The Atlanta Falcons and the Minnesota Vikings meet in week 2 NFL action from Bank of America Stadium on Sunday. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s an Vikings vs Falcons Prediction.
Atlanta Falcons Recap
The Atlanta Falcons come into this game looking to rebound from their 23-20 loss at the hands of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last time out to start the year 0-1. After this game, the Falcons will head on the road once again for a game against the Carolina Panthers
Falcons Looking For Primetime Bounce Back
Michael Penix Jr. threw for 298 yards and a touchdown on 27 of 42 passing while also rushing for 21 yards and a touchdown. Tyler Allgeier and Bijan Robinson each had 24 rushing yards while Robinson had 100 receiving yards and a touchdown on 6 receptions. Kyle Pitts had 7 grabs for 59 yards while Drake London had a team-high 8 grabs for 55 yards. Ray-Ray McCloud III also had 51 receiving yards in the win for Atlanta. On defense, Jessie Bates III had a team-high 7 total tackles while Billy Bowman Jr. and Divine Deablo combined for Atlanta’s lone sack in the loss.
Why the Atlanta Falcons will win
- The underdogs have won five of the last seven games between the Falcons and Vikings.
- The Vikings have lost three of their last four home games against teams that held a losing record.
- The Falcons have covered the spread in each of their last four road games when playing with a rest advantage.
- The Vikings have failed to cover the spread in four of their last five games as home favorites when playing with a rest disadvantage.
Atlanta Falcons Player Prop Facts
- Bijan Robinson has scored two touchdowns in three of the Falcons’ last four games.
- Bijan Robinson has scored at least one touchdown in each of the Falcons’ last six games against NFC opponents.
- Kirk Cousins has recorded 273+ passing yards in each of his last eight appearances at U.S. Bank Stadium.
- Ray-Ray McCloud has recorded 42+ receiving yards in each of the Falcons’ last four games as underdogs following a loss.
- Ray-Ray McCloud has recorded 45+ rushing and receiving yards in each of the Falcons’ last four games as underdogs following a loss.
- Tyler Allgeier has recorded 24+ rushing yards in each of the Falcons’ last nine games following a home loss.
- Kirk Cousins has recorded 23+ completions in each of his last eight appearances at U.S. Bank Stadium.
- Heading into Week 2, Michael Penix Jr. ranks T1st in the league for batted pass attempts (3) this season.
Minnesota Vikings Recap
The Minnesota Vikings come into this game looking to add on to their 27-24 win over the Chicago Bears last time out to sit at 1-0 on the year. After this game, the Vikings will take on the Cincinnati Bengals at home.
Vikings Looking To Continue Strong Start
J.J. McCarthy threw for 143 yards, 2 touchdowns and an interception on 13 of 20 passing while also rushing for 25 yards and a TD. Jordan Mason rushed for 68 yards on 15 carries, while Aaron Jones Sr. and Justin Jefferson each had 44 receiving yards and a touchdown, with Jefferson logging a team-high 4 catches. On defense, Joshua Metellus had a team-high 6 total tackles including 4 solo tackles while Javon Hargrave added a pair of sacks for Minnesota’s defense.
Why the Minnesota Vikings will win
- The Vikings have won each of their last seven games against opponents on a losing streak.
- The Falcons have lost seven of their last eight Sunday games.
- The Falcons have failed to cover the spread in each of their last seven Sunday games as underdogs.
- The Vikings have covered the spread in each of their last five games in September.
Minnesota Vikings Player Prop Facts
- Aaron Jones has scored two or more touchdowns in four of his last five September appearances with his team as a home favorite.
- Aaron Jones has scored at least one touchdown in each of his last eight September appearances with his team as a home favorite.
- Adam Thielen has recorded 29+ receiving yards in each of his 12 previous September appearances at U.S. Bank Stadium.
- Aaron Jones has recorded 69+ rushing and receiving yards in each of his last six regular season home appearances against NFC South opponents.
- Aaron Jones has recorded 53+ rushing yards in each of his last six regular season home appearances against NFC South opponents.
- Heading into Week 2, Javon Hargrave has recorded the equal-most sacks in a single game this season (2 vs Bears, Week 1).
Total Points Facts
- Each of the Vikings’ last four home openers have gone UNDER the total points line.
- Each of the Falcons’ last four September games as underdogs have gone UNDER the total points line.
Vikings vs Falcons Prediction
I’m on the under in this game. I didn’t love what I saw from Minnesota and J.J. McCarthy before rallying in the 4th quarter in week 1 in all honesty. There’s word that Atlanta could be banged up at receiver, with Drake London’s status up in the air. I think this is going to be a battle, and add in the short week for J.J. McCarthy for the first time in his NFL career. I think you have an under in this one, something like 24-20, whichever way it goes. Give me the under here.