Atlanta, GA- Week one of the 2019 NFL season is finally here, and the Atlanta Falcons open up their campaign on the road in Minnesota with a difficult test against the Vikings.
Facing one another in Minnesota for the first time since 2014, the Falcons and Vikings could showcase one of the best matchups of opening weekend, as both rosters display a ton of talent on both sides of the ball.
Falcons head coach Dan Quinn spoke about the matchup with the Vikings saying, “It’ll be a good tough road matchup right off the bat. They’ve got a fantastic crowd that’s into it and tuned up all the time. We’ve been impressed by what we’ve seen. Throughout the years, defensively, they’ve always been really strong there with George [Edwards] and with Mike [Zimmer] in charge that way.”
Looking to bounce back after a disappointing 7-9 record last season’s injury-riddled year, the Falcons are finally at full strength and plan to get back on track with hopes of making a playoff run out of the NFC South.
On offense, Atlanta has a familiar name returning to call the plays, as offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter returns to the Falcons for his second stint as the OC.
Taking snaps for Koetter is former MVP quarterback Matt Ryan, who returns for his 12th NFL season in Atlanta. Despite the team record from last year, Ryan had a great season personally, throwing for 35 touchdowns and just seven interceptions, while almost reaching the 5,000-yard mark for the first time in his career.
The Boston College product will have to navigate a physical Vikings defense and says they will have to find a way to match their physicality saying, “Well, number one, they play physical across the board. Defensive line, second-level, secondary, they all play physical. They’re solid tacklers. They do a nice job within their pressure package. They give you a bunch of different looks, stress your protections. We’ve got to be on top of that.” He continued, “They attempt to make you uncomfortable. We’ve got to do our best to be on top of our game plan and try and neutralize some of the things that they do well.”
Ryan will have a talented set of receivers to target, highlighted by star wideout Julio Jones, who will take the field for the first time this season after not playing in any of the Falcon’s preseason games. Jones will matchup with Vikings cornerback Xavier Rhodes, and he spoke about the matchup saying, “You know, a hard-fought battle. He’s a guy that comes to work every day. Great competitor. Very long. He plays the game the right way. I love playing against him as well. He’s a good cornerback to me as well.”
Jones versus Rhodes will be the matchup to key in on, and if the Falcons are going to win on Sunday, they will need their receivers to win their one on one matchups to put up points.
On defense, Atlanta will go up against another new offensive coordinator, as the Vikings hired Gary Kubiak over the offseason. The Falcons are getting back some key contributors from season-ending injuries in 2018 and will need all of them at their best on Sunday to slow down an impressive Minnesota offense.
Returning from injury are safeties Keanu Neal and Ricardo Allen, and linebacker Deion Jones. Neal and Allen participated in the preseason, but like Julio Jones on offense, Deion will see the field for the first time this year on Sunday.
Coach Quinn talked about his excitement to get Deion back saying, “To see Deion [Jones] back, an interception yesterday, the speed that he plays with, it just jumps out to you on tape. It’s been good to have him back in the scheme for a few weeks to make sure he had his details down, his communication with the guys down. That was a big piece because he didn’t get the offseason work due to his injury too. It’s good to have him back.”
Atlanta’s defense will have to find a way to slow down the Vikings, who feature two talented receivers in Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs, running back Dalvin Cook, and quarterback Kirk Cousins.
This is a big test for an Atlanta team that has a lot of unknowns after their disappointing 2018 season. If they can answer the question marks and return to their level of play from 2017, they have a chance to beat this Vikings team. I believe this will be a high-scoring game, but because there is so much we don’t know about the Falcons until we see them in action, I think the Vikings will prove to just be too much this early in the season.
Prediction: Minnesota 30 – Atlanta 20
Written by Brian Pohl
