Minnesota Vikings: 3 Bold predictions vs. Falcons, Week 1

Minnesota’s defense will hold Julio Jones in check

The second bold prediction that will take place during Minnesota’s game against Atlanta on Sunday will be that the Vikings defense will hold Falcons star wide receiver Julio Jones in check.

Jones, one of the top and more explosive wide receivers in the NFL, has the capability to turn things on and take over a game with quarterback Matt Ryan’s willingness to air out the ball at any point throughout a game.

A season ago, Jones finished with 113 catches and 170 total targets, tallying a league-best 1,677 yards and eight touchdowns while averaging 14.8 yards per reception. While averaging a NFL-leading 104.8 yards per game, Jones also carried a catch percentage of 66.5 percent, which was his highest mark since the 2015 campaign.

In the opening game of the regular season, however, Jones will likely be put to the test against Minnesota’s defense, which has been one fo the top defenses in the league for the last few years.

The Vikings defense has traditionally included some solid defensive backs who have displayed the ability to shut down star wideouts year-in and year-out. That defensive backs core is highlighted and led by Pro Bowler Xavier Rhodes, who will likely be matchup up across from Jones in the game at US Bank Stadium.

Jones has faced off against Minnesota twice in his career up to this point, facing the Vikings in 2015 and 2017 before making his third appearance against Minnesota this year. In those two games, Jones has averaged 6.5 targets, 3.5 catches, 40 yards and no touchdowns in a pair of losses to the Vikings.

Minnesota has had success in figuring out Jones and holding the star wide receiver in check for the most part in his two meetings against the Vikings. On Sunday, that will be the case once again while he is matched up against Rhodes and the tough Minnesota defense.