For whatever reason, no one wanted to flex this one into a national game so maybe the best contest of the weekend is still sitting at 1 p.m. EST when the Minnesota Vikings (9-2) travel to Mercedes-Benz Stadium to take on the suddenly relevant Atlanta Falcons (7-4).
The game will be bounced into your retinas via the FOX television network.
The Game: Minnesota Vikings at Atlanta Falcons (-3)
O/U: 47.0
The History
The Vikings and Falcons have faced off against each other 29 times since 1966 with Minnesota holding an 18-11 advantage in the all time series.
The two teams last played on November 29, 2015 with the Falcons winning 20-10 at the Georgia Dome.
MINNESOTA VIKINGS (9-2)
After the Los Angeles Rams knocked off the New Orleans Saints last Sunday, the Minnesota Vikings have the current longest win steak in the NFL. Minnesota has won its last seven games. Case Keenum was again spectacular in a 30-23 victory over the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving. He completed 21 of 30 passes for 282 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions. Keenum takes care of the ball, works his outlets when he needs to and will give Minnesota plenty to think about in the off-season when it comes to keeping either him or Teddy Bridgewater. Nobody thought that was a possibility back in August. Trust me.
What looked like wasted money in the preseason turned out to be a sound investment in free agent running back Latavius Murray. Murray, of course, was signed to be the starter before the Vikings drafted Dalvin Cook out of Florida State. Cook was on his way to a terrific rookie season when he blew out his knee, handing the wheel back to Murray. Last week, the former Oakland Raiders back rushed 20 times for 84 yards and a touchdown.
Adam Thielen continues to give your racist uncle a legitimate reason to call him his favorite NFL player. He caught eight passes for 89 yards. Stefon Diggs had five catches for 66 yards and Kyle Rudolph caught four passes for 63 yards and two touchdowns.
The only guy on Minnesota’s injury report that hasn’t practiced this week is offensive tackle Mike Remmers. I don’t expect him to play. Everybody else should suit up.
ATLANTA FALCONS (7-4)
The Falcons will be without the services of cornerback Desmond Trufant. He’s still in the NFL’s concussion protocol. Linebacker Sean Weatherspoon is questionable with an illness and hasn’t practiced this week. He’ll likely be a game time decision. The good news for his fantasy football owners, Devonta Freeman is nowhere near the injury list. He’ll play.
The struggle has been real for the Falcons to stay alive in the NFC playoff race this season. They’ve managed to come back from the dead with three consecutive wins. These victories can’t just be handwaved either as two of them were over the Dallas Cowboys and Seattle Seahawks.
Last week, Atlanta took out the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 34-20 in the same stadium in which this game will be played. The Bucs’ defensive backs are going to have nightmares about Julio Jones all winter long after he caught 12 passes for 253 yards and two touchdowns. It was easily Matt Ryan’s best game of the season, even though he only tossed one of the TD passes. Ryan was 26 of 35 for 317 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions. He wasn’t sacked at all.
The other TD came from Mohamed Sanu who tossed a 51-yard strike to Jones. Here’s a fun fact; Sanu is now 6-for-6 passing in his career for 228 yards and three touchdowns with a perfect quarterback rating of 158.3.
The Pick
Listen, I’ve learned my lesson and it might bite me in the ass here. I’ve picked against the Vikings for the last three consecutive weeks and they’ve fed it to me sideways. On paper, this looks like the perfect game for them to drop. It’s on the road and Atlanta has the offensive weapons to give Minnesota’s elite defense pause. Still, I’m not picking against the Vikings for now. If it costs me, it costs me. Vikings 27, Falcons 24
This week
Straight up: 1-0
Against the spread: 1-0
Last week
Straight up: 11-5
Against the spread: 10-6
Season
Straight up: 104-72
Against the spread: 91-85
To make a wager on any sport, go to the world famous Diamond Sportsbook by clicking here.
