” data-medium-file=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Kyle-Pitts.jpg” data-large-file=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=1180,height=635,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Kyle-Pitts.jpg”> The Atlanta Falcons<\/a> will waltz into U.S. Bank Stadium as 3.5-point underdogs on Sunday Night Football<\/em>, hoping to erase the memories of a beatdown orchestrated by the Minnesota Vikings at the same building last season.<\/p>\n The Vikings may face dangerous pitfalls in their matchup with the Falcons. Here are three of the biggest risks that could affect SNF.<\/strong><\/p>\n The Vikings got 2025 to a winning start in Week 1, finagling a 4th Quarter comeback, led by 22-year-old quarterback J.J. McCarthy. Atlanta, on the other hand, failed to convert a game-tying field goal and lost to the rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers<\/a>.<\/p>\n Minnesota, indeed, is forecasted to win on Sunday night, but these are the three main risks that might prevent that. <\/p>\n Risks for the Vikings against Raheem Morris\u2019 Falcons. <\/strong><\/p>\n ” data-medium-file=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/USATSI_24494015.jpg” data-large-file=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=1180,height=787,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/USATSI_24494015.jpg” src=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/USATSI_24494015.jpg” alt=”Kyle Pitts walks off the field after a game against the Panthers in Charlotte.”> The Vikings won\u2019t have Blake Cashman<\/a> on Sunday after his injured reserve fate this week. Cashman hurt his hamstring in the win over the Bears, and he\u2019s out for at least a month. Then, his teammate, starting linebacker Ivan Pace Jr., didn\u2019t play very well in Week 1, scoring a 30.0 from Pro Football Focus<\/em><\/a>.<\/p>\n Therefore, the middle of Brian Flores\u2019 defense will feature a linebacker who struggled in Week 1 and a backup in Eric Wilson, who actually performed wonderfully in his return to the Vikings.<\/p>\n If a tight end were ever going to feast on Flores\u2019 group, it would be when Cashman is out of the lineup. And while Pitts isn\u2019t a superstellar tight end, he\u2019s always a threat. A big game from him would be a nuisance for Minnesota.<\/p>\n Blogging <\/em>Dirty<\/em>\u2018s<\/span> Jeffery Robinson noted<\/a> on Pitts this week: \u201cPitts was second on the team in targets (8) and produced a solid first week. Seven catches, 59 yards, and 12.9 fantasy points. Unfortunately, Pitts has performed best against the Bucs throughout his career, and won\u2019t face them again until week 15.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHis usage is exciting, but Darnell Mooney is expected back this Sunday, so keep a close eye on Pitts\u2019 usage against the Vikings. He hasn\u2019t pushed himself into TE1 talks yet, but 12.9 points is a solid start to the final season of hope for Pitts.\u201d<\/p>\n Remember from 7:20 PM to 9:15 PM Central Time on Monday night when Minnesota\u2019s offense and McCarthy personally played woefully and looked afraid to attempt big plays?<\/p>\n ” data-medium-file=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/J.J.-McCarthy-8.jpg” data-large-file=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=1180,height=639,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/J.J.-McCarthy-8.jpg” src=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/J.J.-McCarthy-8.jpg” alt=”J.J. McCarthy warms up before facing the Texans at U.S. Bank Stadium.”> Yeah, they can\u2019t do that again.<\/p>\n Chicago let Minnesota off the hook for its early-game offensive sins, but most other NFL teams will not. Kevin O\u2019Connell must pretend that Sam Darnold<\/a> or Kirk Cousins is his quarterback when calling plays, and just let it fly with McCarthy. O\u2019Connell\u2019s \u201cunderneath\u201d offense is feckless and counterproductive.<\/p>\n There\u2019s also the possibility that McCarthy doesn\u2019t play like a killer every <\/em>game, as he did in the 4th Quarter on Monday night. If he fires up a standard rookie outing, well, Minnesota could lose.<\/p>\n McCarthy told reporters<\/a> this week about facing Falcons signal-caller Michael Penix Jr., whom he played in the National Championship two years ago: \u201cI\u2019m extremely excited to see him again and compete against him. He\u2019s a great player, and it\u2019s going to be a good test for our defense.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI love Michael. Just being able to be with him during the pre-draft process, and really understanding his process and who he is as a man and his personality. It\u2019s no surprise he\u2019s in the position he\u2019s in right now.\u201d<\/p>\n ” data-medium-file=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=666,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/USATSI_22207936.jpg” data-large-file=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=1180,height=787,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/USATSI_22207936.jpg” src=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=666,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/USATSI_22207936.jpg” alt=”Michael Penix Jr. runs the ball during the Sugar Bowl against Texas.”> McCarthy also said about Week 1: \u201cThat\u2019s the best feeling in the world, when you grind out a win and you celebrate with your teammates and your coaches and all the guys that put in the work to have that outcome come to fruition. Definitely looking forward to a lot of things, but seeing all the purple in the stands at the end of the day. It\u2019s going to be a lot of fun.\u201d<\/p>\n The Buccaneers couldn\u2019t slow Robinson through the air \u2014 he tabulated 100 receiving yards \u2014 but they did apply the brakes on the ground, allowing the prolific tailback to accrue just 24 rushing yards in Week 1. It\u2019s probably why Tampa Bay narrowly won the damn thing.<\/p>\n Robinson is habitually a threat to wreck a game, and although Minnesota\u2019s run defense is not a weakness, it doesn\u2019t have huge run stuffers that many defenses employ.<\/p>\n ” data-medium-file=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/USATSI_20650897-edited-1.jpg” data-large-file=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=1180,height=663,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/USATSI_20650897-edited-1.jpg” src=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/USATSI_20650897-edited-1.jpg” alt=”Bijan Robinson on the field during Falcons rookie camp in Flowery Branch.”> Therefore, Robinson could explode against Minnesota, reducing the chances of a Week 2 dub<\/a>.<\/p>\n In fact, this is Robinson\u2019s third game against the Vikings in his young career, believe it or not, and he\u2019s never totally tormented Kevin O\u2019Connell\u2019s squad. One could argue that he\u2019s due.<\/p>\n <\/main><\/p>\n<\/div>\nFootball What\u2019s Standing in the Way of a Vikings Dub on Sunday Night?<\/h2>\n
Oct 13, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts (8) walks off the field after the game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images<\/p>\n
1. Kyle Pitts Exposing Minnesota\u2019s Depleted LB Corps<\/h3>\n
2. J.J. McCarthy Rookie Outing \u2014 the Bad Version<\/h3>\n
Aug 9, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) warms up before the game against the Houston Texans at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images<\/p>\n
Jan 1, 2024; New Orleans, LA, USA; Washington Huskies quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (9) runs the ball during the fourth quarter against the Texas Longhorns in the 2024 Sugar Bowl college football playoff semifinal game at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports<\/p>\n
3. Explosion by Bijan Robinson<\/h3>\n
May 12, 2023; Flowery Branch, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson (7) shown on the field during rookie camp at IBM Performance Field. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports<\/p>\n
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