Skip to main content

Quick Take: Falcons (9-5) at Vikings (9-5)

Last meeting
Last season, Minnesota RB Adrian Peterson rushed for 103 yards to help the Vikings to a 24-3 win over the Falcons on Kickoff Weekend.

Streaks
The Vikings have won two of the past three matchups to claim a 15-8 overall series lead. Check out the historical matchup of the last five games.

Last week
Matt Ryan overcame two interceptions as the Falcons got past NFC South rival Tampa Bay 13-10 in overtime. ... The Vikings took control early and never looked back in their 35-14 victory over the Cardinals.

Keep your eye on ...
Scrambling:Falcons DE John Abraham's three-sack performance last week made him a Week 15 GMC Defensive Player of the Week nominee. He has a career-high 15.5 sacks on the season and faces a line that has given up 38 sacks in 2008.

Fan feedback

   Is 
  Matt Ryan the Rookie of the Year? Will the 
  Vikings clinch the NFC North this week? 
   **What are your thoughts?**

The Burner: Last week, Atlanta RB Michael Turner rushed for his league-leading 15th touchdown of the year, a franchise record. The NFL's second leading rusher (trailing only Minnesota's Adrian Peterson), Turner ran for 152 yards and a touchdown last week, but he faces the best rush defense in the NFL on Sunday.

The Vikings' QB: For the last game and a half, QB Gus Frerotte has been sidelined by a back injury. Backup Tarvaris Jackson has filled in nicely, throwing for four touchdowns in last week's victory over the Cardinals. Should the Vikings play the 37-year-old Frerotte, who has 11 starts this year, or a confident Jackson, the former starter?

Did you know?
CB Antoine Winfield, a 2009 Pro Bowler, had a 14-yard interception return for a TD in his last game against the Falcons. ... RB Chester Taylor aims for his fifth game in a row with touchdown. ... Check out the NFL playoff picture.