Very first game of Eagles' Super Bowl defense revealed - report
For the past 16 years, the NFL has tried to start each season with an appealing Thursday night matchup — along with a concert and other festivities — to get people excited about the return of football.
Starting in 2004, when the Patriots hosted the Colts, the kickoff games have pitted the defending Super Bowl champion against a team viewed as a worthy challenger.
So which team has been chosen to take on the Philadelphia Eagles in their first game since upsetting New England in Super Bowl LII?
According to Howard Eskin of WIP-FM in Philadelphia, it’s the Minnesota Vikings.
When #NFL schedule comes out sources tell me #Eagles will play #Vikings to open season Thursday night September 6th in Philadelphia. It’s rematch of NFC Championship game. @SportsRadioWIP
— Howard Eskin (@howardeskin) March 19, 2018
The last time we saw Mike Zimmer’s team, it was being run out of Lincoln Financial Field in the NFC championship game.
Backup quarterback Nick Foles, who replaced Carson Wentz after his knee injury in Week 14, lit up the top-ranked Vikings defense for 352 yards and three touchdowns in Philadelphia’s 38-7 victory.
Meanwhile, the Eagles’ defense shut down Minnesota quarterback Case Keenum, whose surprisingly strong season ended with two interceptions, a fumble and a crushing defeat.
Keenum won’t be in the Vikings’ lineup Sept. 6. The free agent signed a two-year, $36 million contract to be the next starting quarterback of the Denver Broncos.
Replacing him in Minnesota will be former Redskin Kirk Cousins, who signed a three-year, $84 million deal that makes him the highest-paid quarterback in the league.
While Keenum was impressive after stepping into the starting role following the injury to starter Sam Bradford, Cousins should take the Vikings’ offense to the next level. He was the most-sought-after free agent QB this offseason after putting together three straight 4,000-plus-yard seasons in Washington.
Minnesota’s offense should also benefit from the return of running back Dalvin Cook, who was having a stellar rookie season until a Week 4 ACL tear ended his year.
The Vikings also improved on defense, addressing a weakness in the middle of the line with the signing of top free agent tackle Sheldon Richardson.
However, Philadelphia has made some offseason moves of its own.
On defense, the Eagles added former Pro Bowl linemen Michael Bennett and Haloti Ngata as well as young cornerback Daryl Worley.
The offense has lost a few pieces, including wide receiver Torrey Smith, running back LeGarrette Blount and tight ends Brent Celek and Trey Burton.
But don’t cry for coach Doug Pederson; he still has receivers Alshon Jeffery, Nelson Agholor and Mack Hollins, tight end Zach Ertz, and running backs Jay Ajayi and Corey Clement at his disposal.
As difficult as it is to repeat as NFL champions, the Eagles appear set for another Super Bowl run.
In last season’s kickoff game, Kansas City steamrolled the Patriots 42-27.
The Chiefs joined the 2012 Cowboys and the 2013 Broncos as the only challengers to beat the defending champs in the season opener.
Kirk Cousins and the Vikings will hope to follow in their footsteps Sept. 6.
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