Vikings vs. Eagles -- Zone Coverage Staff Predictions

It's the Vikings at Eagles for the NFC Championship Sunday afternoon. Let's see how the Zone Coverage staff sees this one playing out.

Sam Ekstrom

The Vikings were the far superior team for three quarters against the New Orleans Saints until Hall of Fame quarterback Drew Brees got into desperation mode. If Minnesota gets a lead against the Eagles, Nick Foles won't be able to make the same type of game-on-the-line throws. Minnesota does just enough offensively and wins on a defensive stand.

Vikings 17, Eagles 13

Brandon Warne

I just don't think Nick Foles is going to move the ball against the Vikings, and their running backs are more of the plodding, move-the-chains types. I don't see them breaking any huge runs, and thus, the Vikings can keep them out of the end zone.

Vikings 17, Eagles 6

BJ Reidell

The discussion this week has primarily surrounded the pair of former Jeff Fisher-coached quarterbacks starting in this game — and for good reason. If Case Keenum can limit mistakes and avoid a costly turnover, Minnesota could be headed to the Super Bowl for the first time since 1976.

Vikings 24, Eagles 10

Mitchell Hansen

Coming off one of the top moments in Vikings history, Minnesota will face another tough test in Philadelphia in the NFC Championship game. Nick Foles or Case Keenum will represent the NFC in the Super Bowl, as everyone predicted. Led once again by their defense, the Vikings will head into Philadelphia riding high off their thrilling win over the Saints and will take down the Eagles to return to Minneapolis for the Super Bowl.

Vikings 27, Eagles 20

Arif Hasan

Both defenses are good, but the Vikings defense is demonstrably more flexible and effective. Both quarterbacks can be liabilities, but Keenum has shown substantially more high-quality play than Foles. With a much better offense and a somewhat better defense, it's difficult to see how the Eagles win, even at home.

Vikings 17, Eagles 14

Giles Ferrell

The Vikings on the road in an NFC Championship game, coming off perhaps the greatest moment in franchise history. Yeah, this is where they crush our souls. Nick Foles, needing a touchdown late in the fourth quarter, drives the Eagles down and scores with seconds left to win it. No miracles for the Vikings this time.

Eagles 14, Vikings 13

Ben Remington

Last week, I picked the Vikings to win, because losing in the divisional round just isn't quite heartbreaking enough for the lofty expectations that Vikings fans have this season. The Vikings are already the closest any NFL team has been to playing in their home stadium in the Super Bowl, so there's no better time to twist the knife in the hearts of their fans than this.

This game isn't as much about X and O's as it is fate, and the Vikings have already used up one miracle this postseason, and I wouldn't count on two.

Eagles 20, Vikings 16

Tom Schreier

This game became more difficult when the Eagles offed the Falcons in the first round of the playoffs, so Vikings fans should not dismiss this as simply a road bump to the Super Bowl. Philadelphia fans are nuts -- they famously threw snowballs at Santa -- making the Linc a difficult place to play.