The Falcons head to the land of 10,000 lakes.
Week 2 of the NFL has arrived, and the Atlanta Falcons take the trip up north to face the Minnesota Vikings.
They take with them a 0-1 record, following a cruel defeat to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 1.
A missed field goal at the death by Falcons kicker Younghoe Koo prevented the game from going to overtime.
However, there were major positives to take from the game. The main one is that quarterback Michael Penix Jr. looks like the real deal.
The Dirty Birds’ defense also looked solid for the majority of the game.
They travel to a Vikings side fresh off the back of a late win against the Chicago Bears, with J.J. McCarthy proving doubters wrong.
Injury woes
Raheem Morris would have feared the worst when he saw Drake London clutching his shoulder last week.
The Falcons’ wide receiver unit was already depleted after Darnell Mooney’s omission due to injury.
KhaDarel Hodge replaced London in last week’s game, the journeyman notably not taking the gamble on an MPJ dot in the end zone.
This left many Falcons fans concerned. The possibility of a KhaDarel Hodge and RayRay McCloud III starting WR duo this weekend is severely underwhelming.
However, as the week progressed, so did the good news. London was back running drills in training, and Mooney has been given the green light. Neither carry and injury designation into Sunday’s game.
A Vikings team with heart
After getting injured before his rookie season, all eyes were on J.J. McCarthy’s first NFL start last week. The former Michigan man started slow but came alive in the fourth to put the Vikings 1-0.
The quarterback match-up this weekend is a repeat of the 2024 college football playoff National Championship. Penix Jr’s Washington Huskies fell short to McCarthy’s Michigan Wolverines.
The two were also part of the same draft class, with Penix Jr being picked up 8th overall while McCarthy went 10th.
The men’s careers have run parallel, but both proved they are going to be in the NFL for a long time after their performances last week.
Where will it be won and lost?
The Falcons cover will be vital to where this game is won and lost.
Not only do the Vikings have a quarterback with a terrific arm, but they also have arguably the best wide receiver around in Justin Jefferson.
The Bears laid out the blueprint last week and showcased that the Vikings’ defense will give the quarterback time on the ball.
The performances of Bijan Robinson and Drake London are also a huge factor. If those two don’t show, then it will be a tough ask for the Dirty Birds.
Tale of the tape
Quarterbacks: Michael Penix Jr. (ATL) | J.J. McCarthy (MIN)
WR1 and WR2: Drake London (ATL), Darnell Mooney (ATL) | Justin Jefferson (MIN), Jordan Addison (MIN)
Running Backs: Bijan Robinson (ATL) | Aaron Jones Sr. (MIN)
Head Coach: Raheem Morris (ATL) | Kevin O’Connell (MIN)
Offensive Coordinator: Zac Robinson (ATL) | Wes Phillips (MIN)
Defensive Coordinator: Jeff Ulbrich (ATL) | Brian Flores (MIN)
2024 Record: Atlanta Falcons (8-9) | Minnesota Vikings (14-3)
2025 Round 1 Pick: Jalen Walker (ATL), James Pearce (ATL) | Donovan Jackson (MIN)
2024 Result: Vikings 42-21 Falcons
