For a second consecutive week, the Vikings will play an opponent from the NFC South. This week, it will be the Atlanta Falcons and the game will be at home, with kickoff slated for 3:25 p.m. CT. The Falcons are an uncommon opponent for the Vikings and this is their first visit to Minnesota since 2008.
There is plenty more to know about the Falcons. Here are the basics…
Look back on images from past games between the Vikings and the Falcons.
2014 Record:2-1
Last Week:Defeated Tampa Bay 56-14 on Thursday Night Football
Division:NFC South (tied for 1st place)
Coaching StaffHead Coach: Mike Smith
Defensive Coordinator: Mike Nolan
Offensive Coordinator: Dirk Koetter
Special Teams Coordinator: Keith Armstrong
Team LeadersPassing: QB Matt Ryan – 965 yards
Rushing: RB Steven Jackson – 152 yards
Receiving: WR Julio Jones – 23 receptions, 365 yards, 3 TDs
Tackling: LB Paul Worrilow – 35 tackles
Sacks: Three with 1.0 each
INTs: Two with 1 each
Kickoff Return: Devin Hester – 28.0 yards/return
Punt Return: Devin Hester – 15.2 yards/return
Defense-- Has started games in both 4-3 and 3-4 fronts
-- Ranks tied for 16th in offensive points allowed (21.7)
-- Ranks 14th vs. pass (91.7 passer rating allowed) and 17th vs. the run (4.1 yds/att)
-- Ranks tied for 3rd in takeaways (7) and tied for 27th in sacks (3)
-- DT Ra'Shede Hageman played for the University of Minnesota
Offense-- Ranks 1st in passing yards, 1st in yards/attempt, 4th in passing TDs, 5th in completions
-- QB Matt Ryan has a 105.1 passer rating with 7 TDs and just 3 INTs through 3 games
-- Over his last 16 games, WR Julio Jones has 113 receptions for 1,648 yards and 12 TDs
-- LT Jake Matthews was the No. 6 overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft
Special Teams-- Last week vs. Tampa Bay, Devin Hester logged his 20th return TD, setting a new NFL record
-- In 163 career games, K Matt Bryant has converted 257 of 308 FGs (83.4 pct.), with a long of 62 yards
-- Atlanta has 11 touchbacks in 17 kickoffs (64.7%)
