It’s too early in the season to start thinking about the playoffs and home field advantage, but the winner of this matchup of NFC powers will gain an early upper hand, not to mention a major esteem boost. And don’t forget, a loss in September counts exactly the same as a loss in December. Three things to watch for:
- Getting a Leash on the Freak: In a game that features four of the most recognizable stars in the NFL, none shine brighter than Randy Moss(apologies to T.O., but there’s something to be said for production over self-promotion). The Philadelphia secondary is going to have its hands full Monday night, to say the least. To make matters worse, the Eagles let shutdown corners Troy Vincent and Bobby Taylor both walk away via free agency this summer. Don’t be mistaken, however: the secondary is still very talented, led by the wonderful safety duo of Brian Dawkins and Michael Lewis. But the cornerbacks are painfully young, and Moss should be able to make them pay dearly; just ask Cowboys’ CBs Terrance Newman and Pete Hunter, whom Moss torched for two touchdowns last week. On the other side, Owens will have to do battle with shutdown corner Antoine Winfield, the Vikings’ big free agent acquisition. Minnesota signed Winfield to shore up a shaky secondary, and Monday night is his first chance to show whether or not he’s worth the lucrative contract he received.
- Anything You Can Do I Can Do Better: It wouldn’t be fair to mention Moss and Owens without including their partners in crime, QBs Daunte Culpepper and Donovan McNabb. Two of the best at their craft, both staged performances last week that can only be described as simply awesome. McNabb dismantled the Giants’ secondary for 330 yards and four touchdowns. Culpepper, meanwhile, picked apart the Cowboys’ D for 242 yards and five TDs. Statistics aren’t the only similarity between the two, though. Both have the ability to beat defenses with their legs as well as their arms, and now both have premiere WRs at their disposal. Although McNabb and Owens were on the same page last week(hooking up for three scores), experience does count for something, and the Vikings pair hold a four-year advantage in that regard. The Eagles’ tandem will have to gel quickly if they want to stay with Culpepper and Moss, quite possibly the best QB-WR combination in the NFL.
- We’re Playing Too, Ya Know: Lost in the background behind the stars of the passing game are the guys who prefer to conduct their business on the ground instead of in the air: Eagles’ RB Brian Westbrook and Vikings’ RB Onterrio Smith. Westbrook, essentially handed the starting job after Correll Buckhalter went down for the season with a knee injury, quickly proved he was up to the task of carrying the load all by himself. In last week’s win over the Giants, Westbrook went off for 119 yards on just 17 carries, and also caught three passes for 42 yards. The Vikings will have to account for him on every down. Minnesota does field possibly the best defensive line in the league, led by DTs Chris Hovan and Kevin Williams, so Westbrook could find the going tougher than he did against the New York. Smith, who not only wasn’t supposed to start because of the return of Michael Bennett, also wasn’t supposed to be playing at all, having been suspended by the league for violating its substance abuse policy. The NFL hasn’t processed his appeal yet, though, thus allowing Smith to play until done so. The second-year pro out of Oregon took full advantage of his opportunity last Sunday, rushing for 76 yards and also finding himself the recipient of a 63-yard touchdown pass. Smith has the ability to be a big-time player in this league, but if/when he gets his head on straight remains to be seen. If he remains eligible to play, and can keep his focus, he could be a major factor Monday night.