Minnesota Vikings: 3 Bold predictions for Week 6 vs. Falcons

2. Minnesota’s pass defense will need to step up

Over the last few years and once again this year, the Falcons have held one of the top offensive units in the entire NFL and features a unit that likes to air the ball out in order to put points up on the scoreboard early and often.

In Week 6 between Minnesota and Atlanta on Sunday afternoon in Minneapolis, the Vikings will have to step up in that area on defense and see their pass defense step up against that stellar group on the other side of the ball.

Through five games in 2020, Minnesota has given up 1,357 yards through the air, which is sixth-worst in the NFL. Opposing offenses are averaging to throw for 8.3 yards per pass attempt (tied for third-most) and scored 10 passing touchdowns against Minnesota (tied for fourth-most).

On the other side of the field, Atlanta has thrown the ball 205 times so far this year, which is the third-most among teams in the NFL. While completing 62.9 percent of those attempts, the Falcons have recorded 1,472 yards through the air (fourth-most in NFL) along with seven passing touchdowns.

We might be in for a high-scoring affair on Sunday afternoon in Week 6 between the Vikings and Falcons, and Minnesota’s pass defense will have to step up as it did in Week 5 against a dominant Seattle Seahawks squad while trying to shut down Matt Ryan and company through the air.