Atlanta Falcons vs Minnesota Vikings preview, predictions, betting odds, live stream info
By Hayden Kane
Atlanta Falcons vs Minnesota Vikings
Matt Ryan, Julio Jones, and the rest of the Atlanta Falcons head to TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis this weekend for a showdown with Teddy Bridgewater, Cordarrelle Patterson, and the Minnesota Vikings. The Falcons enter this game with a 2-1 record and coming off a blowout win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Vikings are 1-2 on the season after losing to the Saints on the road in week 3.
Details for Sunday’s game are below:
Date: Sunday, Sept. 28
Start Time: 4:25 p.m. ET
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Stadium: TCF Bank Stadium
TV Info: FOX
Live Stream: NFL Sunday Ticket
Radio: NFL Audio Pass
Ticket Information: For Falcons ticket info click here. For Vikings ticket info click here.
Keys to Victory
The Vikings, who placed veteran QB Matt Cassel on IR this week, will hope that a week of practice with Bridgewater at the helm can bring some cohesiveness to a team that has had a completely strange season thus far. Getting the ball in Patterson‘s hands more often and in the hands of the underwhelming Matt Asiata less often could go a long way towards getting things going on offense. The Vikings will also need better play from their offensive line in this game.
The match-up to watch will be the high-octane Falcons’ offense against Mike Zimmer’s defense. Two questions loom and will likely decide this game: can Ryan play well in an outdoor game, and can Zimmer dial up the right calls to keep that Atlanta offense in check?
Betting Odds
Point Spread: Vikings +2.5
Moneyline: Falcons -155, Vikings +135
O/U: 47
Prediction
This sets up to as a nice match-up for Bridgewater in his first career start. Charitable, is the word you would use to describe the Atlanta defense when they facing an offense other than the Buccaneers. Bridgewater won’t have to be spectacular to win this game; he will make enough plays when it matters, while the Vikings’ defense will get enough pressure on Ryan to prevent him from getting in a rhythm.
Playing at home and outside, the Vikings will win this game, to the mild surprise of at least some people.
Final Score: Vikings 20, Falcons 17