PEDERSON SHOWS A GAMBLER'S TOUCH
New Eagles coach Doug Pederson made two decisions that paid off in the first half. When Harrison Smith roughed kicker Caleb Sturgis on an extra point, Pederson decided to go for two from the 1-yard line, and Carson Wentz ran it in. And on fourth-and-2 from the Vikings 44 shortly before halftime, the Eagles went for it, again succeeding on a Wentz run that led to a field goal.
MANO-A-MANO
DE Brian Robison vs. Eagles RT Halapoulivaati Vaitai
WHO WON?
Carson Wentz didn't play very well, but it wasn't because of the Vikings rush. Vaitai's second start went much better than his first, and Robison had only two tackles.
PLAY OF THE GAME
OMINOUS EARLY SIGN
The Vikings were in position for an early touchdown after Andrew Sendejo's interception return to the 2, but on third-and-goal from the 6, Sam Bradford (8), pressured by Brandon Graham (55), tried to force a pass to Adam Thielen (19), who was covered by Nolan Carroll (22) and Rodney McLeod (23). McLeod came away with the first of four Vikings turnovers.
THE QUOTE
"Our job is to defend that end zone. We did that."
— McLeod
