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ATLANTA
MINNESOTA |
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Final
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| 269 | ATLANTA | -3 | -3 | | 270 | MINNESOTA | 47 | 47 |
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| All Games | 2-1 | +1.3 | 2-1 | 2-1 | 34.3 | 16.0 | 455.0 | (7) | 2.7 | 24.0 | 10.0 | 387.0 | (6) | 2.3 | | Road Games | 0-1 | -1 | 0-1 | 0-1 | 10.0 | 3.0 | 309.0 | (4.9) | 3.0 | 24.0 | 10.0 | 472.0 | (6.8) | 0.0 | | Last 3 Games | 2-1 | +1.3 | 2-1 | 2-1 | 34.3 | 16.0 | 455.0 | (7) | 2.7 | 24.0 | 10.0 | 387.0 | (6) | 2.3 | | Turf Games | 0-1 | -1 | 0-1 | 0-1 | 10.0 | 3.0 | 309.0 | (4.9) | 3.0 | 24.0 | 10.0 | 472.0 | (6.8) | 0.0 |
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| Offense (All Games) | 34.3 | 16.0 | 24.3 | 30:19 | 27-121 | (4.5) | 26-38 | 68.7% | 334 | (8.7) | 65-455 | (7) | (13.3) | | Opponents Defensive Avg. | 22.2 | 10 | 21.8 | 30:24 | 27-113 | (4.2) | 24-38 | 63.2% | 260 | (6.8) | 65-373 | (5.7) | (16.8) | | Offense Road Games | 10.0 | 3.0 | 19.0 | 27:01 | 19-97 | (5.1) | 24-44 | 54.5% | 212 | (4.8) | 63-309 | (4.9) | (30.9) | | Defense (All Games) | 24.0 | 10.0 | 20.3 | 30:15 | 30-124 | (4.1) | 22-34 | 65.7% | 263 | (7.7) | 64-387 | (6) | (16.1) | | Opponents Offensive Avg. | 22.6 | 10.4 | 21.1 | 30:47 | 28-123 | (4.4) | 22-33 | 67.7% | 236 | (7.1) | 61-359 | (5.9) | (15.9) | | Defense Road Games | 24.0 | 10.0 | 21.0 | 32:59 | 45-170 | (3.8) | 16-24 | 66.7% | 302 | (12.6) | 69-472 | (6.8) | (19.7) |
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| Stats For (All Games) | 1.3 | 1.3 | 2.7 | -0.3 | 11-6 | 50.0% | 1-0 | 50.0% | 2-56 | (28) | 2-25 | (15.2) | 7-67 | | Opponents Avg. Stats Against | 0.8 | 0.7 | 1.4 | 1.3 | 13-6 | 42.5% | 1-1 | 66.7% | 2-57 | (25.6) | 14-2 | (7.6) | 6-58 | | Stats For (Road Games) | 3.0 | 0.0 | 3.0 | -3.0 | 12-3 | 25.0% | 2-1 | 50.0% | 4-118 | (29.5) | 1-7 | (7) | 7-56 | | Stats Against (All Games) | 0.7 | 1.7 | 2.3 | | 13-6 | 42.5% | 0-0 | 100.0% | 2-47 | (23.5) | 1-12 | (8.7) | 7-64 | | Opponents Avg. Stats For | 0.7 | 0.8 | 1.4 | | 12-6 | 45.9% | 0-0 | 50.0% | 2-43 | (24.4) | 16-1 | (11.7) | 5-45 | | Stats Against (Road Games) | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | | 14-6 | 42.9% | 0-0 | 0.0% | 1-29 | (29) | 3-26 | (8.7) | 7-55 |
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| All Games | 1-2 | -0.7 | 1-2 | 0-3 | 16.7 | 8.7 | 270.0 | (5) | 1.3 | 18.7 | 12.3 | 335.3 | (5.5) | 0.7 | | Home Games | 0-1 | -1 | 0-1 | 0-1 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 217.0 | (3.9) | 4.0 | 30.0 | 24.0 | 292.0 | (4.9) | 0.0 | | Last 3 Games | 1-2 | -0.7 | 1-2 | 0-3 | 16.7 | 8.7 | 270.0 | (5) | 1.3 | 18.7 | 12.3 | 335.3 | (5.5) | 0.7 | | Turf Games | 0-1 | -1 | 0-1 | 0-1 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 217.0 | (3.9) | 4.0 | 30.0 | 24.0 | 292.0 | (4.9) | 0.0 |
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| Offense (All Games) | 16.7 | 8.7 | 16.0 | 27:43 | 24-100 | (4.2) | 18-30 | 58.2% | 170 | (5.6) | 54-270 | (5) | (16.2) | | Opponents Defensive Avg. | 22.9 | 9.1 | 19.4 | 29:31 | 27-120 | (4.4) | 20-32 | 63.5% | 210 | (6.6) | 59-331 | (5.6) | (14.4) | | Offense Home Games | 7.0 | 7.0 | 17.0 | 28:26 | 19-54 | (2.8) | 19-36 | 52.8% | 163 | (4.5) | 55-217 | (3.9) | (31) | | Defense (All Games) | 18.7 | 12.3 | 19.3 | 32:17 | 30-110 | (3.6) | 22-31 | 71.0% | 225 | (7.3) | 61-335 | (5.5) | (18) | | Opponents Offensive Avg. | 22.2 | 14.2 | 22.3 | 32:41 | 29-116 | (4.1) | 25-38 | 67.0% | 247 | (6.6) | 66-364 | (5.5) | (16.4) | | Defense Home Games | 30.0 | 24.0 | 16.0 | 31:34 | 37-150 | (4.1) | 15-22 | 68.2% | 142 | (6.5) | 59-292 | (4.9) | (9.7) |
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| Stats For (All Games) | 1.3 | 0.0 | 1.3 | -0.7 | 12-4 | 35.1% | 0-0 | 0.0% | 3-72 | (24.1) | 2-9 | (4.7) | 6-54 | | Opponents Avg. Stats Against | 0.9 | 0.4 | 1.3 | 1.3 | 12-5 | 43.5% | 0-0 | 66.7% | 2-60 | (24.5) | 10-2 | (5.7) | 6-45 | | Stats For (Home Games) | 4.0 | 0.0 | 4.0 | -4.0 | 11-4 | 36.4% | 1-0 | 0.0% | 3-49 | (16.3) | 1-11 | (11) | 7-58 | | Stats Against (All Games) | 0.7 | 0.0 | 0.7 | | 14-6 | 43.9% | 0-0 | 0.0% | 0-9 | (26) | 3-31 | (9.3) | 11-105 | | Opponents Avg. Stats For | 0.7 | 0.7 | 1.3 | | 14-7 | 47.6% | 1-0 | 37.5% | 1-33 | (23.2) | 13-2 | (7.4) | 8-80 | | Stats Against (Home Games) | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | | 14-5 | 35.7% | 1-0 | 0.0% | 0-0 | (0) | 4-66 | (16.5) | 15-163 |
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| | Average power rating of opponents played: ATLANTA 21.3, MINNESOTA 23.7 |
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| 9/7/2014 | NEW ORLEANS | 37-34 | W | 3 | W | 51 | O | 25-123 | 31-43-445 | 1 | 28-139 | 29-42-333 | 2 | | 9/14/2014 | @ CINCINNATI | 10-24 | L | 6 | L | 49 | U | 19-97 | 24-44-212 | 3 | 45-170 | 16-24-302 | 0 | | 9/18/2014 | TAMPA BAY | 56-14 | W | -7 | W | 47 | O | 36-144 | 24-28-344 | 4 | 18-64 | 22-36-153 | 5 | | 9/28/2014 | @ MINNESOTA | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 10/5/2014 | @ NY GIANTS | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 10/12/2014 | CHICAGO | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 10/19/2014 | @ BALTIMORE | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 10/26/2014 | *DETROIT | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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| 9/7/2014 | @ ST LOUIS | 34-6 | W | 3 | W | 43.5 | U | 30-186 | 17-25-160 | 0 | 22-72 | 24-36-246 | 2 | | 9/14/2014 | NEW ENGLAND | 7-30 | L | 3 | L | 49 | U | 19-54 | 19-36-163 | 4 | 37-150 | 15-22-142 | 0 | | 9/21/2014 | @ NEW ORLEANS | 9-20 | L | 9.5 | L | 49.5 | U | 22-59 | 17-30-188 | 0 | 32-108 | 27-35-288 | 0 | | 9/28/2014 | ATLANTA | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 10/2/2014 | @ GREEN BAY | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 10/12/2014 | DETROIT | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 10/19/2014 | @ BUFFALO | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 10/26/2014 | @ TAMPA BAY | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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| |  | ATLANTA: The Falcons brought in long-time offensive line guru Mike Tice to try and revive their running game. He uses a scheme heavy in zone-blocking concepts, which should benefit the Falcons' relatively small front five. They'll likely try to keep Steven Jackson's workload reasonable during the regular season in order to keep him fresh for December and January. The No. 2 job will be an interesting battle between undersized veteran Jacquizz Rodgers, who will take a lot of passing-down snaps, and rookie Devonta Freeman, who fits the scheme well. Jackson will remain the primary runner in the red zone.
Offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter has always tried to utilize a lot of deep shots, though injuries sabotaged his game plan a year ago. A healthy Julio Jones working downfield will once again be Matt Ryan's top target, with Roddy White working more underneath and crossing routes. They'll go three-wide more often this season, with slot receiver Harry Douglas poised to take on a bigger role. Koetter usually features his tight end heavily, though he may have to change it up this year with Tony Gonzalez retired and replaced by raw second-year man Levine Toilolo. Koetter also uses a lot of screen work for his backs. Koetter usually relies on Ryan to make plays in the red zone by calling a lot of play-action. Jones took on a huge red-zone role last year before getting hurt.
The Falcons defense was a huge disappointment last season, as the unit placed among the bottom-six NFL teams in sacks, points allowed and total yards allowed. None of Atlanta's new starters via free agency (DE Tyson Jackson, DT Paul Soliai and FS Dwight Lowery) will make a big enough difference to make this an above-average unit. | | MINNESOTA: At every one of Norv Turner's stops, the offense has leaned on a power running game, and his first year as the Vikings' offensive coordinator will be no different. He retained offensive line coach Jeff Davidson, whose scheme skews toward more zone than gap blocking. Adrian Peterson will see a monstrous workload due to his club's uncertainty under center, not to mention the inclement weather they'll be playing in as they move outdoors to University of Minnesota's TCF Bank Stadium for 2014 and 2015 while their new stadium is being constructed. Expect the Vikings to also be one of the NFL's most run-heavy red zone teams.
Turner runs a classic Air Coryell, high-to-low passing game, one that should be relatively easy for rookie Teddy Bridgewater to pick up once he ascends to the top of the depth chart past incumbents Matt Cassel and Christian Ponder. They're going to carve out a bigger role for Cordarrelle Patterson, who has proven to be a catch-and-run threat, but he should also start working downfield more often. Patterson also proved to be a red-zone threat in limited chances last year. Greg Jennings will serve as the top downfield option and tight end Kyle Rudolph should have a big role as a possession receiver and an expanded role in the red zone. Peterson will also be worked into the passing game.
Free agents free safety Kurt Coleman and cornerbacks Captain Munnerlyn and Derek Cox were nice offseason additions. But new head coach Mike Zimmer and new defensive coordinator George Edwards don't have any superstar players to work with now that defensive end Jared Allen and his 128.5 career sacks are in rival Chicago. |
| | ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ PA SPORTSTICKER PRO FOOTBALL PREVIEW (ATLANTA-MINNESOTA) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(CORRECTS San Francisco to New Orleans in 12th graf)
*Falcons-Vikings Preview* =========================
By TOM CASTRO STATS Senior Editor
The Minnesota Vikings have lost starting quarterback Matt Cassel for the rest of the season, and they were already having trouble scoring when he played.
Cassel's departure comes just before a visit from the high-scoring Atlanta Falcons, though his replacement looked good in a limited audition last week.
The Vikings will move forward with highly touted rookie Teddy Bridgewater under center Sunday as they take on a Falcons team coming off a 56-point outburst.
Minnesota (1-2) found out Wednesday that Cassel is done for 2014 with broken bones in his left foot. The veteran, injured in last Sunday's 20-9 loss at New Orleans, had completed 57.1 percent of his passes with three touchdowns and four interceptions in three games.
With some shaky play from Cassel, a rushing attack that's missing star Adrian Peterson due to a child abuse charge and the absence of injured tight end Kyle Rudolph, the Vikings haven't had much success on offense recently. They opened with a 34-6 rout of St. Louis on Sept. 7 but have totaled 16 points in the past two weeks.
If there's reason for optimism, it's the performance of Bridgewater after he replaced Cassel against the Saints. The 32nd pick in the draft went 12 of 20 with no touchdowns or interceptions and ran for 27 yards as he led two field-goal drives, though he was sacked twice.
"A lot of poise for a rookie. I mean, an incredible amount, and he can throw the ball around the field," center John Sullivan said. "So we're excited."
Sullivan went even further in response to a question about the team's confidence in Bridgewater.
"We should win every single game we play with him at quarterback," he said.
That might require a career performance from Bridgewater in his starting debut. Banged-up Minnesota is allowing 18.7 points per game, ninth best in the league, but Atlanta (2-1) has the potential to bloat that number significantly.
Matt Ryan went 21 of 24 and threw three touchdowns, Kemal Ishmael returned an interception for a score and Devin Hester brought a punt back 62 yards for a TD as the Falcons pounded Tampa Bay 56-14 last Thursday.
Though the club struggled in a 24-10 loss at Cincinnati on Sept. 14, it opened the season with a 37-34 overtime victory over the Saints and leads the league with 34.3 points and 455.0 yards per game.
Atlanta didn't dwell long on the blowout, quickly turning its attention to Minnesota and the skill set Bridgewater possesses.
"They're going to base their offense off of what he can do well, which is obviously run and move around," linebacker Paul Worrilow said. "That's going to be something we're going to have to prepare for."
Falcons coach Mike Smith said his game plan for the Vikings changed with Cassel's injury.
"We've got a challenge in my mind with an athletic quarterback to be able to keep him in the pocket," Smith said after Monday's practice.
Smith's team needs to tighten up defensively regardless of which quarterback it faces. Atlanta is allowing 387.0 yards per game, tied for 27th in the league, though its pass rush finally emerged against the Buccaneers as Jonathan Massaquoi, Stansly Maponga and Corey Peters recorded the club's first sacks of the season.
If the Vikings don't continue to play strong pass defense, though, the issue of the Falcons containing Bridgewater may prove irrelevant. Minnesota is giving up only 225.3 passing yards a contest, but Ryan is second in the NFL with 965 yards and also among the leaders in passing touchdowns (seven), completion percentage (68.5) and passer rating (105.1).
Julio Jones leads the league with 365 receiving yards and is tied for third with 23 catches. Jones has been Ryan's primary target with Roddy White (hamstring) and Harry Douglas (foot) uncertain to play Sunday and Hester missing practice earlier this week. White sat out against the Bucs.
Despite the presence of one of the league's hottest quarterbacks in Ryan, the spotlight figures to be on Bridgewater.
"It's not all about me. I don't have to do it my myself," said Bridgewater, who will be backed up by former starter Christian Ponder. "There are 10 other guys out on the field with me, so we're expecting those guys to play well for us and just excited to get back out there Sunday."
Along with Cassel, the Vikings suffered several other key injuries last week. Starting right guard Brandon Fusco was also lost for the year with a pectoral muscle injury, while linebacker Chad Greenway, who played with a broken left hand, aggravated a rib injury he was already dealing with.
Nickel cornerback Josh Robinson also hurt his right hamstring.
The Falcons have taken the last two meetings with Minnesota, winning the most recent 24-14 at Atlanta on Nov. 27, 2011.
Game Notes: |
| | Last Updated: 4/19/2024 12:08:45 PM EST. |
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