As the Philadelphia Eagles face off against the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday night, both teams will be looking to knock off rusty performances from their season openers. The Vikings coming off a disappointing loss to the Buccaneers, while the Eagles won sloppily over the Patriots.

With an intriguing point spread and over/under line, there are several key factors to consider when analyzing the game. Let’s dive into the quarterback, running back, wide receiver, and tight end positions to provide insights into potential player props and fantasy outcomes.

Quarterbacks:

1. Jalen Hurts (PHI):

Ranked as my QB2 option for this week, Hurts has an excellent opportunity to get right. The weak pass defense of the Vikings, which gave up the 2nd most passing yards last season,  presents a plus matchup. However, when it comes to his passing prop of 251.5 yards, Hurts has hit the under in four of his last five games, including the playoffs. Given the Eagles’ potential control of the game, betting on the under for Hurts’ 251.5 passing yards could be a wise choice.

2. Kirk Cousins (MIN):

Despite the loss, Cousins, my QB13, went for 344 yards in a negative game script scenario last week.  While Cousins has the stigma of being a poor performer in primetime games, his stat performances aren’t terrible with a 68% comp pct and 7.89 yards/att on Thursday night games. Cousins has a favorable chance to hit the over on his 267.5 passing yards prop.

Running Backs:

1. Alexander Mattison (MIN):

With the Vikings’ offensive line injury-riddled, Mattison, my RB16, had an inefficient outing in his last game with just 3.1 yards per carry. Facing a tough Eagles defense, it might be challenging for Mattison to perform better on Thursday night. Taking the under on Mattison’s 51.5 rushing yards prop seems reasonable.

2. D’Andre Swift (PHI):

Expecting to have a good matchup with the positive game script, Swift could see significant opportunities in this game. He was closely matched with Kenneth Gainwell in terms of routes run in the previous outing and has historically performed well against the Vikings. With Gainwell ruled out, Swift is my RB27 this week. Taking the over on Swift’s 34.5 rushing yards prop seems like a good bet.

Wide Receivers:

1. Justin Jefferson (MIN):

The absence of key players in the Eagles’ secondary could potentially benefit Jefferson, my WR1. With the expected movement of the ball by the Vikings to be through the air, Jefferson has a good chance to surpass his 93.5 receiving yards prop. Keep an eye on his continued dominant performance in this game.

2. AJ Brown (MIN):

Facing a favorable matchup, Brown, my WR6, has performed consistently well in recent regular-season games. With the Eagles continuing to consolidate their passing game, Brown has a good chance to hit the over on his 73.5 receiving yards prop as he has the past 5 times in a row.

3. Devonta Smith (PHI):

Smith, my WR13, tends to excel when Dallas Goedert doesn’t perform, and the coaching staff has emphasized getting the ball to Goedert this week. With that in mind, the over on Smith’s 62.5 receiving yards prop could be risky, but he could still have an impact on the game.

Tight Ends:

1. TJ Hockenson (MIN):

Volume is not an issue for Hockenson, my TE3, having received nine targets last week. Additionally, Hunter Henry‘s success against the Eagles’ defense last week bodes well for Hockenson. He has a good chance to meet his expectations and perform solidly.

2. Dallas Goedert (PHI):

The coaching staff is prioritizing involving Goedert, my TE5, more in the offense, and with the target consolidation by the Eagles, Goedert should have opportunities to make an impact. While it’s important to observe the new play-calling and offensive schemes, there is potential for Goedert to surpass his 44.5 receiving yards prop.

Game Line Bet:

As the Eagles take on the Vikings on Thursday night, the game line doesn’t present significant value. Betting on the under at 49 for two teams that appear rusty could be a wise decision.

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