Scouting Falcons vs Vikings matchup with The Viking Age

Atlanta Falcons will take on the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday. We sent some questions over to our friends at FanSided’s The Viking Age ahead of the game.

The Atlanta Falcons will face the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday. This Week 13 matchup is virtually a must win for the Falcons, who are in a fight to maintain an NFC playoff spot. If Atlanta can manage to defeat this dominate Vikings team, their victory will be a notice to all other NFL teams that the Falcons are legit. However, if the Falcons lose on Sunday, chances of them making the playoffs lessen considerably.

Before Sunday’s kickoff, we had an opportunity to ask Site-Expert Adam Carlson of FanSided’s The Viking Age about the Vikings and his thoughts on their matchup with the Falcons.

"Blogging Dirty (BD): The Minnesota Vikings have been absolutely impressive on both sides of the ball this season. Their defense is an absolute juggernaut. What has impressed you most about this 2017 Vikings team?"

"Adam Carlson (AC): This is going to sound a little cocky, but the defense is no surprise at all. Mike Zimmer has been grooming this defense to be absolutely amazing by drafting young, raw players and bringing out the best in them. The most impressive thing about the Vikings this year is the passing offense. Last year, Minnesota had one of the worst offensive lines in the NFL and had to rework the entire unit this offseason, With no starters returning to their previous positions, the unit has been able to protect Case Keenum well this year, and Case has been impressive as well!"

"BD: In what areas could the Vikings improve?"

"AC: Minnesota needs that killer instinct. They can put a lot of points on the board and limit big plays, but they always seem content to sit on leads and let opponents back into games instead of doing whatever it takes to put a game away. One of these weeks, that tendency is going to come back to bite the Vikings, but it hopefully won’t be that way anytime soon. Or maybe I would like it to happen soon so it doesn’t happen in the playoffs. Either way, this is something that should scare fans in Minnesota."

"BD: The Vikings defeated the Atlanta Falcons when they last met in 2015 (Falcons head coach Dan Quinn’s first season in Atlanta). But this is a different Falcons team. Which Atlanta player or players concern you the most?"

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"AC: If Julio Jones doesn’t scare you, nobody will. His size and physical ability are scary enough, but his work ethic pushes it all over the top. Minnesota has found success in the past by matching him up against cornerback Xavier Rhodes, but the two seem to have developed some kind of rivalry that should be amazing to watch on Sunday. However, focusing too much on Julio will open other Atlanta pass catchers, so defending against the Falcons in the passing game is going to be the biggest challenge."

"BD: From what you know of the Falcons this season, what area or areas would you consider they are weakest in?"

"AC: I’ll be honest and say that I haven’t watched a lot of Falcons games this year. Since I do both The Viking Age and Undead Walking, I don’t have a lot of time to watch other games. However, I have watched enough to know that the Falcons can have the ball run on them. Everyone should fully expect Minnesota to use a combination of Jerick McKinnon and Latavius Murray behind a group of strong run blockers to wear down the Falcons defense and open up big plays in the passing game."

"BD: What is your final score prediction for Sunday’s matchup?"

"AC: On The Viking Age, I made the prediction that this will be the Vikings hardest fought game this season. Minnesota will do their best to contain Atlanta, but the Falcons are bound to get some big plays during the contest. This one will come down to the last few minutes, but I do think it’s the Vikings who will hold on to get a big win on the road by a final score of 31-27."

The Falcons have lost to the Vikings in their previous two meetings. Perhaps their third meeting will end differently? If Atlanta wants to win, they are going to have to play their best game of the season thus far.

Next: Three Ways the Minnesota Vikings Could Exploit the Atlanta Falcons

Thank you to Adam and our friends at The Viking Age for their time! See you Sunday!