Minnesota Vikings vs. Philadelphia Eagles: 2023 Week 2 Recap

Game story

In Week 2 of the 2023 NFL season on 2023-09-14, the Philadelphia Eagles took care of business against the Minnesota Vikings, pulling away with a 34–28 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 27 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

K. Cousins (Minnesota Vikings) paced the passing game, with +11.31 total EPA, and +8.2% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, K. Cousins (Minnesota Vikings) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +11.31 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-15.3% win probability) landed in the second quarter when Minnesota Vikings changed the game: (:41) (Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins pass deep left to 18-J.Jefferson to PHI 1 for 30 yards (26-T.Edmunds). FUMBLES (26-T.Edmunds), ball out of bounds at PHI 1. The Replay Official reviewed the ball was out of

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.

1. 1 K. Cousins · Minnesota Vikings · Passing · +11.31 total EPA · 49 snaps · +0.23 EPA/play
2. 2 T. Hockenson · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +7.95 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.99 EPA/play
3. 3 D. Smith · Philadelphia Eagles · Receiving · +7.87 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.57 EPA/play
4. 4 D. Swift · Philadelphia Eagles · Rushing · +6.61 total EPA · 29 snaps · +0.23 EPA/play
5. 5 J. Jefferson · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +6.12 total EPA · 13 snaps · +0.47 EPA/play
6. 6 J. Addison · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +5.32 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.06 EPA/play
7. 7 K. Osborn · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +2.12 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.35 EPA/play
8. 8 B. Scott · Philadelphia Eagles · Rushing · +1.80 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.36 EPA/play

Player of the game

FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

• Minnesota Vikings — T. Hockenson (K. Cousins pass) (Q2 40:45)
• Philadelphia Eagles — J. Hurts (Q2 32:46)
• Philadelphia Eagles — J. Hurts (Q3 28:55)
• Philadelphia Eagles — D. Smith (J. Hurts pass) (Q3 26:02)
• Minnesota Vikings — J. Addison (K. Cousins pass) (Q3 24:18)
• Minnesota Vikings — K. Osborn (K. Cousins pass) (Q4 7:47)
• Philadelphia Eagles — D. Swift (Q4 4:18)
• Minnesota Vikings — T. Hockenson (K. Cousins pass) (Q4 1:14)

Field goals

• Philadelphia Eagles — J. Elliott (Q1 54:51)
• Philadelphia Eagles — J. Elliott (Q2 30:04)
• Philadelphia Eagles — unlisted player (Q2 30:00)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.

The opening quarter: Philadelphia Eagles won the period 3–0. Philadelphia Eagles connected on a field goal from the MIN 6 (Q1 54:51) — (9:51) 4-J.Elliott 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-45-R.Lovato, Holder-10-A.Siposs..

The second quarter: Philadelphia Eagles won the period 19–7. Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the PHI 5 (Q2 40:45) — (10:45) 8-K.Cousins pass short left to 87-T.Hockenson for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the PHI 15 (Q2 40:39) — 1-G.Joseph extra point is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-14-R.Wright.; Philadelphia Eagles found the end zone from the MIN 1 (Q2 32:46) — (2:46) 1-J.Hurts up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Philadelphia Eagles found the end zone from the MIN 15 (Q2 32:44) — 4-J.Elliott extra point is GOOD, Center-45-R.Lovato, Holder-10-A.Siposs.; Philadelphia Eagles connected on a field goal from the MIN 43 (Q2 30:04) — (:04) 4-J.Elliott 61 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-45-R.Lovato, Holder-10-A.Siposs.; Philadelphia Eagles connected on a field goal (Q2 30:00) — END QUARTER 2.

The third quarter: Philadelphia Eagles won the period 14–7. Philadelphia Eagles found the end zone from the MIN 1 (Q3 28:55) — (13:55) (No Huddle) 1-J.Hurts up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Philadelphia Eagles added 1 points from the MIN 15 (Q3 28:53) — 4-J.Elliott extra point is GOOD, Center-45-R.Lovato, Holder-10-A.Siposs.; Philadelphia Eagles found the end zone from the MIN 63 (Q3 26:02) — (11:02) (Shotgun) 1-J.Hurts pass deep left to 6-D.Smith for 63 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Philadelphia Eagles added 1 points from the MIN 15 (Q3 25:54) — 4-J.Elliott extra point is GOOD, Center-45-R.Lovato, Holder-10-A.Siposs.; Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the PHI 62 (Q3 24:18) — (9:18) (Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins pass deep middle to 3-J.Addison for 62 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the PHI 15 (Q3 24:09) — 1-G.Joseph extra point is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-14-R.Wright..

The fourth quarter: Minnesota Vikings won the period 14–13. Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the PHI 10 (Q4 7:47) — (7:47) 8-K.Cousins pass short left to 17-K.Osborn for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN [94-J.Sweat].; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the PHI 15 (Q4 7:41) — 1-G.Joseph extra point is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-14-R.Wright.; Philadelphia Eagles found the end zone from the MIN 2 (Q4 4:18) — (4:18) (Shotgun) 0-D.Swift left tackle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Philadelphia Eagles found the end zone from the MIN 15 (Q4 4:13) — 4-J.Elliott extra point is GOOD, Center-45-R.Lovato, Holder-10-A.Siposs.; Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the PHI 5 (Q4 1:14) — (1:14) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins pass short right to 87-T.Hockenson for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the PHI 15 (Q4 1:10) — 1-G.Joseph extra point is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-14-R.Wright..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.

• Minnesota Vikings (Q2 30:41) — (:41) (Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins pass deep left to 18-J.Jefferson to PHI 1 for 30 yards (26-T.Edmunds). FUMBLES (26-T.Edmunds), ball out of bounds at PHI 1. The Replay Official reviewed the ball was out of [WPA -15.3% · EPA -3.13]
• Philadelphia Eagles (Q1 57:26) — (12:26) (Shotgun) 1-J.Hurts pass deep right to 6-D.Smith to MIN 10 for 54 yards (25-Th.Jackson). [WPA +13.7% · EPA +3.84]
• Minnesota Vikings (Q1 47:58) — (2:58) 2-A.Mattison left tackle to MIN 37 for 2 yards (29-A.Maddox; 28-J.Jobe). FUMBLES (29-A.Maddox), RECOVERED by PHI-30-J.Evans at MIN 39. 30-J.Evans to MIN 39 for no gain (2-A.Mattison). [WPA -13.5% · EPA -5.02]
• Minnesota Vikings (Q3 29:33) — (14:33) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins sacked at MIN 18 for -8 yards (94-J.Sweat). FUMBLES (94-J.Sweat) [94-J.Sweat], RECOVERED by PHI-91-F.Cox at MIN 15. 91-F.Cox to MIN 7 for 8 yards (67-E.Ingram) [WPA -12.5% · EPA -5.85]
• Minnesota Vikings (Q2 42:41) — (12:41) (Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins pass short left to 87-T.Hockenson to PHI 17 for 24 yards (30-J.Evans). [WPA +9.4% · EPA +3.04]

Impact plays

Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.

• Minnesota Vikings (Q3 24:18) — (9:18) (Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins pass deep middle to 3-J.Addison for 62 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +2.6% · EPA +6.72]
• Minnesota Vikings (Q3 29:33) — (14:33) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins sacked at MIN 18 for -8 yards (94-J.Sweat). FUMBLES (94-J.Sweat) [94-J.Sweat], RECOVERED by PHI-91-F.Cox at MIN 15. 91-F.Cox to MIN 7 for 8 yards (67-E.Ingram) [WPA -12.5% · EPA -5.85]
• Philadelphia Eagles (Q3 26:02) — (11:02) (Shotgun) 1-J.Hurts pass deep left to 6-D.Smith for 63 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +2.1% · EPA +5.76]
• Minnesota Vikings (Q1 47:58) — (2:58) 2-A.Mattison left tackle to MIN 37 for 2 yards (29-A.Maddox; 28-J.Jobe). FUMBLES (29-A.Maddox), RECOVERED by PHI-30-J.Evans at MIN 39. 30-J.Evans to MIN 39 for no gain (2-A.Mattison). [WPA -13.5% · EPA -5.02]

Quarterback report card

K.Cousins led all passers in efficiency for Minnesota Vikings, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• K.Cousins (Minnesota Vikings) · 49 dropbacks · 63.3% completion · +8.2% CPOE · +0.23 EPA/play · +11.31 total EPA
• J.Hurts (Philadelphia Eagles) · 32 dropbacks · 56.2% completion · +13.3% CPOE · -0.00 EPA/play · -0.06 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.

By the numbers

Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (Minnesota Vikings +0.09, Philadelphia Eagles +0.12) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.

• Minnesota Vikings: 11 drives, +6.74 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
• Philadelphia Eagles: 12 drives, +11.34 total EPA, 6 scoring drives

Key takeaways

What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.

• Philadelphia Eagles leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• One-score margin — fantasy managers should double-check garbage-time stats before drawing conclusions.
• K. Cousins (Minnesota Vikings) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• K. Cousins (MIN) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.
• J. Hurts (PHI) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.

1. Philadelphia Eagles FG (+3) — Q1 54:51 · MIN 6 · Score 0-3
   (9:51) 4-J.Elliott 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-45-R.Lovato, Holder-10-A.Siposs.
2. Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q2 40:45 · PHI 5 · Score 6-3
   (10:45) 8-K.Cousins pass short left to 87-T.Hockenson for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
3. Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q2 40:39 · PHI 15 · Score 7-3
   1-G.Joseph extra point is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-14-R.Wright.
4. Philadelphia Eagles TD (+6) — Q2 32:46 · MIN 1 · Score 7-9
   (2:46) 1-J.Hurts up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
5. Philadelphia Eagles TD (+7) — Q2 32:44 · MIN 15 · Score 7-10
   4-J.Elliott extra point is GOOD, Center-45-R.Lovato, Holder-10-A.Siposs.
6. Philadelphia Eagles FG (+3) — Q2 30:04 · MIN 43 · Score 7-13
   (:04) 4-J.Elliott 61 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-45-R.Lovato, Holder-10-A.Siposs.
7. Philadelphia Eagles FG (+3) — Q2 30:00 · Score 7-13
   END QUARTER 2
8. Philadelphia Eagles TD (+6) — Q3 28:55 · MIN 1 · Score 7-19
   (13:55) (No Huddle) 1-J.Hurts up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
9. Philadelphia Eagles XP (+1) — Q3 28:53 · MIN 15 · Score 7-20
   4-J.Elliott extra point is GOOD, Center-45-R.Lovato, Holder-10-A.Siposs.
10. Philadelphia Eagles TD (+6) — Q3 26:02 · MIN 63 · Score 7-26
    (11:02) (Shotgun) 1-J.Hurts pass deep left to 6-D.Smith for 63 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
11. Philadelphia Eagles XP (+1) — Q3 25:54 · MIN 15 · Score 7-27
    4-J.Elliott extra point is GOOD, Center-45-R.Lovato, Holder-10-A.Siposs.
12. Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q3 24:18 · PHI 62 · Score 13-27
    (9:18) (Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins pass deep middle to 3-J.Addison for 62 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
13. Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q3 24:09 · PHI 15 · Score 14-27
    1-G.Joseph extra point is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-14-R.Wright.
14. Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q4 7:47 · PHI 10 · Score 20-27
    (7:47) 8-K.Cousins pass short left to 17-K.Osborn for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN [94-J.Sweat].
15. Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q4 7:41 · PHI 15 · Score 21-27
    1-G.Joseph extra point is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-14-R.Wright.
16. Philadelphia Eagles TD (+6) — Q4 4:18 · MIN 2 · Score 21-33
    (4:18) (Shotgun) 0-D.Swift left tackle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
17. Philadelphia Eagles TD (+7) — Q4 4:13 · MIN 15 · Score 21-34
    4-J.Elliott extra point is GOOD, Center-45-R.Lovato, Holder-10-A.Siposs.
18. Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q4 1:14 · PHI 5 · Score 27-34
    (1:14) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins pass short right to 87-T.Hockenson for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
19. Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q4 1:10 · PHI 15 · Score 28-34
    1-G.Joseph extra point is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-14-R.Wright.