2024-08-25 05:20:02
This is one of those times where looking ahead (slightly) may not be a bad thing. We can say that because a regular-season game is approaching, one that will affect the overall record. It’s in Brazil and because the NFL Is obsessed with expanding its global reach, it has taken on a Super Bowl feel.
Don’t get us wrong. We understand the one-game-at-a-time approach. We get it. Nothing happens until we conquer this final preseason game. This one is important too, but it’s hard not to get excited.
So, as we divide our attention between the Green Bay Packers and the Minnesota Vikings, everyone is aware of the itinerary. Play one more preseason game, get one last look at the back half of the depth chart, trim the roster down to 53 men (and a practice squad).
Following two road games to open the preseason slate, the Philadelphia Eagles return home to battle the Minnesota Vikings in the finale. Watch this one on NFL Plus if you are a premium subscriber and on NBC10 in Philly if you are watching the game locally.
Kickoff is scheduled for 1 pm EST. Lincoln Financial Field provides the backdrop. This one will draw a few onlookers.
The starters won’t be playing. That has been the business model all summer. We expect extended looks at the reserves and guys hoping to make one last positive impression on the coaching staff and catapult themselves onto the roster.
Here’s something else of note. We expect to get our first on-field look at second-round draft choice Cooper DeJean. He missed the first two games and most of training camp while recovering from a hamstring injury.
If you’re watching the game, you’ll be listening to Scott Graham handling the play-by-play duty. He will be joined in the booth by Ross Tucker who will serve as the color analyst. Dave Spadaro will handle the sideline duty.
The game can also be heard by way of the radio by tuning the dial to 94 WIP-FM if you live in the coverage area. Merrill Reese (play-by-play), Mike Quick (analyst), and Howard Eskin (sideline) handle the call as always. They can also be heard on SiriusXM by way of tuning into channel 228.
Though this one won’t count as a regular-season win or loss, these two proud franchises are very familiar with one another. Historically, the Eagles and Vikings have met on the field 31 times to play a football game. Four of those meetings have come during the postseason. Philly has one all of those and leads the all-time tally by one win as the record stands at 16-15 in the Eagles favor.
Randall Cunningham played for the Vikes once. That’s still hard to believe sometimes. He once led them to within one game of the Super Bowl. The stakes, again, won’t be high but don’t tell the participating players that. If being asked to play in this one, you had better give your best effort. A spot on the roster might be the reward for doing so.
