Minnesota Vikings: 3 Bold predictions vs. Falcons, Week 1
Vikings will impress in offensive-heavy game
The first bold prediction when it comes to analyzing and looking into Minnesota’s game against Atlanta on Sunday afternoon in Minneapolis is that the Vikings offense will impress early and often in what will likely be an offensive-heavy game.
During the last few years, Atlanta has ranked near the bottom of the league in defense and allowing opponents to go off on the offensive side of the ball.
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In 2018, the Falcons defensive unit gave up 4,153 passing yards (27th in the NFL) and 33 passing touchdowns (29th in NFL), while allowing teams to tally 1,999 rushing yards (25th in NFL) and 16 rushing touchdowns (21st in NFL).
If that level of defensive play continues and carries over to the 2019 campaign, that could mean that Dalvin Cook and the Vikings running back group, along with quarterback Kirk Cousins and Minnesota’s wide receiving and tight end corps, will have a breakout game in the first contest of the regular season.
The Vikings displayed the ability to contain a high-powered offense and passing game a year ago, led by Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs on the outside of the field and Cousins behind center.
Now with having a healthy Cook back within the offense and adding the potential of Irv Smith Jr. to pair up with Kyle Rudolph at tight end, Minnesota has a few more pieces to incorporate into that success it displayed in 2018.
With the mix of the Falcons containing somewhat of a below-average defense and an offense that is one of the top and most potent offenses in the league, that recipe will make for an offensive shootout on Sunday at US Bank Stadium.