Vikings vs. Falcons | Key Personnel Battles

Brad Rempel-Imagn Images. It’s the Vikings vs. Falcons in Week as Minnesota again welcomes a fellow NFC team with playoff aspirations. This time, it’s the current NFC South leaders from Atlanta. Vikings vs. Falcons | Key Personnel Battles The Vikings can expect a Falcons team that is out of form with three straight losses but desperate for a win to halt their season slipping away. A win for the Vikings would create a hefty gap between themselves and the Green Bay Packers in the NFC North while keeping them just one game back from division leaders, the Detroit Lions. If the Vikings are going to win, here are some of the key personnel battles they need to come out on top of. Brian Flores vs. Kirk Cousins Minnesota knows Kirk Cousins can be rattled if you put him under pressure. They also know he is good at reading the blitz and getting the ball out quickly. The Vikings have often struggled to get pressure up front without blitzing, and it’s an issue that Brian Flores needs to solve — not only for this week but also for the big games against the Packers and Lions that are on the horizon. Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores chats with the media on Tuesday, December 3rd, 2024, after his team beat the Arizona Cardinals by a score of 23-22 on December 1st. Minnesota hired Flores before the start of the 2023 season to lead the defense. The Falcons’ offense is strong, and if Flores can set his defense up to keep them quiet, the Vikings will be well on their way to another victory. Cousins needs to be able to feed his playmakers quickly so he can open up explosive passes downfield. It will be an intriguing chess match that will be fascinating to watch. Vikings Defensive Front vs. Bijan Robinson The Vikings possibly have the best run defense in the league. So far, the Vikings have only allowed 976 rushing yards this season, which is an impressive 3.7 yards per carry. They are the only team that hasn’t exceeded the 1000 yards mark allowed. Cousins is generally more effective as a QB when he has a dominant run game to work off. The Falcons have Bijan Robinson, the eighth overall pick from last year, leading their rushing attack. After a slightly disappointing rookie season, Robinson has had a major breakout in Year 2 as both a rusher and a pass catcher. Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports. Robinson has 885 yards on the ground at 4.6 yards per carry and seven touchdowns. He also has an impressive 51 receptions from 55 targets for 392 yards and a touchdown. His overall grade of 91.4 from Pro Football Focus ranks second among running backs across the league. I expect quick passes and screens to Robinson to be a big part of the Falcons’ offensive game plan. Sam Darnold vs. The Falcons Secondary When opposing teams come to play the Vikings, the question is whether their defense will stick to their tendencies or the Justin Jefferson effect will cause them to change completely. The Falcons operate almost entirely from a three-high shell, running either Cover 3 or 3 Seam 41.8% of the time. Darnold has had great success against that look this season, but will the Falcons stick to it or go down the route most do and give Jefferson special attention? Steve Roberts-Imagn Images. Atlanta’s best defensive players are in the secondary, but how much do they trust them to cope with the Vikings’ high-powered offense? The key to success with this Vikings offense is Darnold’s ability to know when to feed Jefferson and when to move off him and feed everyone else. After the three-interception horror show in Jacksonville, Darnold hasn’t been picked off in the last three games. If he can keep his game clean, good things can happen for Minnesota. For Atlanta, how well the Falcons can limit Darnold’s big-time throws and if they can create turnovers will dictate if they can get back to winning ways in Week 14.