Minnesota Vikings vs. Atlanta Falcons: Spread Info, Line and Predictions

The Minnesota Vikings (2-8) come into the Georgia Dome this week to take on an Atlanta Falcons (6-4) team that is needing a win to stay in the NFC playoff picture. 

These two teams have a long history with each other. As Vikings fans remember, this Falcons team upset them at home in the NFC Championship game back in 1998. Recently these two teams have featured two of the best running backs in the NFL. The Vikings may be without Adrian Peterson, while the Falcons will look to use Michael Turner to carry them to a victory this week. 

Where: Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia 

When: Sunday, Nov. 27 at 1:00 PM ET

Watch: FOX

Betting Line

According to SBGlobal, the Falcons are a nine-point favorite. You should take the Falcons in this game as this Vikings team is vastly overmatched without Peterson in their lineup. Atlanta will take control of this game as quarterback Matt Ryan goes off for a huge game. 

Betting Over/Under

According to SBGlobal, the over/under is 44. Take the over as the Falcons and Vikings will put up enough points between them to cover this. You can be sure that the Falcons will score in the mid- to high 20s, while the Vikings will net a garbage-time touchdown pushing this game over. 

Who Might Not Play for Minnesota

RB Adrian Peterson: Peterson is doubtful with a high ankle sprain that took him out of last week’s game against the Raiders. 

TE Kyle Rudolph: Rudolph is questionable with a quadriceps injury that has kept him out of practice this week.

WR Percy Harvin: Harvin was limited in practice this week with a ribs injury. His status for this week’s game is questionable. 

Who Might Not Play for Atlanta

WR Julio Jones: Jones is still questionable with a hamstring injury that kept him out of last week’s game. He has returned to practice this week but still remains a questionable for this week’s game. 

LB Curtis Lofton: Lofton is questionable with an ankle injury. He was limited in practice this week and could miss this week’s game. 

Fantasy Big Players

Atlanta, QB Matt Ryan

Ryan has had a good season for fantasy owners. His 2,625 yards has put him at 11th in the league, while his 15 touchdown passes have him in the top 10. This week against the Vikings he will have a great chance to throw for 250 to 300 yards with two to three touchdown passes, as the Vikings come into the game with the 28th-ranked passing defense.  

Atlanta, WR Roddy White

With Jones dealing with a bad hamstring injury and the Vikings passing defense as bad as they are, it looks like White will have a huge day. You can expect Ryan to look for White a lot during this game. White will have between seven and 10 catches with 130 to 145 yards and one to two touchdowns.

Atlanta, RB Michael Turner

Turner has put together another solid year with his 888 yards and eight touchdowns on the year. This week he will not have a huge day, as Minnesota ranks 10th in defending the run. However, Turner will get the ball a lot late, as the Falcons look to run the clock out. 

Key to Minnesota Win

The Vikings must get DE Jared Allen going. If the defense can draw up some schemes to get Allen free to get to the quarterback, it will result in the Falcons rushing their throws while resulting in interceptions. 

The Vikings must establish a good rhythm for quarterback Christian Ponder. The Falcons come into this game ranked 26th in pass defense. If they can get Ponder going hitting his receivers it could result in a shocking upset. 

Key to Atlanta Win

The Falcons must get a big day from their quarterback Ryan. He will be going up against a Vikings pass defense that can be ripped apart in their secondary. 

The Falcons must get pressure on Ponder. The Vikings quarterback is dealing with a bad knee and was limited in practice this week. If the Falcons can get some early hits on Ponder it will limit his ability to run outside of the pocket. 

Prediction

The Vikings more than likely will be missing their best player on offense in Peterson. That on top of potentially missing Ponder and Harvin will limit this Vikings team in doing anything on offense. 

The Falcons on the other hand will do enough to put this game out of reach by the start of the fourth quarter, while giving up a late-time touchdown to the Vikings. 

Atlanta 35 Minnesota 17

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