Falcons No Match for Vikings at Metrodome

NFL 2008: Vikings' Running Back Adrian Peterson Second Pro Bowl leads NFL in Rushing

The single objective for both teams is getting to the NFC playoffs. This week, the Vikings can clinch the NFC North, while the Falcons have a chance at earning a Wildcard spot.

The Vikings need to decide who will be their quarterback this week.

Will it be Gus Frerotte or Tarvaris Jackson?

Frerotte has been the starter for most of this season after taking over for Jackson in Week 2. However, Frerotte was out last week with a back injury. And wouldn't you know it ... Jackson starts for Frerotte last Sunday against the Cardinals and impresses everybody with a career-high four touchdown passes.

One thing the Vikings don't need to decide is on their running back.

After all, they have the NFL's number one rusher Adrian Peterson (1,581 yards), now a two-time Pro Bowler. Peterson has been averaging 125.4 yards per game and has scored 6 TDs in the Vikings past 9 games. In 7 of the 9, Peterson has gained 100 or more yards.

On defense, the Vikings are the best against the rush this season.

The Minnesota Vikings defense has allowed only 71.2 rushing yards per game this season. But they will be put to the test by the NFL's best rushing attack (148.7 yards per game) led by league's second best rusher, Michael Turner (1,421 yards). Turner leads the NFL with 15 rushing touchdowns this season. Michael Turner, La Dainian Tomlinson's former under-study, was recently selected to the 2009 Pro Bowl as well.

Atlanta Falcons (9-5) at Minnesota Vikings (9-5)

Sunday, FOX, 4:15 PM ET

The Falcons (9-5) are currently the 7th seed in the NFC. Ahead of the Falcons in Wildcard spots are the Dallas Cowboys (9-5) and their NFC South rival the Tampa Buccaneers (9-5). The Eagles (8-5-1), Bears (8-6) and Redskins (7-7) currently trail Atlanta.

A Falcons win coupled with the right combination of losses amongst the Bucs, Cowboys, Eagles and/or Bears ensures a trip to the NFC playoffs for Atlanta. (Checkout NFL Playoff Scenarios).

For the Vikings (9-5) their path to the playoffs is much easier. "The playoffs are right there for the taking," according to Minnesota Tight End Visanthe Shiancoe. "It's in our control." And he's right, for the Vikings the objective is easy, win this week and win the NFC North. A win would mean the Minnesota Vikings first division title since 2000.

The Vikings can still lose this game and win the NFC North as long as the Bears (8-6) also lose.

Vikings - Falcons Series

The Falcons and Vikings meet for the third time in four seasons. The Minnesota Vikings hold a 15-8 advantage in the overall series and are 9-2 against the Falcons in Minneapolis.

The Vikings defeated the Falcons in Minneapolis in the 2007 season opener, 24-3. In that game, Minnesota rookie running back Adrian Peterson ran for 103 yards and scored a touchdown on a 60-yard screen pass. Tarvaris Jackson completed 13 of 23 passes for 163 yards. Defensively, the Vikings were led by DT Kevin Williams, who returned an interception 54 yards for a touchdown.

The Falcons defense played well, holding the Vikings offense scoreless in the first half. But the Falcons offense were forced into poor field position throughout the game. The Falcons average starting field position was at their own 22 and just four times did the Falcons manage to penetrate Vikings territory.

NFL 2008 Week 15: Minnesota Vikings 35, Arizona Cardinals 14

Last week the Minnesota Vikings went on the road and defeated the NFC West champion Arizona Cardinals 35-14. The Vikings put together a complete performance, scoring 4 times on offense and once on special teams while only allowing one touchdown defensively. With the win the Vikings remained one game ahead of the Chicago Bears in the NFC North.

The Vikings tallied 396 yards on offense, including 239 yards rushing and controlled the ball for 34.5 minutes. Adrian Peterson rushed for 165 rushing yards while quarterback Tarvaris Jackson threw four touchdowns passes in placed of injured quarterback Gus Frerotte. On the day, Jackson was 11 of 17 for 163 yards and a passer rating of 135.5.

Adrian Peterson compiled the 165 rushing yards on 28 carries for a 5.9 yard average. He continues to lead the NFL in rushing and total scrimmage yards.

The Vikings defense limited the NFL's best scoring offense to 7 points and just 43 yards on the ground. The Vikings sacked Cardinals QB Kurt Warner 4 times and hurried him 27 more times, knocking him down on 17 occasions.

NFL 2008 Week 15: Atlanta Falcons 13, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 10 (Overtime)

Last Sunday, the Falcons improved their record to 9-5 and (6-1 at home) after defeating the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in overtime, 13-10.

Kicker Jason Elam provided the vicotry on a 34-yard field goal on the Falcons first possession in the overetime. It was Elam's second game-winning field goal this season.

Michael Turner rushed for 152 yards on 32 carries and scored his 15th rushing touchdown of the year. Defensive end John Abraham contributed his third three-sack game of the season. Abraham has 15.5 sacks this year.

Rookie Quarterback Matt Ryan completed 15 of 23 passes for 206 yards and his seventh consecutive game in which Ryan completed 60 percent of his passes.

ATLANTA FALCONS (9-5)

  • - The Falcons are 6-0 when rookie QB MATT RYAN has 100.0 plus rating. Ryan and Falcons are 6-2 playing in domes this season. In dome games, Matt Ryan has completed 135 of 200 (67.5 pct.) for 1,932 yards with 6 TDs vs. 4 interceptions for 100.3 passer rating
  • - RB MICHAEL TURNER ranks 2nd in NFL with 1,421 rush yards, leads league with franchise-record 15 rush TDs and was recently named to the NFC Pro Bowl squad. Turner had 152 yards & one touchdown last week in the Falcons' 13-10 overtime win over the Bucs. Turner has 9 rushing TDs over the past 6 games. When Turner has 8+ carries, his teams are 20-5 (.800).
  • - WR RODDY WHITE has 76 catches for 1,197 yards (99.8 per game) & 6 TDs in past 12, including 7 100-yard games. Roddy White, a first-time Pro Bowl selection, leads the NFC with 1,310 receiving yards & needs 49 yards to set team single-season record (1,358, ALFRED JENKINS, 1981)
  • - RB JERIOUS NORWOOD has 6 career TDs & 4 have been 67+ yards
  • - DE JOHN ABRAHAM had 3.0 sacks last week, his 3rd 3-sack game of season and has 25.5 sacks in past 29. Abraham has 83.0 sacks since 2000, 3rd most in NFL. LB KEITH BROOKING had sack & interception vs. the Vikings in 10/2/05 meeting. CB DOMONIQUE FOXWORTH had interception last week

MINNESOTA VIKINGS (9-5)

  • - The Vikings placed 6 players on NFC Pro Bowl Squad. Vikings tied with Giants for most players on this year's All-Star roster.
  • - RB ADRIAN PETERSON made NFL debut vs. the Atlanta Falcons last season & had 103 rushing yards plus a 60-yard TD reception. Peterson has 1,129 rush yards (125.4 per game) & 6 TDs in past 9, including 7 100-yard games. Since entering NFL in 2007, averages 104.4 rush yards per game, most in NFL
  • - RB CHESTER TAYLOR aims for 5th in row with TD
  • - Including playoffs, WR BERNARD BERRIAN has 21 TD catches & 15 have been 30+ yards, including 41-yard TD last week. Also had 82-yard PR-TD last week. WR BOBBY WADE had career-long 59-yard TD last week
  • - Rush defense leads NFL (71.2 yards per game). DE JARED ALLEN has 57.5 sacks since 2004, most in NFL. Has 12.5 sacks in past 9. Aims for 4th in row with 2.0+ sacks. Had 2.0 sacks in only game vs. the Atlanta Falcons (10/24/04 with the Chiefs). CB ANTOINE WINFIELD had 14-yard INT-TD in last meeting. DT KEVIN WILLIAMS had 54-yard INT-TD in last meeting. S DARREN SHARPER has 49 interceptions since 2000, most in NFL.
  • - Vikings QB TARVARIS JACKSON won only start vs. the Atlanta Falcons & had 60-yard TD. Had career-high 4 TD passes last week. QB GUS FREROTTE has won 8 of 11 starts this season

PREDICTION: Minnesota Vikings 31 Atlanta Falcons 14

The Vikings sport a 5-1 record at home this season and have won 4 consecutive games (8 of their last 10).

Meanwhile, the Falcons are 3-4 on the road with victories over the Raiders (24-0), Chargers (22-16) and Packers (27-24). The Falcons road losses are even more telling. The Falcons have been outscored 104-57 in their 4 road losses to the Bucs (24-9), Panthers (24-9), Eagles (27-14) and Saints (29-25).

In other words, on the road the Falcons are not that good against playoff caliber opponents.

The Vikings are a playoff-caliber team and even though they have the share the same record, the Vikings have faced much stiffer competition this season.

Arizona Cardinals Regular Season Review - NFL 2008