Falcons vs Vikings – Five Falcons That Need To Perform

Heading into this weekend there are a few Falcons players that will need step up for the Falcons to be victorious. Here are five Falcons that will be crucial in deciding the fate of the Falcons – Vikings encounter on Sunday afternoon.

• CB Chris Owens – Chris Owens is probably the most ridiculed Falcon of the past few years. With Kelvin Hayden out for this game, Owens will get a significant amount of snaps and a chance to prove himself. It is amazing how well he played in his rookie year, I hope he can just get a bit of confidence by playing on Sunday and start to get back to that level.

• CB Dominique Franks – Another Corner the Falcons will have to rely on especially if Brent Grimes in unable to go (He is listed as questionable). Franks has been getting a significant amount of snaps in practice this week at nickel and may start at that spot.
• LT Will Svitek – Svitek has been excellent in relief for Sam Baker, and looks set to start again this week, with Baker listed as questionable. The reason he needs to perform is that he is matched up against Vikings DE Jared Allen, who has been an absolute beast so far this season. If Svitek can prevent Allen from getting a sack, the Left Tackle job should be his for the rest of the year.
• DE Ray Edwards – Against his former team, he shouldn’t lack any motivation. I want to see him step up and get a few sacks today against a below average offensive line. While he hasn’t been very productive in the sack column, he has excelled against the run. Check out my analysis of why the Atlanta Falcon pass rush has been so ineffective?
• FS Thomas DeCoud – With speedy Percy Harvin on the opposite side of the field, DeCoud’s positioning must be excellent so he isn’t exposed and give up the big play.