Big plays could be at a premium at noon Sunday against the defending champs.
In a preview of Week 7 games shared Thursday by analytics website Pro Football Focus, a few key statistics pertaining to Minnesota's matchup at home against Philadelphia (4-2) were pulled into view.
Firstly, the Eagles defense, coordinated by Vic Fangio, is careful not to allow chunk passes. Since 2024, Vangio's unit has permitted explosives (20-plus yards) on just 10.6 percent of pass plays. That's the lowest rate in the league – and a hurdle for the Vikings (3-2) and their offensive playmakers to overcome.
Of course, the availability of second-year corner Quinyon Mitchell factors into that dilemma. Mitchell exited Thursday Night Football last week with a hamstring injury and was limited at practice Wednesday.
He's a candidate to shadow Justin Jefferson if Vangio so chooses.
Mitchell, the 22nd overall draft pick in 2024, has played 99.1 percent of his snaps on the perimeter (Jefferson has aligned wide on 82.5% of his snaps versus 14.2 in the slot) and is second among NFL cornerbacks with a 48.6% completion rate allowed as the nearest defender, according to Next Gen Stats. Mitchell also ranks in the Top 10 in passes defended, passer rating against and yards per target allowed.
Even if the Eagles hold Jefferson under the 11 catches (on 14 targets) for 159 yards he recorded in the 2023 meeting, they'll have to contend with Jordan Addison and a bevy of other Minnesota playmakers.