NFL Week 12 Predictions: Falcons Will Beat Vikings to Keep Playoff Hopes Alive

The Atlanta Falcons' passing offense will dominate a poor Minnesota Vikings passing offense to keep their hopes of making the 2011 NFL playoffs alive.

Atlanta is 6-4 on the season and one game behind the Detroit Lions and Chicago Bears in the wild-card race.

They are also one game behind the New Orleans Saints for the lead in the NFC South Division, which the Falcons won last season.

Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan has played well the last two weeks, throwing for 300-plus yards in both games. He has also thrown just one interception with three touchdowns in those games.

With wide receiver Harry Douglas emerging as a reliable target in the passing game the absence of rookie wide receiver Julio Jones due to injury has not been too much to overcome.

Ryan as always still has All-Pro wide receiver Roddy White to target as well as future Hall of Fame tight end Tony Gonzalez.

The Vikings pass defense is the fifth worst in the NFL in pass yards allowed per game, giving up 259 a contest.

Minnesota also has just six interceptions on the season, which is tied for the third fewest in all of football.

Minnesota does not have any playmakers or size in the secondary, and with two big targets in White and Gonzalez, Ryan will not have trouble carving up the Vikings defense on Sunday.

Atlanta will use an effective passing attack on Sunday to earn a crucial win to keep its hopes of returning to the playoffs alive.