Eagles vs. Vikings 2013, Week 15: Minnesota offense shocks Philly for upset win

In fairness, the Vikings have played better than their 4-9-1 record suggests this season. But while Minnesota fans certainly enjoyed picking up the unexpected win, the victory removes the team from the running for the top pick in 2014.

Christopher Gates at Daily Norseman breaks down the details:

Ponder, who many believe was in a make-or-break season for the Vikings, proved to be very underwhelming. The former first round pick only threw for 1,648 yards with seven touchdowns and nine interceptions. On the other hand, Cassel has 1,504 yards to his credit with nine scores and only five picks.

• NFL Week 15 updates, highlights and GIFs | Scoreboard

The Vikings are on the verge of a full-scale rebuild, and it’s unclear how many pieces from the team will remain. Minnesota has consistently played teams hard in 2013, despite being eliminated from playoff contention. That will count for little in an organization desperate for sustained success.

Greg Jennings turned back the hands of time, totaling 163 yards and a touchdown for the Vikings.

Asiata has only picked up 36 yards on the ground, but he’s made an impact where needed. The former Omaha Nighthawk running back has two touchdowns on the day, including a one-yard run to extend Minnesota’s lead over the Eagles to 12 points.

It remains to be seen if Peterson will be shut down of the remainder of the season as a precaution, but Asiata has shown he can be leaned on -- at least on short runs.

This is worse than not helping the man up. He’s left in no-mans land and the only chap willing to offer a helping hand is the referee. Way to rub it in Vikings.

• NFL Week 15 updates, highlights and GIFs | Live Scores

It just so happened that the NFL made those illegal this season. Here’s the new rule:

The worst part is, he didn’t really need to throw that block.

Peterson has run for over 1,200 yards this season with 10 touchdowns. His play this season had mitigated the team’s problems at quarterback, allowing the Vikings to remain competitive even though they’re out of playoff contention. The team will open a new stadium in 2014, and having the former NFL MVP to usher in the team’s new home is part of the organization’s plan.

• Spencer Hall rejects a special offer from the Redskins

Game Date/Time and Location: Sunday, Dec. 15, 1 p.m. ET at Mall of America Field, Minneapolis, Minn.

TV schedule and distribution map: Fox; The506.com

What a difference a year can make.

With just three regular season games remaining, the Eagles control their playoff destiny while the Vikings can only play spoiler.

Peterson acknowledged that he’s played with pain this season, but the Vikings were optimistic he’ll be able to push through once again. Minnesota head coach Leslie Frazier was waiting to give a final evaluation, and was encouraged by what he saw before the ruling came out, according to Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post:

It would be easy for Minnesota to shut down the reigning MVP and save him for 2014, but the veteran back won’t have any of it, via Wilson:

Robinson suffered a fractured sternum in Week 11 and is done for the season. Before the injury, he struggled in the nickel slot role. Robinson finishes his year with 57 tackles, a forced fumble and four passes defended in 11 games.

• Spencer Hall rejects a special offer from the Redskins

Given the Eagles and Vikings being on opposite ends of the spectrum when it comes to wins, Philadelphia is favored by 4.5 points on the road. For CBS Sports’ panel of eight, seven members went with the Eagles, even with the points. Pete Prisco was only panelist to take the points. When picking straight up, the entire panel voted in favor of the Eagles. For the Inside the NFL two-man crew, the Eagles were favored in a 2-0 sweep.

The six-man panel from SB Nation also voted in favor of a 6-0 sweep.

That’s why it’s unsurprising to see the Eagles, who hold the top spot in the NFC East and a spot in the playoffs, presently, favored to win this matchup. The Eagles opened as 2.5-point favorites for this game, though the line has only moved further in their favor, according to OddsShark.

Despite the Eagles playing the matchup on the road, the Eagles could be had favored by as much as six points at one point in the week. The over/under for the matchup is right around 51 points. That total has gone under in five of Philadelphia’s last seven games and over in four of Minnesota’s last five.