Both the Minnesota Vikings and Atlanta Falcons are going through changes at the quarterback position, although the circumstances surrounding each team are quite different. Let’s break down these two teams as each prepares for an important NFC showdown.
Minnesota Vikings vs. Atlanta Falcons Betting Lines, Start Time, and More
All odds from DraftKings Sportsbook.
- Spread:Â Falcons -4
- Moneyline:Â Vikings (+170), Falcons (-205)
- Over/Under:Â 37
- Game time:Â 1:00 p.m. ET
- Location:Â Mercedes-Benz Stadium
- Channel:Â FOX
Vikings vs. Falcons Prediction
The Vikings-Falcons matchup is nothing like it probably appeared as recently as a week ago. But over the last week, the Vikings lost their starting quarterback, Kirk Cousins, for the season due to an Achilles’ tear, while the Falcons have announced that veteran Taylor Heinicke will now be their starting quarterback, at least for this week.
The changes have turned an already important Week 9 NFC contest, where the outcome could have huge implications for the conference’s playoff picture, into an even more intriguing matchup.
The biggest name on the active quarterback list in this matchup will not start this game. After starting the first eight games for the Arizona Cardinals, Joshua Dobbs was traded this week to replace the injured Cousins. But Dobbs will be No. 2 on the Vikings depth chart for this week, giving rookie Jaren Hall the start against Atlanta.
MORE: NFL Injuries Week 9 — Tracking Every Injury
Hall took over for Cousins last week and looked fine, completing three of four attempts for 23 yards against the Green Bay Packers. Now he gets goes up against a Falcons’ defense that has improved from the bottom six in total yards allowed last season (27th) to the top six this season (sixth).
The good news for Hall is that, while he doesn’t have much of a running game to speak of these days (31st in rushing offense at 73.3 YPG), he does have some talent at wide receiver to throw the ball to, even if one of them isn’t named Justin Jefferson (whose still on injured reserve with a hamstring injury).
Jordan Addison is second in the NFL in touchdown receptions (seven), while tight end T.J. Hockenson is on a streak of four straight games with at least 50 receiving yards.
The Falcons’ change at quarterback, while not injury-related, is significant in its own right. Heinicke replaced the turnover-prone Desmond Ridder last week and was given the starting nod for this contest.
This move is more about the ineffectiveness of Ridder — NFL-leading 12 giveaways this season, all since Week 3 — than about what Heinicke brings to the table. After all, Heinicke is the epitome of an average quarterback: he has a combined 12-12-1 record in his 25 career starts.
The Falcons will miss leading receiver Drake London (groin) this week, so they will need their running game to step up, which plays well with Heinicke under center. Last season with the Washington Commanders, when Heinicke got the start, they were 5-1 when they had at least 28 carries.
Rookie Bijan Robinson, who had his first career rushing touchdown last week, should see more than the 11 carries he had in Week 8.
At the end of the day, I am a big believer in the Falcons’ defense, and I have seen enough of Heinicke in the past to know that, while not spectacular, he can get the job done. No London for this game will hurt, but it’s also an opportunity for Robinson to continue to show why he is one of the best rookies this season.
More than a field goal in this matchup is risky, but the unknown factor of a rookie quarterback like Hall facing a solid defense on the road should be enough for Atlanta to cover the number.
Best Bet: Falcons -4 (-108 at DraftKings Sportsbook)
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