PHILADELPHIA – The Vikings had as many defensive ends inactive as the only two they had in uniform for Sunday's 23-21 win over the Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field.
"So what?" said Danielle Hunter. "Got to play ball, man. Suck it up."
With second-team All-Pro Everson Griffen still dealing with mental health issues and Tashawn Bower out because of a sprained ankle, the Vikings were down to just Hunter and Stephen Weatherly. Rookie defensive tackle Jalyn Holmes played the first nine snaps of his NFL career at end Sunday, but other than that, it was up to Hunter and Weatherly to shoulder almost the entire workload.
The Eagles had 55 offensive plays, not counting penalties. According to Pro Football Focus, Hunter played 55 snaps, while Weatherly played 54.
Both had a pivotal sack. Hunter had one in the red zone to help prevent a touchdown, while Weatherly had the strip sack that broke a 3-3 tie by sending Linval Joseph en route to perhaps the league's fastest ever 64-yard touchdown by a 329-pound man. Hunter and Khalil Mack of the Bears are the only two players to have a sack in every game this season.
"We're playing for Everson, we're playing for each other," Hunter said. "We fight for each other in here. We had a speech this week from somebody saying in order to be a champion you have to go through a lot of pain. That motivated me a lot. Stephen, too, I think."
It helps that Weatherly and Hunter are 24 and in great shape. It also helped that the Eagles started with three three-and-outs in their first five possessions, including two straight to open the game, and were being dominated in time of possession, 19:33-10:27, while trailing 17-3 at halftime.
"Those early three-and-outs set the tone for the game," Weatherly said. "That was more time on the bench resting while our offense was driving the ball."
