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Atlanta Falcons vs. Minnesota Vikings Pick & Prediction OCT 18TH 2020
Killer instinct has eluded both the Atlanta Falcons and Minnesota Vikings through five weeks of the NFL season, a big reason why the teams enter Sunday's meeting in Minneapolis with a combined 1-9 record.
The inability to finish games ultimately cost Falcons coach Dan Quinn his job this week, meaning players had the chance to hear about the lack of a sense of urgency from a different voice: interim coach Raheem Morris.
"At the end of the day, we have to find a way to put our foot on people's throats and end games," Morris said. "That's what has got to happen."
The Falcons (0-5) in 2020 became the first NFL team ever to squander a pair of fourth-quarter leads of 15-plus points in the same season, a testament both to a quick-starting offense and shoddy defense.
While running back Todd Gurley leads the Falcons' rushing attack with 375 yards and five touchdowns, the Atlanta defense is surrendering 32.2 points and 446.0 yards per game.
The Vikings (1-4) and coach Mike Zimmer are coming off their own collapse. Minnesota was on the cusp of handing the Seattle Seahawks their first defeat of the season Sunday night, but a fourth-down conversion attempt deep in Seattle territory late in the game failed, and the Seahawks responded with the winning touchdown on fourth-and-goal with 15 seconds left.
Zimmer noted Wednesday that the Vikings have played a trio of undefeated teams in Green Bay, Tennessee and Seattle, as well as one club, Indianapolis, with two losses. The Vikings lost to both the Seahawks and Titans by a single point.
"We're getting better every week," Zimmer said. "You've just got to keep getting better, and the wins will come."
Veteran Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan, who has passed for just seven touchdowns through five games, acknowledged the rumblings about his future with the franchise after owner Arthur Blank spoke to the media this week.
Ryan said he can't worry about what he can't control, and pledged to steer the team on an improved course after enjoying success alongside Quinn.
"Some of the best football that I've played has been under Dan," Ryan said. "I've learned a lot from him in terms of leadership and what it means to be a good teammate. Really appreciated his time here and my time spent with him (and) certainly wish him the best with everything he has going for him going forward."
Atlanta may be operating against an undermanned Vikings offense Sunday. Running back Dalvin Cook rushed for 65 yards and a touchdown against Seattle before departing in the third quarter with an abductor strain. Second-year back Alexander Mattison kept the ground game churning, rushing 20 times for a career-best 112 yards.
Zimmer said that an MRI exam on Cook Monday "went pretty well." Cook didn't practice Wednesday.
Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones was held out of Wednesday's practice with a hamstring injury after missing the team's Week 5 loss to Carolina with the ailment. Atlanta may be calling on its defensive line depth against the Vikings, as well. Defensive tackle Grady Jarrett (back) and defensive ends Dante Fowler Jr. (ankle) and Takk McKinley (groin) were limited in practice.
Jaylinn Hawkins also was held out of the team's first practice under Morris, as the strong safety remains in concussion protocol.
--Field Level Media
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Atlanta Falcons
Minnesota Vikings
Player | Position | Lineup |
---|---|---|
Ricardo Allen | primary: Safety | Starter |
James Carpenter | primary: Left Guard | Starter |
Tyeler Davison | primary: Defensive Tackle | Starter |
Grady Jarrett | primary: Defensive Tackle | Starter |
Deion Jones | primary: Linebacker | Starter |
Julio Jones | primary: Wide Receiver | Starter |
Chris Lindstrom | primary: Right Guard | Starter |
Alex Mack | primary: Center | Starter |
Jake Matthews | primary: Left Tackle | Starter |
Kaleb McGary | primary: Right Tackle | Starter |
Keanu Neal | primary: Safety | Starter |
Foyesade Oluokun | primary: Linebacker | Starter |
Calvin Ridley | primary: Wide Receiver | Starter |
Matt Ryan | primary: Quarterback | Starter |
Kendall Sheffield | primary: Cornerback | Starter |
Hayden Hurst | primary: Tight End | Starter |
Dante Fowler Jr. | primary: Defensive End | Starter |
Todd Gurley | primary: Halfback | Starter |
A.J. Terrell | primary: Defensive Back | Starter |
Mykal Walker | primary: Linebacker | Starter |
Charles Harris | primary: Defensive End | Starter |
Luke Stocker | primary: Tight End | Starter |
Allen Bailey | primary: Defensive End | Substitution |
Christian Blake | primary: Wide Receiver | Substitution |
Russell Gage | primary: Wide Receiver | Substitution |
Matt Gono | primary: Offensive Tackle | Substitution |
Jaeden Graham | primary: Tight End | Substitution |
Josh Harris | primary: Long Snapper | Substitution |
Brian Hill | primary: Runningback | Substitution |
Younghoe Koo | primary: Kicker | Substitution |
Steven Means | primary: Defensive End | Substitution |
Isaiah Oliver | primary: Cornerback | Substitution |
Brandon Powell | primary: Wide Receiver | Substitution |
Deadrin Senat | primary: Defensive Tackle | Substitution |
Ito Smith | primary: Runningback | Substitution |
Jacob Tuioti-Mariner | primary: Defensive Tackle | Substitution |
Olamide Zaccheaus | primary: Wide Receiver | Substitution |
Keith Smith | primary: Fullback | Substitution |
Sharrod Neasman | primary: Safety | Substitution |
Blidi Wreh-Wilson | primary: Cornerback | Substitution |
LaRoy Reynolds | primary: Linebacker | Substitution |
Edmond Robinson | primary: Linebacker | Substitution |
Matt Hennessy | primary: Offensive Linesman | Substitution |
Sterling Hofrichter | primary: Punter | Substitution |
Tyler Hall | primary: Defensive Back | Substitution |
Takkarist McKinley | primary: Defensive End | Not active |
Jordan Miller | primary: Cornerback | Not active |
Qadree Ollison | primary: Runningback | Not active |
Matt Schaub | primary: Quarterback | Did not play |
John Wetzel | primary: Offensive Tackle | Not active |
Justin McCray | primary: Guard | Did not play |
Jaylinn Hawkins | primary: Safety | Not active |
Chris Slayton | primary: Defensive Tackle | Did not play |
Player | Position | Lineup |
---|---|---|
Garrett Bradbury | primary: Center | Starter |
Kirk Cousins | primary: Quarterback | Starter |
Anthony Harris | primary: Free Safety | Starter |
Jaleel Johnson | primary: Defensive Tackle | Starter |
Eric Kendricks | primary: Middle Linebacker | Starter |
Alexander Mattison | primary: Halfback | Starter |
Brian O'Neill | primary: Right Tackle | Starter |
Ifeadi Odenigbo | primary: Left End | Starter |
Riley Reiff | primary: Left Tackle | Starter |
Kyle Rudolph | primary: Tight End | Starter |
Irv Smith Jr. | primary: Tight End | Starter |
Harrison Smith | primary: Strong Safety | Starter |
Shamar Stephen | primary: Nose Tackle | Starter |
Adam Thielen | primary: Wide Receiver | Starter |
Eric Wilson | primary: Weak Linebacker | Starter |
Dakota Dozier | primary: Left Guard | Starter |
Justin Jefferson | primary: Wide Receiver | Starter |
Jeff Gladney | primary: Cornerback | Starter |
Ezra Cleveland | primary: Right Guard | Starter |
Cameron Dantzler | primary: Cornerback | Starter |
Yannick Ngakoue | primary: Right End | Starter |
Todd Davis | primary: Linebacker | Starter |
Chad Beebe | primary: Wide Receiver | Substitution |
Mike Boone | primary: Runningback | Substitution |
Tyler Conklin | primary: Tight End | Substitution |
Austin Cutting | primary: Long Snapper | Substitution |
C.J. Ham | primary: Fullback | Substitution |
Jalyn Holmes | primary: Defensive End | Substitution |
Mike Hughes | primary: Cornerback | Substitution |
Bisi Johnson | primary: Wide Receiver | Substitution |
Brett Jones | primary: Center | Substitution |
Oli Udoh | primary: Offensive Tackle | Substitution |
Armon Watts | primary: Defensive Tackle | Substitution |
Britton Colquitt | primary: Punter | Substitution |
Dan Bailey | primary: Kicker | Substitution |
Rashod Hill | primary: Offensive Tackle | Substitution |
Ameer Abdullah | primary: Runningback | Substitution |
D.J. Wonnum | primary: Defensive End | Substitution |
James Lynch | primary: Defensive Tackle | Substitution |
Harrison Hand | primary: Cornerback | Substitution |
Josh Metellus | primary: Safety | Substitution |
Dan Chisena | primary: Wide Receiver | Substitution |
Ryan Connelly | primary: Linebacker | Substitution |
Hardy Nickerson | primary: Linebacker | Substitution |
George Iloka | primary: Safety | Substitution |
Kris Boyd | primary: Cornerback | Not active |
Dalvin Cook | primary: Runningback | Not active |
Holton Hill | primary: Cornerback | Not active |
Dru Samia | primary: Guard | Not active |
Sean Mannion | primary: Quarterback | Did not play |
Tajae Sharpe | primary: Wide Receiver | Did not play |
K.J. Osborn | primary: Wide Receiver | Not active |
Jordan Brailford | primary: Defensive End | Did not play |
Atlanta Falcons
Minnesota Vikings
- Match Start
- Period 1
-
MIN 3
- scoring-play
- Field Goal
- 50 Yards
- FG Kicker: Younghoe Koo
-
MIN 12
- scoring-play
- Touchdown
- Pass
- 20 Yards
- Passer: Matt Ryan
- Pass Receiver: Julio Jones
- Conv Kicker: Younghoe Koo
- Period 2
-
MIN 0
- scoring-play
- Field Goal
- 21 Yards
- FG Kicker: Younghoe Koo
-
MIN 1
- scoring-play
- Touchdown
- Pass
- 8 Yards
- Conv Kicker: Younghoe Koo
- Pass Receiver: Calvin Ridley
- Passer: Matt Ryan
- Period 3
-
MIN 2
- scoring-play
- Touchdown
- Pass
- 40 Yards
- Pass Receiver: Julio Jones
- Conv Kicker: Younghoe Koo
- Passer: Matt Ryan
-
MIN 6
- scoring-play
- Touchdown
- Pass
- 11 Yards
- Pass Receiver: Justin Jefferson
- Passer: Kirk Cousins
- Conv Kicker: Dan Bailey
-
MIN 10
- scoring-play
- Field Goal
- 47 Yards
- FG Kicker: Younghoe Koo
- Period 4
-
MIN 1
- scoring-play
- Touchdown
- Pass
- 49 Yards
- Conv Receiver: Justin Jefferson
- Conv Passer: Kirk Cousins
- Pass Receiver: Justin Jefferson
- Passer: Kirk Cousins
-
MIN 2
- scoring-play
- Touchdown
- Pass
- 35 Yards
- Pass Receiver: Hayden Hurst
- Conv Kicker: Younghoe Koo
- Passer: Matt Ryan
-
MIN 3
- scoring-play
- Touchdown
- Pass
- 2 Yards
- Conv Passer: Kirk Cousins
- Conv Receiver: Irv Smith Jr.
- Passer: Kirk Cousins
- Pass Receiver: Adam Thielen
-
MIN 7
- scoring-play
- Field Goal
- 43 Yards
- FG Kicker: Younghoe Koo
- Match End
GAMES
Last 10
- @Tampa Bay L 27 - 44
- @Kansas City L 14 - 17
- Tampa Bay L 31 - 27
- @L.A. Chargers L 17 - 20
- New Orleans L 21 - 16
- Las Vegas W 6 - 43
- @New Orleans L 9 - 24
- Denver W 27 - 34
- @Carolina W 25 - 17
- Detroit L 23 - 22
- @Detroit W 37 - 35
- @New Orleans L 33 - 52
- Chicago L 33 - 27
- @Tampa Bay L 14 - 26
- Jacksonville W 24 - 27
- Carolina W 27 - 28
- Dallas L 31 - 28
- @Chicago W 19 - 13
- Detroit W 20 - 34
- @Green Bay W 28 - 22
Last Meetings
American Football Conference
AFC East | W | L | D | PRC | GB | HOME | AWAY | PA | ST | L10 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Buffalo Bills | 13 | 3 | 0 | .813 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 7-1 | 6-2 | 9-0-1 |
Miami Dolphins | 10 | 6 | 0 | .625 | 3.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 5-3 | 5-3 | 7-0-3 |
New England Patriots | 7 | 9 | 0 | .438 | 6.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 5-3 | 2-6 | 5-0-5 |
New York Jets | 2 | 14 | 0 | .125 | 11.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1-7 | 1-7 | 2-0-8 |
AFC North | W | L | D | PRC | GB | HOME | AWAY | PA | ST | L10 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pittsburgh Steelers | 12 | 4 | 0 | .750 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 7-1 | 5-3 | 6-0-4 |
Baltimore Ravens | 11 | 5 | 0 | .688 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 5-3 | 6-2 | 6-0-4 |
Cleveland Browns | 11 | 5 | 0 | .688 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 6-2 | 5-3 | 7-0-3 |
Cincinnati Bengals | 4 | 11 | 1 | .267 | 7.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 3-5 | 1-6 | 3-1-7 |
AFC South | W | L | D | PRC | GB | HOME | AWAY | PA | ST | L10 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Indianapolis Colts | 11 | 5 | 0 | .688 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 6-2 | 5-3 | 7-0-3 |
Tennessee Titans | 11 | 5 | 0 | .688 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 5-3 | 6-2 | 6-0-4 |
Houston Texans | 4 | 12 | 0 | .250 | 7.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 2-6 | 2-6 | 3-0-7 |
Jacksonville Jaguars | 1 | 15 | 0 | .063 | 10.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1-7 | 0-8 | 1-0-10 |
AFC West | W | L | D | PRC | GB | HOME | AWAY | PA | ST | L10 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Kansas City Chiefs | 14 | 2 | 0 | .875 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 6-2 | 8-0 | 9-0-1 |
Las Vegas Raiders | 8 | 8 | 0 | .500 | 6.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 2-6 | 6-2 | 5-0-5 |
Los Angeles Chargers | 7 | 9 | 0 | .438 | 7.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 4-4 | 3-5 | 5-0-5 |
Denver Broncos | 5 | 11 | 0 | .313 | 9.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 2-6 | 3-5 | 3-0-7 |
National Football Conference
NFC East | W | L | D | PRC | GB | HOME | AWAY | PA | ST | L10 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Washington Football Team | 7 | 9 | 0 | .438 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 3-5 | 4-4 | 6-0-4 |
Dallas Cowboys | 6 | 10 | 0 | .375 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 4-4 | 2-6 | 4-0-6 |
New York Giants | 6 | 10 | 0 | .375 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 3-5 | 3-5 | 5-0-5 |
Philadelphia Eagles | 4 | 11 | 1 | .267 | 2.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 3-4 | 1-7 | 3-1-7 |
NFC North | W | L | D | PRC | GB | HOME | AWAY | PA | ST | L10 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Green Bay Packers | 13 | 3 | 0 | .813 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 7-1 | 6-2 | 8-0-2 |
Chicago Bears | 8 | 8 | 0 | .500 | 5.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 3-5 | 5-3 | 3-0-7 |
Minnesota Vikings | 7 | 9 | 0 | .438 | 6.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 3-5 | 4-4 | 6-0-4 |
Detroit Lions | 5 | 11 | 0 | .313 | 8.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1-7 | 4-4 | 2-0-8 |
NFC South | W | L | D | PRC | GB | HOME | AWAY | PA | ST | L10 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
New Orleans Saints | 12 | 4 | 0 | .750 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 6-2 | 6-2 | 8-0-2 |
Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 11 | 5 | 0 | .688 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 5-3 | 6-2 | 7-0-3 |
Carolina Panthers | 5 | 11 | 0 | .313 | 7.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 2-6 | 3-5 | 2-0-8 |
Atlanta Falcons | 4 | 12 | 0 | .250 | 8.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 2-6 | 2-6 | 3-0-7 |
NFC West | W | L | D | PRC | GB | HOME | AWAY | PA | ST | L10 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Seattle Seahawks | 12 | 4 | 0 | .750 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 7-1 | 5-3 | 7-0-3 |
Los Angeles Rams | 10 | 6 | 0 | .625 | 2.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 6-2 | 4-4 | 6-0-4 |
Arizona Cardinals | 8 | 8 | 0 | .500 | 4.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 4-4 | 4-4 | 4-0-6 |
San Francisco 49ers | 6 | 10 | 0 | .375 | 6.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1-7 | 5-3 | 3-0-7 |
Last Injuries
Trends
Minnesota Trends
- TrendOver is 7-1 in Vikings last 8 games as a favorite of 0.5-3.0.Hit %87.50% (8)O/U7|1Push0W/L
- TrendUnder is 5-2 in Vikings last 7 games as a home underdog.Hit %71.40% (7)O/U2|5Push0W/L
- TrendUnder is 11-1 in Vikings last 12 games as a home favorite of 10.5 or greater.Hit %91.70% (12)O/U1|11Push0W/L
- TrendUnder is 4-1 in Vikings last 5 games as a home underdog of 0.5-3.0.Hit %80.00% (5)O/U1|4Push0W/L
Atlanta Trends
- TrendOver is 7-2 in Falcons last 9 games as an underdog of 10.5 or greater.Hit %77.80% (9)O/U7|2Push0W/L
- TrendOver is 4-0 in Falcons last 4 games as a road underdog of 0.5-3.0.Hit %100.00% (4)O/U4|0Push0W/L
- TrendOver is 4-1 in Falcons last 5 games as a favorite of 0.5-3.0.Hit %80.00% (5)O/U7|1Push0W/L
- TrendUnder is 38-16-1 in Falcons last 55 games as a road underdog of 3.5-10.0.Hit %70.40% (55)O/U16|38Push1W/L
Meetings Trends
- TrendUnder is 7-1 in the last 8 meetings.Hit %87.50% (8)O/U1|7Push0W/L
- TrendFalcons are 0-4-1 ATS in their last 5 meetings.Hit %0.00% (5)O/UPush1W/L0|4
- TrendUnderdog is 4-1-1 ATS in their last 6 meetings.Hit %80.00% (6)O/UPush1W/L1|4