It was a powerful effort throughout for the Falcons after a Week 1 setback and confirmed what they’ll do when all issues are clicking.
One other gradual begin for Vikings
Of their opener on Monday night time in opposition to the Chicago Bears, the Vikings solely had 4 first downs and McCarthy struggled to get in a rhythm with solely 48 passing yards within the first half.
Minnesota turned the ball over on downs and went three-and-out on its opening two drives Sunday night time whereas McCarthy was picked off by Falcons security Billy Bowman Jr. late within the opening half. Other than a pair of subject objectives, Minnesota as soon as once more put itself at a drawback with poor offense and was unable to place a fourth-quarter rally collectively to bail itself out this time.
No kicking woes for Falcons this week
After lacking a possible game-tying 44-yard subject to ship the Week 1 recreation vs. the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to additional time, Falcons kicker Younghoe Koo didn’t journey with the group and was dominated out with a non-injury associated problem.
In consequence, the Falcons signed former Vikings kicker John Parker Romo on Tuesday. In a recreation that became a kicking contest, Romo excelled, changing all 5 of his subject objectives, together with a vital 54-yarder to make it a 15-6 lead with 11:16 remaining, leaving little doubt in his group debut.
Vikings protection wants extra assist from offense
It would get overshadowed by Minnesota’s poor offensive efficiency by way of seven of its eight quarters thus far, however the Vikings protection has completed greater than sufficient to guide its group to a win when factors have been at a premium.
With solely a pair of subject objectives and an incapability for Minnesota’s offense to maintain any drives on Sunday night time, the protection was continually put in tough conditions and nonetheless stored the Falcons offense out of the tip zone till late within the fourth quarter. Even with two of its starters, linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel (concussion) and security Harrison Smith (sickness), inactive for the sport, the Vikings protection performed nicely sufficient to win and didn’t get sufficient assist offensively.
Falcons dial up stress on McCarthy
Atlanta didn’t give McCarthy any time to function within the pocket on Sunday night time. In keeping with Subsequent Gen Stats, the Falcons pressured McCarthy 16 occasions and on 53.3% of drop backs, the highest rate by Atlanta since Week 15 in 2018.
McCarthy orchestrated a exceptional fourth-quarter rally in his debut on Monday, however the identical end result was not within the playing cards this time. Whereas he missed some throws down the sphere, he was continually below stress from a suffocating Falcons protection all night time that ended up with six sacks within the recreation.
