with Josh Jobe or rookie Kelee Ringo. Darius Slay is still on the other side but Kevin O’Connell is a solid offensive mind that will find the mismatch. 

Making things worse, starting safety Reed Blankenship is out with a rib injury. Both DBs saw over 70 snaps on defense last week and their loss on the short week puts this defense in an early hole vs. the Minnesota passing attack. 

The spread was as high as 8, but as of Tuesday all the 7.5s had dried up — and some 6.5s are starting to pop up. I’m on the Vikes at +7 on TNF. Even if the Minnesota defense takes a step back from last week where it was an average unit, the Vikings offense can move the ball, leaving a big window for a backdoor if needed. 

If you’re one of those bettors who reads too much into Kirk Cousin’s prime-time history, you might be surprised that he's 8-8 ATS in prime-time games as a member of the Vikings. 

If you're in the U.S. and have access to a FanDuel account, they're offering a 50% boost on any one bet for the TNF game (including an SGP). That would move the -110 line to +136 — a significant change. 

My best bet: Vikings +7 (-110 at FanDuel | +136 with 50% boost)

Vikings vs Eagles same-game parlay

Vikings +7.5

T.J. Hockenson Over 4.5 receptions

Jalen Hurts Over 46.5 rushing yards

+600 at bet365

There are no flat numbers at bet365 for SGPs so I'm paying a little more for the hook here in a game that could certainly close at 6.5. 

Hockenson caught eight of his nine targets last week and led all TEs in receptions by two. He's a massive part of this offense and is benefiting from a full offseason with the offense. 

Jalen Hurts' rushing total gives us a little boost here, but this is also a prop that correlates with trailing as well so a nice piece to build the odds. He took a lot of the blame for a poor outing including his late fumble but should be back for prime time and show off those wheels. This total closed at 45.5 last week as well. 

Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.

Vikings vs Eagles spread and Over/Under analysis

The Eagles sat as 6.5-point favorites for their Week 2 matchup with the Vikings in late August, then hit -7 heading into last week, then reopened at -7.5 before settling back down to a 7-point home favorite as of Tuesday morning. 

The total was at 47.5 on the look-ahead and has hit as high as 48.5 but is starting to see a little more money on the Under, moving it 48.

There are a few key pieces missing from the Philly secondary: Bradberry (played the second-most snaps of that secondary) exited Week 1 with a concussion and never returned to the game. He's out, as is starting safety Reed Blankenship (ribs), and for good measure, RB Kenneth Gainwell is also out with a rib injury.

The injuries to two secondary starters are significant this week vs. the Vikings, as the 20-17 loss to the Bucs might be a bit misleading. Minnesota outgained the Buccaneers by 2.3 yards per play last week and its 7.8 yards per pass attempt was a Top-5 number in Week 1. Minnesota lost that game thanks to three turnovers, but the offense produced and might have an edge this week if the Eagles can’t get healthy in the secondary.

This is also a Philly defense with five new starters and three new coaches, including DC Sean Desai. Mac Jones went 35-for-54 for 300-plus yards and three passing TDs vs. this Eagles defense and now they have to contain a passing attack with Jefferson (150 yards), Addison (61 yards and a score), and Hockenson (eight catches on nine targets). It’s understandable why the Eagles are moving from -7.5 to -7 and even -6.5 in some places.

If you like the Vikings like I do this week, this is likely a case of bet now rather than later, because if the Eagles are down two starters in the secondary, this could close at -6.5. 

The Vikings enter the short week relatively healthy. The defense was average, holding Mayfield to three completions on 3-for-10 passing over the first six TB possessions. Outside of the two Tampa TD drives, the Vikings held the Bucs to 121 yards on 44 plays (10 possessions) for 2.75 yards per play. 

I still think there is something to worry about with this Minnesota secondary due to its inexperience and change of philosophy with a new DC in Brian Flores, but it was a competent unit on Sunday that also held the Bucs to 73 yards on 33 carries. Bettors are hitting the Vikes on the +7.5 because of the offensive matchup they have but the defense passed an early test — albeit vs. Mayfield. 

If you’re into trends, away teams went 10-6 SU and 12-4 ATS in Week 1. Away dogs went 8-3 ATS. The Under was also cashing early and often last week as Week 1 totals went 12-4 to the Under.

Vikings vs Eagles betting trend to know

The Philadelphia Eagles have scored last in 9 of their last 20 games (-7.65 units / -25% ROI). Find more NFL betting trends for Vikings vs. Eagles.

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