Minnesota Vikings at Philadelphia Eagles Odds

Two teams on very different paths are all set to face off Sunday night when the Minnesota Vikings (5-9) meet the Philadelphia Eagles (10-4).

The Eagles have a chance to clinch the NFC East with a win Sunday, and NFL odds makers don’t expect that to be much of a problem. They have listed the Eagles as a 14-point favorite with the total set at 44.

History is certainly on Philadelphia’s side. The Eagles have won six of the last seven in the series. They have also won five straight at home against the Vikings.

Philadelphia enters this week’s contest with plenty of momentum after a remarkable 38-31 comeback victory over the New York Giants. Down 31-10 with 8:17 to play, it looked like the Giants would be sitting in first place. But Philadelphia never said never. DeSean Jackson’s 65-yard punt return touchdown with no time remaining sealed the deal. It was the first walk-off punt return in NFL history.

Quarterback Michael Vick continued his pursuit of the MVP award with 242 yards passing and two touchdowns. He also added 130 yards on the ground and another score.

Vick has been truly remarkable all season. He has thrown at least two touchdown strikes in seven of his 11 starts. He has also added a rushing score in six of his last seven starts.

Because Philadelphia swept the season series with the Giants, it can win the division with a victory over Minnesota or a New York defeat at Green Bay.

It is worth noting that the Vikings are 0-8 against the spread in their last eight games as an underdog.

While the Eagles boast the NFL’s top offense at 403.9 yards, they could get a challenge from the Vikings’ sixth-ranked stop unit, which is only giving up 308.1 yards per contest. The Minnesota defense will do its best to slow down Vick and company, but it’s going to need some help from the offense. That help won’t be there if rookie quarterback Joe Webb plays like he did in last week’s 40-14 loss to Chicago.

In relief of an injured Brett Favre, who is listed as doubtful with a concussion, Webb completed 15 of 26 passes for 129 yards with two interceptions. He did score a rushing touchdown.

Perhaps more important than the status of Favre is the status of running back Adrian Peterson. The big fella has rushed for 1,149 yards and 11 touchdowns this season, but he was not able to go in Monday’s loss. Peterson, who is rehabbing a thigh bruise, is currently listed as questionable.

If he isn’t able to go, it will once against be up to rookie running back Toby Gerhart to carry the load. The former Stanford star had 77 yards on 16 totes last week against the Bears.

The Vikings are not used to losing. This will be their first losing campaign since 2006 and just their second in the last eight seasons. At this point, they’ll have to take satisfaction in playing the role of spoiler.

The Eagles are 0-5 against the number in their last five games after accumulating more than 350 total yards in their previous game.