Guest Vitamin X Report post Posted September 20, 2004 Two of the best quarterback-receiver duos in the NFL, and probably the two most exciting, will be featured in prime time when the Philadelphia Eagles square off against the Minnesota Vikings. This matchup gets an even bigger spotlight considering both tandems -- Philadelphia's Donovan McNabb and Terrell Owens as well as Minnesota's Daunte Culpepper and Randy Moss -- had exceptional performances to open the season. McNabb found his new favorite target three times for touchdowns, putting Owens two TD receptions shy of what all of Philadelphia's receivers had last season. ``This is what I expected. This is why I lobbied to get here,'' Owens said. ``I'm loving it.'' McNabb finished 26-of-36 for 330 yards with four touchdowns and no interceptions, hooking up with Owens eight times for 68 yards in a 31-17 victory over the New York Giants. ``He's proven what he can do over and over,'' Eagles coach Andy Reid said of Owens. ``It's just a matter of he and the quarterback being on the same page and it was good to see they were.'' Culpepper was named the NFC's offensive player of the week after completing 17 of 23 passes for 242 yards and a career-high five TDs in Minnesota's 35-17 win over Dallas. Those big numbers came against a Cowboys team that finished 2003 with the league's top-rated defense. ``He's playing at a level that no one can match right now,'' Vikings running back Onterrio Smith said. Moss had only 27 yards on four catches, but two of those went for touchdowns and he threw a reverse pass for 37 yards. The Pro Bowl wideout also had some key blocks downfield and drew two pass interference penalties, the first of which was an end-zone call that set up his first TD. ``He's definitely poised to have his best year for the simple fact that he's fully focused,'' Culpepper said of Moss, who has 10 touchdown catches in eight career Monday night games. While Philadelphia's 454 total yards of offense were the most in the NFL in Week 1, Minnesota was not far behind with 415. A big key for both teams will be how their cornerbacks do under the pressure of trying to limit these high-powered passing attacks. Minnesota feels confident with starting corners Antoine Winfield and Brian Williams, even though Dallas receivers Keyshawn Johnson, Antonio Bryant and Terry Glenn combined for 307 yards receiving last week. However, cornerback Ken Irvin suffered a season-ending Achilles' injury during warmups before the game, leaving second-year players Rhett Nelson and Rushen Jones as the only backups. The Vikings signed veteran corners Terrance Shaw and Ralph Brown on Tuesday to provide the defensive backfield with more stability. ``It's going to be tough,'' Winfield said. ``It's taken me a while to learn this system. To come in, your head's going to be spinning. .. Hopefully they'll step up and get the job done.'' Philadelphia is counting on third-year cornerbacks Lito Sheppard and Sheldon Brown, who are taking over for departed Pro Bowlers Troy Vincent and Bobby Taylor. With the pass rush consistently pressuring Giants quarterbacks last week -- the Eagles had five sacks -- Sheppard and Brown were able to consistently lock up New York's receivers. ``Lito and Sheldon I thought played well, they played tough,'' Reid said. ``They tackled well. They were aggressive in pass defending and really hung with their receivers quite well.'' This oughta be a fun fucking game. I think Philly will win it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sass 0 Report post Posted September 20, 2004 Minnesota has all of the tools to win it. Smith is going to run roughshod over the Eagles piss poor O line. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Slayer 0 Report post Posted September 20, 2004 I'm gonna be glued to the TV for this game, so better get in all my discussion now 1. Eagles run D sucks. Good for Minnesota's running game, but 2. Vikings D, especially the secondary which last week didn't look like the same secondary that forced the most INTs in the league last year, is still questionable to me, so I can see the McNabb-Owens connection burning the Vikings for yardage, so the word "shootout" is appropriate for this game Go Vikings Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vern Gagne 0 Report post Posted September 20, 2004 Vikings 30 Eagles 27. OT. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest El Satanico Report post Posted September 20, 2004 10-7 final score, 7 turnovers, 34 penalties and everyone except Eagles and Vikings fans will fall asleep. Tueday morning everyone will be askng "what the hell happened to that game". Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vern Gagne 0 Report post Posted September 20, 2004 It does seem the games everyone thinks will be good turn out to be horrible. Either poorly played, or one sided. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
razazteca 0 Report post Posted September 20, 2004 10-7 final score, 7 turnovers, 34 penalties and everyone except Eagles and Vikings fans will fall asleep. Tueday morning everyone will be askng "what the hell happened to that game". Like how did the Bears beat the Packers? I don't think that will happen tonight as neither team have a defense to worry about. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Slayer 0 Report post Posted September 21, 2004 I'm still not sure what to think about the kicker who knocked the Vikings out of the SB in '98 playing for them now Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Nanks Report post Posted September 21, 2004 Having only recently taught myself the basics of the sport there are still some things I'm unsure of, I figure this is as good a place as any to bring one up. Just now, when Minnesota punted, Bennett only kicked it 39 yards. I know for a fact that he could very comfortably boot that tiny ball about 70 yards, why doesn't he?? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lightning Flik 0 Report post Posted September 21, 2004 Either poorly played, or one sided. So far, I'm calling this game poorly played. Fumbles a plenty, low scoring and just bad play calling. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EVIL~! alkeiper 0 Report post Posted September 21, 2004 My instinct would say Hang Time. This allows the defense time to get down the field and prevent a large gain of yardage. I'm not watching though, so I could be wrong. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Slayer 0 Report post Posted September 21, 2004 Fuck fuck shit That Culpepper fumble near the end zone is gonna kill us, I can just see it Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
razazteca 0 Report post Posted September 21, 2004 17-6 Eagles McNabb to LJ Smith for TD and a 20 yard run by McNabb for TD. The Vikings made short FGs and fumbled on the redzone. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Paul Stanley 0 Report post Posted September 21, 2004 Anderson misses the FG, this game has been one sided. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Slayer 0 Report post Posted September 21, 2004 TO TD, game practically over All those offensive weapons against a not-that-great defense, and our only points come from our kicker Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kahran Ramsus 0 Report post Posted September 21, 2004 That TO TD put the exclamation point on it. The Vikes are done. And in first place...the Detroit Lions. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MarvinisaLunatic 0 Report post Posted September 21, 2004 That TD shouldn't have counted, but its too late now. As a plus though, that TD helps one of my fantasy teams as the other team had the Vikes Defense.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kahran Ramsus 0 Report post Posted September 21, 2004 It shouldn't have counted I agree. The Vikes got screwed, but it is Tice's own fault for not challenging it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
therealworldschampion 0 Report post Posted September 21, 2004 Well no one ever questioned Tice for being smart Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
therealworldschampion 0 Report post Posted September 21, 2004 And you should probably ignore my posts for being a drunk Eagles fan right now Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
therealworldschampion 0 Report post Posted September 21, 2004 Man I had McNabb and LJ Smith vs. the other guy who had Culpepper tonight Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Slayer 0 Report post Posted September 21, 2004 Key things to the game so far were Daunte's fumble and the no-challenge on the TO TD... TD Vikings and now down 8 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
therealworldschampion 0 Report post Posted September 21, 2004 They better get this onside kick because I don't trust Lito and Sheldon here Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
therealworldschampion 0 Report post Posted September 21, 2004 JR Reed is showing me something here, he's very effective as a returner Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Slayer 0 Report post Posted September 21, 2004 Also, the refs were really flaghappy tonight Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kahran Ramsus 0 Report post Posted September 21, 2004 Jeez, the Vikes coverage team was offside and they still allowed a huge runback. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
therealworldschampion 0 Report post Posted September 21, 2004 Detroit worries the hell out of me next week, due to the Monday Night letdown and Mariucci coaching the Lions. *Funny because until this week, I thought they were playing Chicago in Week 3 and Detroit in Week 4. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kahran Ramsus 0 Report post Posted September 21, 2004 And the Lions are alone in first place! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
therealworldschampion 0 Report post Posted September 21, 2004 Haha man who would've thought the DETROIT LIONS would be alone in first place? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Slayer 0 Report post Posted September 21, 2004 Better the Lions than Packers, sez I Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
