Minnesota Vikings Off to an 0-2 Start After Loss at Philadelphia

The Minnesota Vikings were 13-4 last season and won the NFC North before losing to the Giants in a one and done playoff run. They were again a popular choice to win the North—along with the up and coming Detroit Lions—but they’ve looked anything like champions in their first two games.

After losing to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at home 20-17 to open the season, the Vikings traveled to Philadelphia to take on the Eagles. QB Kirk Cousins passes for 364 yards and four touchdowns with no interceptions but the Vikings couldn’t overcome four fumbles and the Eagles (2-0) pulled out a 34-28 win on Thursday Night football to open Week 2 of the season. Cousins had one fumble in this game and two in the Tampa Bay game. He threw one interception in the Tampa Bay game; as a team, Minnesota has seven turnovers in their first two games. While the Vikings have racked up 708 passing yards, they’ve not established a running game, with just 69 rushing yards in two games.

Of the 270 teams that have started 0-2 since 1990, only 31 have made the post season. A lot of those teams weren’t very good to begin with of course, but the Vikings have already lost half as many as they did last year. They will have to cut back on turnovers and find something resembling a running game. Last year’s rushing leader, Dalvin Cook (1173 yards on 264 carries and 8 touchdowns) was released in the off season and is now with the New York Jets. Minnesota will try to get back on track on September 24th when they host the Los Angeles Chargers.

Highlights of the Eagles-Vikings game