Minnesota Vikings: Studs and duds in Week 6 vs. Falcons

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - OCTOBER 18: Russell Gage #83 of the Atlanta Falcons makes a catch while being guarded by Jeff Gladney #20 of the Minnesota Vikings in the third quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium on October 18, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - OCTOBER 18: Russell Gage #83 of the Atlanta Falcons makes a catch while being guarded by Jeff Gladney #20 of the Minnesota Vikings in the third quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium on October 18, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
(Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images) /

Stud: Justin Jefferson

In a game where not much went right for Minnesota, the biggest bright spot was the play of Vikings rookie wide receiver Justin Jefferson and his ability to continue to break onto the scene in Minnesota. In the game, Jefferson was really the only positive that appeared in the contest for the purple and gold, leading the way for the receiving unit on the offensive side of the ball.

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The rookie Jefferson finished the contest with a total of nine catches on 11 targets, hauling in 166 yards through the air with one touchdown. Jefferson continues to impress in his rookie campaign, and he continued to do so on Sunday in Week 6.

Dud: First-half performance

The Vikings did not look good in the opening half of the game, resulting in them falling behind the Falcons right out of the gate to carry a 20-0 deficit into halftime.

Along with that, Minnesota struggled offensively to find really any groove on that side of the ball. Quarterback Kirk Cousins threw two interceptions and the Vikings just couldn’t put any serious drives together during the course of the first half.

Coming off of a solid performance in Week 5 in Seattle, it was surprising to see the Vikings struggle so much against Atlanta on Sunday.