| Atlanta Falcons (0-1) at Minnesota Vikings (1-0) | |||
| Game Details: Sunday, September 14, 8 p.m EST | |||
| Location: Minneapolis, MN | |||
| Where to Watch: NBC |
Last week, the Minnesota Vikings barely won, and the Atlanta Falcons barely lost. Atlanta QB Michael Penix Jr. had over 280 yards passing, while J.J. McCarthy had 143. Somehow, McCarthy took the NFC Player of the Week award. Penix was a Younghoe Koo wide right FG away from 1-0 with a better statistical game.
That is the razor-thin margin between the star and the QB trying to avoid a team 0-2 start as Minnesota prepares to host Atlanta for a Sunday Night Football showdown. The Vikings enter with momentum, while the Falcons are hungry to prove their opening loss was just a temporary setback. Atlanta accumulated impressive offensive numbers in the defeat, racking up 358 total yards, setting the stage for what could be a high-scoring affair.
Betting Odds
| Team | Spread | Total | Money Line |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta Falcons | +3.5 (-115) | Over 44.5 | +152 |
| Minnesota Vikings | -3.5 (-105) | Under 44.5 | -180 |
** Odds Subject to Change – Courtesy of FanDuel**
Tale of The Tape
| Atlanta Falcons | Team Stats | Minnesota Vikings |
|---|---|---|
| 20 | Points Per Game | 27 |
| 289 | Passing Yards Per Game | 134 |
| 69 | Rushing Yards Per Game | 120 |
| 23 | Opponents Points Per Game Allowed | 24 |
| 159 | Opponents Pass Yards Allowed | 198 |
| 101 | Opponents Rush Yards Allowed | 119 |
Key Details
Atlanta Falcons
The heartbreak was evident in Atlanta after the Koo 44-yard field goal attempt sailed wide with just six seconds remaining against Tampa Bay. That missed kick represented more than just three points: it symbolized how quickly momentum can shift. But there’s a genuine reason for optimism surrounding this Falcons squad, particularly when you examine how Penix performed under pressure in his first real test as the starter.
Completing 27 of 42 passes for 298 yards while adding both a passing and rushing touchdown, Penix demonstrated the dual-threat capability that made him such an attractive prospect. The eighth overall pick in the 2024 draft showed remarkable composure during that late-game drive, displaying the kind of clutch gene that separates good quarterbacks from great ones. However, this week presents an entirely different challenge, as the Falcons must navigate the aggressive defensive schemes of Brian Flores, whose Vikings defense has blitzed more frequently
Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings’ fate looked bleak until the fourth quarter, when J.J. McCarthy exploded onto the scene in his NFL debut. After a shaky start, he was flawless when it mattered most.
McCarthy threw for two touchdowns and ran for another, all in the final 15 minutes, leading his team back from an 11-point deficit. The challenge now for the quarterback is to build on that momentum in his first home start. The Falcons’ defense is no pushover, and McCarthy will need to be sharp from the opening whistle to secure another victory and keep the Vikings undefeated.
Prediction
Let’s recap: For three quarters, the internet blew up during the MNF game that McCarthy is a bust. It’ll be a long year. The “Bring back Sam Darnold” web pages were being built. Penix, meanwhile, throws for 289 yards, leads an end-of-game drive, and watches his field goal kicker sail the game-winning kick wide right. And, now, Vegas thinks the Vikings are going to win? And, giving us more than three points? We like the Falcons, and since Koo is injured and not expected to play, we don’t expect the game to be decided at the last minute by a field goal.
