Eagles vs. Minnesota Vikings: Position-by-position and matchup breakdowns | NFC Championship

By Eliot Shorr-Parks | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

When the Eagles lineup agains the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field for the NFC Championship game, it might feel like they are looking in a mirror.

Both teams have an elite defense. Both teams struggle at times to score on offense. Both teams are being led by backup quarterbacks. Neither team was expected to be here.

Despite their similarities, however, the Eagles and Vikings do have some differences, and there are some key matchups each will have to try to exploit to secure a trip to Super Bowl LII.

Here is a position-by-position breakdown, with a look at who has an advantage at different matchups:

Denver Broncos v Philadelphia Eagle

Mitchell Leff | AP PHOTO

EAGLES' DEFENSIVE ENDS VS. VIKINGS' OFFENSIVE TACKLES

THE MATCHUP: Eagles' DE Brandon Graham vs. Vikings' RT Mike Remmers; Eagles' DE Vinny Curry vs. Riley Reiff

ANALYSIS: Graham is one of the best defensive ends in the NFL, both against the run and at creating pressure on the opposing quarterback. He should be able to easily win his matchup against Remmers. Reiff is the weaker of the two tackles, and Curry should be able to have his way with him. Add in the depth the Eagles have at defensive end, and they have a clear advantage in this matchup.

ADVANTAGE: Eagles

Fletcher Cox.jpg

Tim Hawk | NJ.com

EAGLES' DEFENSIVE TACKLES VS. VIKINGS' INTERIOR OFFENSIVE LINE

THE MATCHUP: Eagles' DT Fletcher Cox and DT Timmy Jernigan vs. Vikings' LG Jeremiah Sirles, C Pat Elflein and RG Joe Berger

ANALYSIS: The Vikings had a much better interior of the offensive line than they do on the edges, but now that Jeremiah Sirles is starting at guard, the interior is weaker than it used to be. The strength of the Eagles' defensive line is clearly at defensive tackle, and there aren't many teams that have the offensive line to deal with both Cox and Jernigan. The Vikings definitely do not.

ADVANTAGE: Eagles

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Eagles vs. Minnesota Vikings: Position-by-position and matchup breakdowns | NFC Championship