The Vikings have one game left before their Week 7 bye and are looking to go into the break with some momentum.
Minnesota is scheduled to host Atlanta at noon (CT) Sunday from U.S. Bank Stadium. The Falcons are 0-5 and relieved their general manager and head coach of their duties after Week 5.
The Falcons named Raheem Morris as the interim head coach. Assistant Head Coach/Linebackers Jeff Ulbrich has been promoted to defensive coordinator, and running backs coach Bernie Parmalee was promoted to replace Ben Kotwica as special teams coordinator. Will Harriger was shifted to coach running backs.
Let's see who the experts are picking to win the game:
Vikings 34, Falcons 24 — Gregg Rosenthal, NFL.com
The Vikings are the opposite of the suspect 4-1 Bears, one of the better 1-4 teams in recent memory. While Mike Zimmer's defense is slowly improving, Gary Kubiak's offense is a dangerous combination of great zone blocking and big plays through the air. That should be plenty to dispose of the winless Falcons even if Dalvin Cook is out. Atlanta interim coach Raheem Morris galvanized the Falcons defense as a play-caller late last year, but there's little reason to think he can stall Matt Ryan's gradual decline.
With the Falcons working remotely on Thursday due to a positive COVID-19 test, this game's status merits monitoring. But as of publishing, NFL Vice President of Communications Brian McCarthy says there's no scheduling change.
Vikings 27, Falcons 26 — Pete Prisco, CBS Sports
Raheem Morris takes over as Falcons coach with the firing of Dan Quinn. Can he bring some life to this team? The defense is woeful, and now must face a Vikings offense that can run it, even without Dalvin Cook. The Vikings are home for the first time in two weeks and they will find a way to win this one. It might be closer than expected.
View photos of the Vikings during practice as they prepare to take on the Falcons at TCO Performance Center on Oct. 15.
Vikings 29, Falcons 27 — Bill Bender, Sporting News
The Falcons fired Dan Quinn after a 0-5 start, and the Vikings might be without Dalvin Cook (groin). Both defenses give up more than 30 points per game, but the Vikings ride Alexander Mattison to victory here in a close one.
Vikings 28, Falcons 13 — Michael David Smith, Pro Football Talk
The Falcons problems go far beyond Head Coach Dan Quinn, and firing him isn't going to fix much.
Vikings 31, Falcons 20 — Mike Florio, Pro Football Talk
Sometimes, going with an interim coach makes a team instantly better. Sometimes, it doesn't.
Pre-game win probabilities: Vikings 66% — FiveThirtyEight.com
5 of 8 experts pick the Vikings, CBS Sports
6 of 7 experts pick the Vikings, USA TODAY Sports
6 of 6 experts pick the Vikings, The MMQB
9 of 10 experts pick the Vikings, ESPN
