Eagles, Vikings play giveaway, combining for five consecutive turnovers

PHILADELPHIA — It didn’t take long for the Sam Bradford-Carson Wentz showdown to morph into a turnover fest Sunday.

The Minnesota Vikings and Philadelphia Eagles traded punts to start the game, but then combined for five turnovers — two for the Vikes, three for Philly — on five consecutive drives during the first nine-plus minutes of the contest. It was the first time there'd been such a stretch of ineptitude in a game since 2005.

Wentz commenced the sloppy sequence with a pass, intended for tight end Brent Celek, that sailed into the hands of safety Andrew Sendejo, who returned the ball to the Eagles’ 2.

Minnesota wouldn’t capitalize.

Moments later, Bradford tossed a pick into the end zone to safety Rodney McLeod.

Not to be outdone, Wentz and Darren Sproles couldn’t connect on a subsequent handoff, and Minnesota linebacker Anthony Barr picked the ball up at the Eagles’ 17.

But once again, Bradford couldn’t convert. After dropping back to pass, he didn’t sense Eagles pass rusher Connor Barwin closing in. Barwin nailed Bradford's throwing hand and sent the ball dribbling to safety Malcolm Jenkins, who returned it 76 yards for what appeared to be the game's first score. But it was called back on review when it was revealed Jenkins was down by contact.

Yet Wentz remained in a giving mood, forcing a deep ball to Nelson Agholor. But the second-year wideout was draped, and corneback Xavier Rhodes regained possession for the undefeated Vikes with an interception.

The first quarter ended in a scoreless tie.

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