After their worst performance in more than a year, the Philadelphia Eagles have had some extra time to try to sort out their problems, iron out their inconsistencies and air out their feelings.

The defending Super Bowl champions will be quickly challenged to show they’ve made some strides.

The Eagles, after a humbling 34-17 defeat in prime time by the division-rival New York Giants and a 10-day break to reexamine their lineups, mindsets and schemes, play at Minnesota today.

“There was a little bit of rest and relaxation, and then there was a lot of trying to figure things out,” coach Nick Sirianni said. “We have a lot of thoughts, a lot of things that we want to put into action.”

The Vikings (3-2) are coming off even more time for rest and reflection, after splitting an historic two-game road trip to Europe and taking their much-needed bye week. They not only have multiple strengths that should match up well for them with some of the early season vulnerabilities that have been on display by the Eagles, but they’re much healthier as a team now after a series of injuries sidelined several key players.

The Eagles (4-2) must try to fix an offense that ranks third-worst in the NFL in total yards against a Vikings defense allowing the second-fewest passing yards per game in the league.

“They’re the defending champs,” Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores said. “I’m not really looking at the numbers, just the history and the talent that’s there, the explosiveness that’s there. We’ve got a big challenge ahead of us.”

Saquon Barkley, a 2,000-yard rusher in 2024, hasn’t come close to an 100-yard game yet. Quarterback Jalen Hurts hasn’t played like the Super Bowl MVP he was last season. A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, both multiple-time 1,000-yard receivers, have both expressed discontent with their role. After the loss to the Giants, six-time Pro Bowl right tackle Lane Johnson ripped the “predictability” of the offense.

“I feel like we’ve been very stagnant offensively,” Johnson said. “We’ve really put the defense in a bind the last two weeks.”

Carson Wentz will start at quarterback again for the Vikings, his fourth straight game subbing for J.J. McCarthy, the 2024 first-round draft pick who hasn’t played since suffering a high right ankle sprain during his second career start on Sept. 14.

The Eagles drafted Wentz second overall in 2016.

Pick: Eagles, 26-18

Line: Chargers by 1 1/2

Daniel Jones has revived his career in Indianapolis and Jonathan Taylor is having an outstanding season. He’ll be running against a defense that allowed De’Von Achane to average 8.0 yards per carry last week. Justin Herbert rallied the Chargers to a win at Miami and third-string running back Kimani Vidal had a breakout game. A depleted offensive line needs to protect Herbert, though the Colts have the fewest sacks in the NFL. Jim Harbaugh hasn’t lost four straight games against the spread in his career.

Pick: Colts, 23-21

Line: Rams by 3

A stingy defense led the Rams to a victory last week, but they’ll need Matthew Stafford and the offense to get on track against the Jaguars and they’ll try and doit without injuured star receiver Puka Nacua. Trevor Lawrence needs better protection, especially against a fierce pass rush. Jacksonville won’t have linebacker Devin Lloyd, who was the AFC defensive player of the month in September. The Rams are 2-0 in international games under coach Sean McVay. The Jaguars are 7-6 abroad.

Pick: Rams, 24-20

Line: Chiefs by 12

Geno Smith, Ashton Jeanty and the rest of the Raiders’ offense is underachieving. But they’ve played well against Kansas City in recent years, winning twice on the road since 2020. The Chiefs are back after an 0-2 start, and looked like contenders in a convincing win over Detroit. Rashee Rice is returning to give Patrick Mahomes another playmaker. The Chiefs are 9-0 straight up, but 1-7-1 ATS under Mahomes as a favorite of six points or more over the past two seasons.

Pick: Chiefs, 27-16

Line: Bears by 5

The Saints have been competitive in losses. They haven’t started 1-5 since 1999 and have defeated the Bears eight straight games. Coming off an impressive Monday night win at Washington, Caleb Williams and the Bears have to avoid a letdown on a quick turnaround. They’re 0-4 with Williams on short rest.

Pick: Bears, 20-17

Line: Browns by 3

Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel is on the hot seat and a loss to the Browns could be the final straw. Tua Tagovailoa needs to put up after calling out teammates. Won’t be easy against Myles Garrett and a tough defense. Rookie Dillon Gabriel makes his third start for Cleveland, which has scored 17 points or fewer in 11 straight games. The Browns are 0-5 straight up as favorites the past two seasons.

Pick: Browns, 19-17

Line: Patriots by 7

Mike Vrabel goes back to Tennessee with his first-place Patriots in the first game since the Titans fired the coach who replaced him. Drake Maye is playing at a high level under offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. Cam Ward has an interim coach for the next 11 games. It’s a bad situation for a rookie quarterback.

Pick: Patriots, 24-13

Line: Panthers by 1

Rico Dowdle has helped the Panthers win two in a row to even their record. He has 473 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns in the past two games. The Jets had a chance to upset the Broncos in London but Justin Fields struggled and Aaron Glenn made questionable coaching decisions. Carolina is 0-10 straight up and ATS as a favorite since 2021.

Pick: Panthers, 24-17

Line: Broncos by 7

Jaxson Dart and Cam Skattebo have brought excitement and a pair of wins to New York, and the Giants have a formidable front four. Defense has carried the Broncos, who need more from their offense after a lackluster performance in London. Denver is 4-0 ATS the week after scoring fewer than 14 points under Sean Payton.

Pick: Broncos, 24-16

Line: Commanders by 2

The Commanders aren’t playing like the team that reached the NFC championship game last season. Jayden Daniels and the offense need to get going. Playing against the worst defense in the NFL should help. But Washington’s defense has struggled, too. The Cowboys present a major challenge offensively. Dak Prescott is playing at an MVP level so this could be a shootout.

Pick: Commanders, 33-30

Line: Packers by 6 1/2

Jordan Love and Josh Jacobs have been productive, and Micah Parsons has been a disruptive force yet the Packers haven’t been dominant the past three games. Jacoby Brissett nearly led the Cardinals to an upset in Indianapolis while filling in for Kyler Murray. Quarterback controversy? Not really. The Packers are 16-2 straight up under coach Matt LaFleur against backups.

Pick: Packers, 30-19

Line: 49ers by 2

Michael Penix Jr. and Bijan Robinson were impressive in a Monday night win over Buffalo. The Falcons have a quick turnaround for a trip to the West Coast to face a 49ers team decimated by injuries. Losing All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner for the season was a crushing blow for San Francisco. Star tight end George Kittle is expected to return, which will be a major boost for the 49ers, who again will start Mac Jones at quarterback in place of Brock Purdy.

Pick: 49ers, 23-20