The records are vastly different but the Atlanta Falcons and Minnesota Vikings are fighting for the same thing when they meet on Sunday in Week 14 of the NFL season. Just a few weeks ago the Falcons were leading the soft NFC South at 6-3, but three straight losses now have them tied with Tampa Bay for the top spot. The Vikings own the second-best record in the NFL unfortunately they’re in the rugged NFC North a game behind Detroit at 10-2. First place is still in play for both clubs and playoff seedings will be impacted by the result of this contest. Riding a five-game winning streak and playing at home, the Vikings opened as a 5.5-point favorite at the Bitcoin Sportsbook.
NFL Betting Lines
Falcons at Vikings Betting Lines
Atlanta Falcons +5.5 / ML +204
Minnesota Vikings -5.5 / ML -237
Over / Under 45.5
The Falcons went all in during the offseason acquiring Kirk Cousins to remedy a quarterback situation that’s been in flux since the final days of Matt Ryan. However, some shoddy play and poor decisions by the veteran during the current skid have ignited questions about a shakeup behind center. Cousins tossed four interceptions in last week’s 17-13 loss to the Chargers negating any chance of earning a win. And the Falcons played well enough in other areas to get the victory.
With Cousins throwing six interceptions without a touchdown the offense has sputtered the last three games. The Falcons averaged just 12 points in that stretch without scoring more than 17 in any game. They scored at least 27 points in four of their previous five games while going 4-1. The bottom line is that Cousins has to be better. There’s plenty of talent around him that should make Atlanta respectable on offense.
Atlanta has moved the football ranking among the top 10 in total yards with more than 360 per game. One way to counter an aggressive Minnesota defense is to get the ball in the hands of Bijan Robinson, who had success last week against the Chargers defense. Robinson rushed for 102 yards and a TD with an additional 33 yards on six receptions. He’s currently fifth in the NFL in combined yards with almost 1,300.
The Vikings have been methodical during their winning streak with the five games decided by an average of 5.4 points. It’s easy to talk about the renaissance of Sam Darnold leading the offense after he was deemed a draft bust not long ago. Minnesota is among the top 10 in the NFL in scoring at 24.8 points and produces nearly 345 yards per game. Darnold has the fourth-most TD passes in the league and the seventh-best passer rating. He has thrown 10 interceptions and been sacked 36 times.
Defense has been the trademark of the Vikings, though, this season. They allow the fifth-fewest points and are the best against the run giving up just 81.3 yards. And the secondary has a chance to feast against the bufuddled Cousins. Byron Murphy has five interceptions and the Vikings have a NFL high 18 picks with six players having at least two. The Vikings are second with 24 takeaways while the Falcons have coughed it up 17 times.
Given the rut they’re in it’ll be difficult for the Falcons to snap out of it. However, Cousins is a veteran who owned his lousy play last week and he’s done enough over his career to prove he’s a high-caliber QB. And Atlanta’s defense played well enough to win last week allowing fewer than 200 total yards to the Bolts and recording five sacks. Red zone woes have plagued the Falcons and they are 30th in goal-to-go percentage, but like I said there is talent to be much better. There’s also a sense of urgency for the Falcons, who watched their lead in the division evaporate, and I’m not convinced Minnesota is as good as their record indicates.
Falcons at Vikings Same Game Parlay Picks
Falcons +5.5
Falcons / Vikings OVER 45.5
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