Thursday Night Football is back for Week 2 with a matchup featuring the former NFC Champion Philadelphia Eagles and the Minnesota Vikings. The Eagles won last week, but it was far from impressive, beating the Patriots 25-20. The Vikings lost last week, being bettered by Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers. Both of these teams have something to prove heading into this primetime matchup and these specific players have even more to prove for their perspective teams.
De’Andre Swift, RB, Eagles
When the Eagles traded for De’Andre Swift, many people thought that he would be the back that he was in Detroit, playing first through third down and receiving most of the pass work. However, as training camp and the preseason progressed, his role became muddy. In Week 1, Swift ended up being out carried 14-1 by Kenneth Gainwell and only received two targets in the passing game. With Gainwell ruled out for this game, Swift will get an opportunity to fill the role and prove that he needs a bigger one in the offense going forward this season.
Jordan Addison, WR, Vikings
The next player on the hot seat is Vikings rookie receiver Jordan Addison. This seems like an interesting pick considering he had a great first game in the NFL seeing six targets and reeling in four receptions for 61 yards and his first touchdown of his career. He was tied with K.J. Osborn in targets and behind T.J. Hockenson and Justin Jefferson. However, when a rookie gets that much work in the first game, the expectation is that he keeps up the same production. Addison has all the makings of a top tier receiver in the NFL and having Jefferson on the other side will relieve a ton of pressure, but he still needs to come out in this primetime game and show that Week 1 wasn’t a fluke.
Christian Elliss, MLB / Sydney Brown, FS, Eagles
The Eagles sustained a lot of injuries after Week 1. Earlier we talked about Swift being on the hot seat because of an injury to Gainwell and now both Christian Elliss and Sydney Brown will be on the hot seat due to injuries from Nakobe Dean and Reed Blankenship at the linebacker and safety positions. Christian Elliss has even more pressure because he is the lone middle linebacker not injured. This defense was widely considered one of the best in the NFL last season and part of being the best is having the depth to back up injuries. Brown had an excellent preseason and should fit in nicely for Blankenship, and Elliss proved after Dean went out that he has what it takes picking up four tackles in the partial game.
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