Atlanta Falcons vs. Minnesota Vikings: Tale of the tape

Nov 22, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) attempts a pass in the first quarter of their game against the Indianapolis Colts at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

The Atlanta Falcons host the Minnesota Vikings in Week 12, with both teams aiming to move a step closer to a playoff berth. How do the two teams match up?

You like big games? This is the biggest game of the season for the Atlanta Falcons, and it could determine the direction the team is heading in for the remainder of the season. Win, and the Falcons are back on track in the hunt for a playoff berth. Lose, and it becomes that much more difficult.

Mathematically, a loss to Minnesota wouldn’t rule out playoffs. Far from it. If Seattle and Tampa Bay lose, the result in the Atlanta game makes no difference; the Falcons would remain the sixth seed. But a loss would be the Falcons’ fifth in six games, and that’s tough to bounce back from.

December football is where it matters most, and the month of December starts a couple of days early for the Atlanta Falcons. How do these two teams stack up?

Next: The coaches