Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz used the bl

PHILADELPHIA -- A strong defense can only do so much.Josh Huff returned a kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown, Carson Wentz outplayed Sam Bradford and the Philadelphia Eagles handed error-prone Minnesota its first loss, 21-10 on Sunday.The Vikings relied on excellent defense and a mistake-free offense to start 5-0. But the Eagles exposed several of their weaknesses.An offense missing both starting tackles and running back Adrian Peterson -- not to mention QB Teddy Bridgewater -- had big trouble against Philadelphia (4-2). Bradford was pressured all game and struggled for the first time in five games for his new team.We turned the ball over, we didnt block people, we dropped balls, we got the quarterback hit, we gave up a 98-yard kickoff return , we fumbled a punt, coach Mike Zimmer said. So if youre going to do those things, you have no chance to win.The Vikings have to figure things out quickly because they suddenly dont look like the team to beat in the NFC North. They play at Chicago (1-6) next Monday, and then four of their next five opponents have a winning record with the other game against Arizona.Meanwhile, the Eagles got back on track after two straight losses. They have a first-place showdown at Dallas (5-1) next Sunday night, and their next five opponents have winning records.Heres what we learned from Philadelphias win over Minnesota:BLITZING BRADFORD: Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz used the blitz far more than usual, and it worked. The result was 19 hits on Bradford, six sacks, two recovered fumbles and one interception. Bradford seemed more concerned with avoiding the rush than keeping his eyes on downfield receivers.We knew traps would give him in trouble, LB Connor Barwin said. We knew when he gets pressure he likes to get the ball outside right away. And so we brought some of that pressure.CARSONS GROWTH: Wentz had a rough first half, throwing two interceptions after only one pick in his first five games. He also missed some open receivers. But the No. 2 overall draft pick settled in nicely and led a couple scoring drives.Carson played well, played efficient, made some good throws, coach Doug Pederson said. He seems to get better each and every week. I dont want to overload him, obviously. I think hes in a good spot mentally with the offense, and weve just got to keep building on what weve begun with him.AGGRESSIVE PLAYCALLING: Pederson took a point off the board after a roughing penalty on the Vikings against Caleb Sturgis and went for the 2-point conversion. Wentz ran it in up the middle on a draw. Pederson then went for fourth-and-2 from the Vikings 44 with 1:21 left in the first half. Wentz gained 6 yards on a keeper and the drive ended with Sturgis making a 35-yard field goal for an 11-3 lead.For me, it was an easy situation and I had trust in our guys, Pederson said.LINE TROUBLES: Minnesotas offensive line, missing starters Matt Kalil and Andre Smith for the rest of the season, had more problems. T.J. Clemmings and Jeremiah Sirles started and newly signed left tackle Jake Long rotated in. His Vikings debut was forgettable: Long allowed two strip sacks .We need to do a better job, Zimmer said. Were not going to go down the street and pick up a bunch of guys. We need to get these guys better and do it quickly.HOME-FIELD DOMINANCE: The Eagles are 3-0 at home for the first time since 2014, when the team opened with six straight wins at Lincoln Financial Field. Theyve outscored the Steelers and Vikings 55-13 in the past two games.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL---Follow Rob Maaddi on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AP-RobMaaddi Colorado Avalanche Shirts . Once again Jordan Cieciwa (@FitCityJordan) and I (@LynchOnSports) go head to head in our picks. Last weekend at UFC Fight Night 32 my #TeamLynch got the best of #TeamJC by a score of 9-6. Let us know which side youre on for UFC 167 use the hashtag #TeamLynch or #TeamJC on Twitter. Fake Avalanche Jerseys . He said Tuesday thats a big reason why he is now the new coach of the Tennessee Titans. Whisenhunt said he hit it off quickly with Ruston Webster when interviewing for the job Friday night. https://www.cheapavalanche.com/ . Third-seeded Murray had the easiest path to victory on New Years Eve, barely breaking a sweat during his 6-0, 6-0 win over 2,129th-ranked Qatari wildcard recipient Mousa Shanan Zayed. Avalanche Jerseys China . -- Linebacker Myles Jack ran for four touchdowns, defensive end Cassius Marsh caught a scoring pass, and No. Cheap Avalanche Jerseys .Y. -- Paul Byron and Matt Stajan scored as the Calgary Flames started a five-game road trip with a 2-1 overtime win over the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday afternoon. NEWARK, N.J. -- Khadeen Carrington made four 3-pointers and scored 18 points, Angel Delgado had 14 points and 16 rebounds, and Seton Hall beat Central Connecticut State 82-58 on Sunday.Delgado, who had a career-high 22 points with 14 rebounds in Seton Halls opener, recorded his 25th career double-double. Carrington has a combined 45 points in his first two games.Myles Powell hit an open 3-pointer to give Seton Hall a 24-4 lead, Madison Jones had a fast-break dunk to extend it to 32-122 and the Pirates led 44-25 at the half.ddddddddddddPowell finished with 13 points and Desi Rodriguez had 12 for Seton Hall (2-0). Freshman Eron Gordon added six points.Prior to the game, Seton Hall raised a banner for the 2016 Big East Conference championship.Mustafa Jones led Central Connecticut State (1-1) with 11 points and Tyson Batiste added 10 points. ' ' '