Thursday Night Football odds, spread, line: Vikings vs. Eagles prediction, NFL picks from expert on 56-31 run
On Thursday Night Football, the Minnesota Vikings will try to bounce back from a disappointing Week 1 loss. The Vikings will visit the reigning NFC champion Philadelphia Eagles in a nationally-televised clash to begin Week 2. Minnesota finished 13-4 in the 2022 regular season, though the Vikings lost in Philadelphia and will try to avenge that defeat. The Eagles began the 2023 campaign with a 25-20 road win over the New England Patriots and won seven of nine home games during the 2022 regular season.
Kickoff is at 8:15 p.m. ET in Philadelphia. The SportsLine Consensus lists Philadelphia as a six-point favorite, while the over/under, or total number of points Vegas thinks will be scored, is 49 in the latest Vikings vs. Eagles odds. Before making any Eagles vs. Vikings picks or NFL predictions, be sure to see what SportsLine's resident Vikings expert, R.J. White, has to say, considering his mastery of picks involving Minnesota.
White, a Fantasy and gambling editor for CBS Sports, consistently crushes against-the-spread picks and went 535-450-30 on his ATS picks from 2017-22, which returned more than $3,500 to $100 players. He also closed the 2022 NFL season on an incredible 107-80-6 run on his last 193 against-the-spread and total NFL picks, returning more than $1,800 for $100 bettors.
Moreover, White has a read on the pulse of the Vikings. In fact, he is an amazing 56-31-4 (+2123) on his last 91 picks involving Minnesota. Anyone who has followed him is way up.
Now, White has zeroed in on Vikings vs. Eagles and just locked in his picks and TNF predictions. You can head to SportsLine to see his picks. Now, here are several NFL odds and betting lines for Eagles vs. Vikings:
- Vikings vs. Eagles spread: Eagles -6
- Vikings vs. Eagles over/under: 49 points
- Vikings vs. Eagles money line: Eagles -260, Vikings +214
- Minnesota: Vikings are 7-11-1 against the spread since start of 2022 season
- Philadelphia: Eagles are 11-10 against the spread since start of 2022 season
- Vikings vs. Eagles picks: See picks at SportsLine
Why the Vikings can cover
Minnesota's offense had a few self-inflicted issues in Week 1, but the Vikings can look back to 2022 for optimism. The Vikings finished No. 4 in the NFL with 382 first downs last season and in the top seven in total yards (361.5 per game) and passing yards (263.8 per game). Minnesota also posted top-eight marks in scoring (24.9 points per game), red zone efficiency (63%), and rushing touchdowns (18), with strong third down efficiency (41.2%).
While the Eagles are stout on defense, the Vikings can lean on the connection between Kirk Cousins and Justin Jefferson. Cousins threw for 344 yards and two touchdowns in the opener, connecting on 75% of his pass attempts. That came after a 2022 season in which he finished in the top five in passing yards (4,547) and passing touchdowns (29). Cousins also has an unquestionably elite weapon in Jefferson, who exploded for 150 yards in Week 1. Jefferson led the NFL in receptions (128), yards per touch (13.9) and receiving yards (1,809) last season. No player in NFL history has more 100-yard games (25) than Jefferson through his first four seasons. See which team to pick here.
Why the Eagles can cover
Philadelphia's front should pay dividends in this matchup. The Eagles led the NFL in sacks (70) by a wide margin last season and lived in opposing backfields throughout 2022. Minnesota allowed the third-worst pressure rate (35.8%) in the NFL in 2022 and gave up 47 sacks. The Eagles have plenty depth, headlined by Haason Reddick, who finished in the top three of the NFL with 16.0 sacks last season. Reddick has three straight seasons with at least 11 sacks and posted the third-most sacks (39.5) in the NFL from 2019 through 2021.
Minnesota's offense has struggled on the ground and finished No. 27 in the NFL in rushing yards per game in 2022. The Eagles led the league in yards per play allowed (4.8) and passing yards allowed (179.8 per game) last season, with top-five marks in total defense (301.5 yards allowed per game), turnover creation rate (15.1% of drives), takeaways (27), and points allowed (20.2 per game). See which team to pick here.
How to make Eagles vs. Vikings picks
White is leaning Under on the point total, but he also has isolated a critical X-factor that has him going big on one side of the spread. He's only sharing what it is, and which side to back, at SportsLine.
