PHILADELPHIA — It might as well be the 1970s, when the Purple People Eaters played, or the 1990s, when Buddy Ryan’s Eagles were one of the most feared units in the league: Defense is still winning championships.
Amid an era of the spread offense and no touching receivers downfield, the 2018 NFC Championship has brought together the top-seeded Eagles against the second-seeded Vikings, two of the best defenses in the NFL.
Because of the tenacity of their defenses, two backup quarterbacks are facing each other with the winner advancing to Super Bowl LII in Minneapolis. It’s why you expect this to be a physical showdown of force, muscle and determination.
“It’s going to come down to the tales of two defenses,” Vikings defensive end Everson Griffen said. “It’s going to be fun. This is my first time being in this position. So I’m going to go out there and give it all I got to help my team win.”
It will be difficult to match last weekend’s divisional thriller, in which wide receiver Stefon Diggs scored on a 61-yard catch-and-run on the final play to give the Vikings a 29-24 victory over the Saints at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Vikings needed a couple of days to get back to reality after that.
“I think our players are smart enough to understand what’s going on,” Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer said, regarding any chance of a hangover.
At stake is not only the franchise’s fifth ever Super Bowl berth and first since 1976, but also the chance to be the first team to play a Super Bowl in its home stadium. They’ll get no support from the Eagles, who are also looking for the franchise’s first Super Bowl trophy after two failed previous trips.
If either team is able to establish a running game early, it will be a major advantage. But figure this one to be settled by special teams. The Saints managed to block a punt in the divisional game against the Vikings, something the Eagles are certain to try to replicate.
Both quarterbacks have a chance to forge their own legacy and become more than just a footnote. That would be storybook for both Case Keenum and Nick Foles.
Marquee Matchup
Vikings receiver Stefon Diggs vs. Eagles cornerback Jalen Mills
Diggs has gained rock-star status after his Minneapolis Miracle catch last week and will be looking to make another statement in the NFC Championship. He isn’t afraid of the big moment. Mills primarily lines up at left cornerback, but figures to shadow Diggs for much of the contest, though that might need to be more of a team effort. Before his game-breaking deep out on the final play, Diggs was shredding the Saints with crossing patterns underneath the zone. Look for more of the same early against Philadelphia.
“Every week is an opportunity to hit some things,” Diggs said. “You want to go in with the mindset that good things are going to happen when they’re supposed to. You’ve got to trust your coaches and trust the guys around you. I always think we have a chance.”
Four Downs
Battle of the backups: NFL research suggests the last time the conference championship featured two quarterbacks who weren’t their team’s respective Week 1 starter was at least the 1970s. Neither should have stage fright on Sunday, given Case Keenum has played solidly for the Vikings and Eagles quarterback Nick Foles has made enough plays to get his team this far. One will continue his magic carpet ride in Minneapolis. The other will probably commit more turnovers than he ever imagined and end the year on a downer.
Old school vs. new school: The Eagles reliance on analytics-based research in their in-game decision-making could be the wave of the future in a copycat league. Coach Doug Pederson has embraced football version of “Moneyball,” and Vikings coach Mike Zimmer screams of old-school values. The Vikings like to beat people by smacking them in the mouth and dominating with speed and power.
“Typically, when you’re good defensively, you’re going to stay in the ball game,” Zimmer said. “Then you have a chance to win them at the end.”
Act like you’ve been there before: The Vikings have been reminded of their most recent trip to Philadelphia early in the 2016 season. The Vikings were 5-0 when they came to the Lincoln Financial Field and lost 21-10.
“I feel like we didn’t execute the best way we could,” Diggs said. “We all could have played better. I’m looking forward to the task at hand.”
Ground and pound: The Eagles have the No. 1 rushing defense, and the Vikings are second. That suggests it will be difficult for either team to run the ball, which could well be the case. But figure one team to gather enough yardage on the ground to impact the game. Latavius Murray led the Vikings with 842 yards rushing this season, and LeGarrette Blount topped the Eagles with 766.
“They’re a solid scheme,” Vikings offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur said. “They don’t give up many big plays.”
Willis’ Winner
The Vikings’ big-play ability will be the difference in this game. Look for Stefon Diggs to become a factor, especially late in the game.
Vikings 24, Eagles 21