{"id":873183,"date":"2025-09-15T21:12:34","date_gmt":"2025-09-16T02:12:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/2025\/09\/15\/live-updates-and-analysis-from-the-vikings-home-opener-vs-the-falcons-star-tribune\/"},"modified":"2025-09-15T21:12:34","modified_gmt":"2025-09-16T02:12:34","slug":"live-updates-and-analysis-from-the-vikings-home-opener-vs-the-falcons-star-tribune","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/2025\/09\/15\/live-updates-and-analysis-from-the-vikings-home-opener-vs-the-falcons-star-tribune\/","title":{"rendered":"Live updates and analysis from the Vikings’ home opener vs. the Falcons – Star Tribune"},"content":{"rendered":"

Football <\/p>\n

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Recap: Vikings offense stalls, injuries pile up in 22-6 loss to the Falcons in home opener<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
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\"Football\"<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy fumbles the ball on a strip sack by Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Zach Harrison in the fourth quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium on Sunday night. (Carlos Gonzalez\/The Minnesota Star Tribune)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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A memorable week for new Vikings quarterback and new dad J.J. McCarthy ends in a flop at U.S. Bank Stadium. <\/p>\n

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The Minnesota Star Tribune<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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The thrill of a season-opening comeback win in Chicago last Monday night wore off as the Vikings offense sputter and injuries mounted in a 22-6 loss to the Atlanta Falcons in the 2025 home opener at U.S. Bank Stadium on Sunday night. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Football Postgame: Kevin O\u2019Connell\u2019s comments<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
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The Vikings were outgained 326-198. The Vikings had four turnovers and were sacked six times. J.J. McCarthy was 11 of 21 for 158 yards. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cWe\u2019ve got to go back to work and improve immediately,\u201d head coach Kevin O\u2019Connell said after the game<\/a>. \u201cThe negative plays are stacking up against us, where it seems like we take one step forward and two steps back.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Football End of Q4 – Falcons 22, Vikings 6<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
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Perhaps appropriately the game ends with another Vikings turnover. Myles Price fumbled a punt for their fourth turnover. The Falcons took a knee on the next play to end the game. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Football Q4, 2:35 – Another McCarthy turnover<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
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J.J. McCarthy\u2019s third turnover of the game will all but end this one for the Vikings.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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McCarthy targeted receiver Justin Jefferson on a deep ball near the front pylon of the end zone, but the ball was overthrown and picked off by Falcons safety Xavier Watts. That marks McCarthy\u2019s second pick of the night and third turnover, including his fumble while getting sacked earlier in the fourth quarter.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Atlanta kicked field goals off the previous two turnovers.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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The smattering of Vikings fans left have started heading for the concourses with two minutes remaining and a 22-6 deficit on the scoreboard.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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We finally have a touchdown in this game as Tyler Allgeier scores on the 5-yard run to put Atlanta up 22-6. It was the Falcons\u2019 second drive of the second half that lasted at least 12 plays and six minutes. They\u2019re leaning on a tired and beat-up Vikings defense<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Related Coverage<\/h4>\n
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The Falcons\u2019 210 rushing yards trail only Philly\u2019s 259 (Week 2, 2023) vs. a Kevin O\u2019Connell Vikings team.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Football\"<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. looks to pass against the Vikings during the fourth quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium on Sunday night. (Carlos Gonzalez\/The Minnesota Star Tribune)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Football Q4, 9:39 – Injuries continue to hit Vikings<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
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The Vikings were down three defensive starters entering Sunday night.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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They\u2019ve now lost a third offensive player while playing the Falcons.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Running back Aaron Jones is questionable to return due to a hamstring injury. Jones spent about 5-10 minutes inside the team\u2019s medical tent on the sideline at the top of the fourth quarter.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Offensive tackle Justin Skule left the game in the third quarter and is being evaluated for a concussion. He\u2019s been replaced by left tackle Walter Rouse. Skule was already a reserve in the starting lineup replacing Christian Darrisaw.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Center Ryan Kelly exited in the first half with a concussion.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Football\"<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Minnesota Vikings linebacker Gabriel Murphy was ruled out in the fourth quarter with a knee injury. (Carlos Gonzalez\/The Minnesota Star Tribune)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Football Q4, 11:16 – Falcons 15, Vikings 6<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
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Will anyone find the end zone tonight? We\u2019ll see, but just now the Falcons ended a drive with another field goal, this one from 54 yards. There Vikings defense held up well there despite being forced back onto the field quickly after J.J. McCarthy was sacked at the start of the previous Vikings drive and fumbled the ball near midfield.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Football Q4, 14:55 – McCarthy sacked, fumbles<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
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The Vikings trailed by only six as they headed into the fourth quarter in this battle of field goals, and after getting the ball near midfield following a stand by their defense, they committed yet another turnover.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Jonathan Greenard\u2019s stunt with Jonathan Allen helped him get to Michael Penix Jr. untouched as Charlie Woerner released on a route on second down, and then Josh Metellus broke up Penix\u2019s third-down throw for Kyle Pitts. The Vikings have allowed just 105 yards in the past two quarters after giving up 123 in the first quarter. But Zach Harrison got to J.J. McCarthy untouched on the first play of the fourth quarter, giving the Falcons the ball back at the Vikings\u2019 38.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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It\u2019s the third turnover of the night for McCarthy, who also fumbled a snap that kept him from getting a solid push on a fourth-down QB sneak in the first half. The Vikings\u2019 defense has done an admirable job keeping them in the game, while playing without three key contributors (Andrew Van Ginkel, Harrison Smith and Jeff Okudah). <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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But the Vikings haven\u2019t been able to protect McCarthy while playing without two starters, and McCarthy has missed too many spots to put drives together.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The Vikings will need yet another stop, and a fourth-quarter surge from their offense, to pull off another comeback victory.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Football\"<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Coordinator Brian Flores’ Vikings defense is keeping them in the game against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday night. (Carlos Gonzalez\/The Minnesota Star Tribune)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Football Q3, 1:35 – Another Vikings player goes down<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
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As the Vikings offensive line turns.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Tackle Walter Rouse, the No. 4 tackle on the roster, was called for holding to negate an 18-yard run by Jordan Mason in the third quarter. Rouse was in the game because backup tackle Justin Skule is in the medical tent being evaluated for an apparent injury. Skule made his second start of the season for recovering left tackle Christian Darrisaw, who has not played since a season-ending knee injury last October.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The Vikings are already playing without center Ryan Kelly, who suffered a concussion in the first half.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Football\"<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Vikings fans react while watching the game against the Atlanta Falcons in the third quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. (Carlos Gonzalez\/The Minnesota Star Tribune)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Football Q3, 6:17 – Falcons 12, Vikings 6<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
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After the Vikings went three-and-out on the opening drive of the second half, the Falcons held on to the ball for 7 minutes 47 seconds, working 69 yards downfield but still couldn\u2019t find the end zone. Bijan Robinson carried five times, including off a direct snap that he took up the middle for a gain of 11 yards about midway through the drive. Parker Romo hit his fourth field goal of the night from 33 yards.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Parker Romo has four field goals? Sound familiar? He accounted for all of the Vikings\u2019 points in a 12-7 win over the Jaguars in Jacksonville last November. Read all about that game here. <\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Football Q3, 15:00 – Kelly out with concussion<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
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Center Ryan Kelly has been ruled out for the rest of the game due to a concussion, the Vikings announced at halftime. Kelly exited for the locker room in the middle of the second quarter and did not return. He has been replaced by center Michael Jurgens, a 2024 seventh-round pick playing his first NFL snaps tonight. Kelly also entered the game with a toe injury that kept him out of two practices this week.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Football Halftime – Vikings offensive struggles continue<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
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If the Vikings\u2019 first quarter against the Falcons tonight felt similar to their struggles against the Bears on Monday night, the parallels continued in the second quarter.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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There was another J.J. McCarthy interception thrown inside of his receiver on an out-breaking route, and another chance to get into field goal range just before halftime. With the Vikings facing a third-and-13 from their own 17, Kevin O\u2019Connell kept his foot on the gas. And just as he did on Monday night, McCarthy threw a strike that set the Vikings up for three points. He hit a line drive to Justin Jefferson for 50 yards between the Falcons\u2019 two-deep safeties, setting up Will Reichard\u2019s 51-yard kick as the clock expired. The Vikings trail the Falcons 9-6 at halftime, and will get the second-half kickoff.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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They\u2019ll have to clean up their protection for McCarthy with Ryan Kelly being evaluated for a concussion and Christian Darrisaw still out. But McCarthy had a clean pocket on the long throw. For the night, McCarthy is 8 of 11 for 118 yards and an interception.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The Vikings honored Jared Allen with his Pro Football Hall of Fame ring at halftime. After a video montage that featured congratulations from Eli Manning, among others, Allen rode out of the U.S. Bank Stadium tunnel on a motorcycle. Another montage followed Allen\u2019s brief remarks, featuring congratulations from Peyton Manning, Aaron Rodgers, Larry Fitzgerald Jr. and former teammates Adrian Peterson, Kevin Williams and Chad Greenway.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Football\"<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Hall of Famer Jared Allen enters the U.S. Bank Stadium field on a motorcycle for a halftime ceremony honoring his Pro Football Hall of Fame induction last month. (Carlos Gonzalez\/The Minnesota Star Tribune)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Football End of Q2 – Halftime reading<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
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Since this is a field goal fest, how about some halftime reading about one of the kickers tonight? When the Vikings signed Parker Romo last season after Will Reichard was injured, I learned that Romo had been working at a golf club before Minnesota came calling. Read all about his journey to the NFL here.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Football Q2, :00 – Falcons 9, Vikings 6<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
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A beautiful 50-yard connection between J.J. McCarthy and Justin Jefferson, who faked out a pair of Falcons defenders with a cut to the left before breaking in toward center field, put the Vikings in field goal range in the final seconds of the first half. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Will Reichard made it from 51 yards as time expired.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Football Q2, :25 – Falcons 9, Vikings 3<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
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John Parker Romo hits his third field goal of the night for the Falcons, a 33-yarder that extends their lead back to 6 points just shy of halftime. The Falcons have continued to struggle with building a consistent passing attack; back-to-back incompletions with 6 yards to the down marker preceded the field goal attempt. Penix is 7-of-13; Kyle Pitts leads the Falcons in receiving with three receptions for 34 yards.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Football Q2, 2:03 – Interception for McCarthy<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
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Quarterback J.J. McCarthy threw behind his target, receiver Jalen Nailor, and his pass was picked off by Falcons cornerback Billy Bowman Jr. at the Vikings 38. McCarthy had just thrown a first-down pass to receiver Adam Thielen prior to the interception. This is the second time the Falcons are starting a drive in Vikings territory tonight.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Football Q2, 3:23 – Kelly heads to locker room<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
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Vikings center Ryan Kelly just went into the locker room and will be replaced by center Michael Jurgens on this drive.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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It\u2019s unclear what is bothering Kelly, but the 32-year-old center had a toe injury from the season-opening win in Chicago. Kelly played every snap against the Bears, and had played every snap against the Falcons prior to this second-quarter series. Kelly did not practice on Wednesday or Thursday this week due to the toe injury.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The Vikings already have a backup at left tackle with Justin Skule playing for the injured Christian Darrisaw. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Football Q2, 5:03 – First sack for Turner<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
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Outside linebacker Dallas Turner gets his first sack of this season — coming in his first NFL start for the injured Andrew Van Ginkel. Turner cleaned up a play that defensive tackle Javon Hargrave helped wreck with initial pressure on Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Football Q2, 7:06 – Falcons 6, Vikings 3<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
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The Vikings get on the board but some trouble in the red zone \u2014 a fumble, delay of game and two sacks after they had first and goal from the 2 \u2014 forces them to settle for a 33-yard field goal by Will Reichard.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Jalen Nailor had a pair of key receptions in the drive for 12 and then 17 yards, the first being a third-down conversion. McCarthy also hit Adam Thielen to for 19 yards on another third down.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Vikings now trailing 6-3 about midway through the second quarter.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Football\"<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

This Jalen Nailor catch got the Vikings close to the goal line, but they could get no closer. (Elizabeth Flores\/The Minnesota Star Tribune)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The Vikings got Jordan Mason and shiny new offensive linemen to run the ball at the goal line. And then they … didn\u2019t. <\/i>Mason had five carries for 18 yards on that drive, including two third-and-short conversions. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Yet coach Kevin O\u2019Connell appeared to call a play-action pass from the Falcons 2. McCarthy dropped the ball while faking a handoff and eventually threw incomplete. A delay of game pushed the offense back from trying a goal-line run. Interesting play-calling from the head coach on that sequence.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Football End of Q1 – Falcons 6, Vikings 0<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
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On Monday night, the Vikings ran eight plays in the first quarter in Chicago. They weren\u2019t much better tonight at home.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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They ran 10 plays for 18 yards in the first quarter, getting their first first down of the game on Jordan Mason\u2019s run to end the quarter. A pair of red-zone stops and an Eric Wilson forced fumble have kept the Vikings within six points, at the conclusion of a quarter where they were outgained 123-18. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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This place is about as loud as I\u2019ve heard it in 10 years of covering games here, and the U.S. Bank Stadium noise is absolutely affecting the Falcons with key false start and delay-of-game penalties. But Bijan Robinson\u2019s dynamic start took some of the energy out of the building, while the Vikings have struggled to keep J.J. McCarthy clean in the pocket.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Football\"<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones Sr. is stopped by Atlanta Falcons linebacker Divine Deablo (0) and defensive tackle David Onyemata (90) during the first quarter Sunday night at U.S. Bank Stadium. (Carlos Gonzalez\/The Minnesota Star Tribune)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Football Q1, :48 – Jefferson reaches 500 catches<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
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Receiver Justin Jefferson\u2019s 9-yard catch marked his 500th career grab, tying legendary receiver Larry Fitzgerald Jr. as the youngest players to reach that mark. Both Jefferson and Fitzgerald were 26 years and 90 days old when they recorded their 500th career receptions.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Football Q1, 1:28 – Wilson forces fumble<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
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Vikings linebacker Eric Wilson, starting in place of the injured Blake Cashman, punches the ball out of Drake London\u2019s hands, and safety Theo Jackson, filling in for Harrison Smith, recovers and returns it to the Vikings 32. Two replacement defenders making a huge play. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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What a signing Wilson has been in this young season. He originally joined the Vikings as an undrafted free agent in 2017. After four seasons away, he\u2019s returned to Minnesota and made an immediate impact. Last week in Chicago, Wilson had two run stops and partially blocked a punt. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Football\"<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Minnesota Vikings safety Theo Jackson (26) celebrates after recovering an Atlanta Falcons fumble in the first quarter. (Carlos Gonzalez\/The Minnesota Star Tribune)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Football Q1, 6:48 – Falcons 6, Vikings 0<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
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The Falcons were given great field position after the Vikings\u2019 first offensive drive ended on a turnover on downs when they failed to convert a fourth-and-1. Michael Penix Jr. found Kyle Pitts for a 14-yard third-down conversion in the drive, but that was the biggest play. They close the drive with another field goal, this time from 29 yards by Parker Romo<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Penix is 3-of-6 for 27 yards while running back Bijan Robinson has five carries for 54 yards.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Football Q1, 9:18 – Falcons 3, Vikings 0<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
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A four and out, not a three and out, to start for the Vikings offense and J.J. McCarthy. McCarthy appeared to drop the snap on a fourth-and-inches sneak on the Vikings\u2019 36-yard line. Turnover on downs.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Football Q1, 11:12 – Falcons 3, Vikings 0<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
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Vikings fans made a different on the opening drive of the game. After Bijan Robinson popped off runs of 25 and 17 yards, the Falcons offense struggled in the red zone under the barrage of a noisy crowd. They took a timeout before third down, then had a false start and came up short on the third-and-10. The offense stayed on for fourth-and-2 but took a delay of game penalty, and ultimately the Falcons settled for a 38-yard field goal kicked by former Viking Parker Romo.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Football\"<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. throws in the first quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium on Sunday. (Carlos Gonzalez\/The Minnesota Star Tribune)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Football Q1, 15:00 – Vikings on defense first<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
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The Falcons elect to receive the opening kickoff and the Vikings will start on defense.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Football\"<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

A full flag presentation and a moment of silence for the victims of the Annunciation shooting before the Vikings game at U.S. Bank Stadium on Sunday. (Carlos Gonzalez\/The Minnesota Star Tribune)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Football Thielen first out of the tunnel<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
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7:15 p.m.<\/b> – Fans greeted Adam Thielen with a standing ovation during his first Vikings home game in over two and a half years. The team made Thielen the first member of the offense announced out of the tunnel during pregame festivities.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Thielen, the 13th-year veteran from Detroit Lakes, soaked in the scene in warmups, tossing a football with purple-clad fans in Section 119 right behind the the end zone of the Vikings\u2019 half of the field. One fan in the stands held up a sign that read: \u201cHooked On A Thielen.\u201d Fans watched a video montage of Thielen\u2019s Vikings highlights and interviews shown on the videoboards before kickoff.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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He was the first player out of the Vikings ship tunnel during player introductions, proclaimed as \u201creturning home\u201d and given a loud ovation. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Thielen caught one pass \u2014 a two-point conversion \u2014 in Monday night\u2019s win in Chicago. He dropped his only other target while playing 32 snaps [57%] as the No. 3 receiver behind Justin Jefferson and Jalen Nailor. He had not played for the Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium since the January 2023 playoff loss to the Giants.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Football Who ya got?<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
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7:00 p.m.<\/b> – We asked readers to vote on who will win tonight\u2019s game. Click on the results tab below to see the results. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Football Three things that I will be watching tonight<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
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  1. J.J.\u2019s emotions.<\/b> What a whirlwind week it\u2019s been for the 22-year-old quarterback. McCarthy ignited a stirring fourth-quarter comeback in his NFL debut in his hometown of Chicago last Monday night, then become a dad a few days later with the birth of his son. Now he will be playing his first regular-season game at U.S. Bank Stadium. That\u2019s a lot to process. Curious to see McCarthy\u2019s emotions early on as he gets settled into the game.\n
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    1. Dallas Turner is expected to start<\/b> in place of Andrew Van Ginkel (concussion) at outside linebacker. Turner had a strong training camp and will get a chance to show his improvement in what should be the most snaps in a game in his young career.\n
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      1. The Vikings are thin in the secondary<\/b> with safety Harrison Smith (illness) and cornerback Jeff Okudah (concussion) declared out with a concussion. They cannot afford more injuries back there.\n
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          Football Vikings again honor victims of Annunciation shooting<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
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          6:50 p.m. <\/b>– The Vikings are once again wearing shirts to honor the victims from the Annunciation Church and School shooting on Aug. 27. They\u2019ll also hold a moment of silence before the game. The shirts feature Annunciation\u2019s logo on the front and the back shows its \u201cEssential Agreement,\u201d which is \u201cBe kind. Be respectful. Be inclusive. Be my best self. Be Brave.\u201d These shirts are not available for sale by the team, and retailers who are selling them are being served cease and desist letters, a team spokesman said earlier this week.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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          \"Football\"<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

          Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O\u2019Connell wears a shirt to honor the victims of the Annunciation shooting during pregame warmups at U.S. Bank Stadium on Sunday. (Elizabeth Flores\/The Minnesota Star Tribune)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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          Football Vikings welcome Adam Thielen back home<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
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          6:40 p.m. <\/b>– Before Adam Thielen came onto the field for his pregame warmups with the Vikings receiver group, the video boards at U.S. Bank Stadium played a highlight reel of Thielen\u2019s previous run with the Vikings and clips from his interviews since he was traded back to his home state last month. Ozzy Osbourne\u2019s \u201cMama, I\u2019m Coming Home\u201d was playing as Thielen ran onto the field behind Justin Jefferson to cheers from the gathering crowd. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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          \"Football\"<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

          Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson hugs Adam Thielen before they take on the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday night. (Elizabeth Flores\/The Minnesota Star Tribune)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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          Football Justin Jefferson nears another milestone<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
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          6:35 p.m.<\/b> – Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson will hit 500 career receptions whenever he makes his first reception tonight. He will tie Minneapolis-born, former Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald Jr. as the youngest player in NFL history to reach the mark at 26 years 90 days.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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          Jefferson could\u2019ve reached the mark last week, needing only five catches to hit it, but he finished the night with just four grabs (albeit a team high) for 44 yards. He was the receiver on the Vikings\u2019 first TD of the game against the Bears (also the first of J.J. McCarthy\u2019s NFL career.)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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          Jefferson critiqued his performance against Chicago, saying he needed to be better on the details and taking ownership for McCarthy\u2019s interception that was returned for a touchdown, having cut off his route two steps early.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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          \u201cI\u2019ve been saying this whole camp that I was the target for J.J. to throw to at anytime and I\u2019m gonna come up with the ball,\u201d Jefferson said. \u201cAs long as I touch that ball and I have the opportunity to come up with that ball, those are the plays that I need to come up with.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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          \"Football\"<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

          Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson warms up before their game against the Atlanta Falcons at U.S. Bank Stadium on Sunday night. (Carlos Gonzalez\/The Minnesota Star Tribune)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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          Football The secret to Eric Wilson\u2019s longevity<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
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          6:30 p.m. <\/b>– With inside linebacker Blake Cashman out for at least four games with a hamstring injury, Eric Wilson is expected to play an increased role. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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          The ninth-year veteran entered the league as an undrafted free agent with the Vikings in 2017 and returned to the team this offseason after spending the past four years with the Eagles, Texans and Packers.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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          \u201cHe\u2019s as professional and mature as any guy I\u2019ve been around, and he can play some football,\u201d defensive coordinator Brian Flores said of Wilson. \u201cI just think he\u2019s got a real instinctive, innate feel to the game.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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          \u201cHe really looks like he should be on stage at Mr. Olympia or whatever,\u201d safety Harrison Smith said. \u201cI\u2019m sure he could get into that if he wanted to. He\u2019s got the build for it.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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          \u201cHe\u2019s got the body straight from a Greek god,\u201d Cashman said. \u201cHe\u2019d tell you his secret is he eats a lot of fruit. He probably eats three, four big bowls of fruit per day. \u2026 I\u2019m talking a freezer gallon Ziploc bag of fruit on him at all times. It\u2019s crazy.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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          So, Eric, about all that fruit … <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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          \u201cAfter being in the league for so long,\u201d said Wilson, who turns 31 this month, \u201chaving to keep up with your body \u2014 I realize how much I love fruit and how much it hydrates me, and I just found it the best thing ever. Any session I have \u2014 or anything, anywhere \u2014 I bring an apple, a big ol\u2019 bag of watermelon, cantaloupe, anything.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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          Football Vikings-Falcons inactives: Harrison Smith out again<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
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          5:58 p.m.<\/b> – The Vikings secondary faces another talented aerial attack without safety Harrison Smith.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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          Smith, the 14th-year veteran, will miss his second straight game due to a personal health matter. Smith, 36, has said physical conditioning remains the only barrier to his return. He first practiced on Sept. 6 after a roughly three-week absence. He has remained limited in those sessions.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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          Safety Theo Jackson, who played all 67 defensive snaps on Monday night in Chicago, is expected to draw another start.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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          \"Football\"<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

          Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith was not in uniform for the second straight game because of an undisclosed illness. (Carlos Gonzalez\/The Minnesota Star Tribune)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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          Second-year outside linebacker Dallas Turner is expected to get his first NFL start replacing Van Ginkel. Eric Wilson, the ninth-year linebacker, will replace Cashman and relay defensive play calls with the in-helmet speaker.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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          Left tackle Christian Darrisaw is still not ready to return from the knee injury that ended his 2024 season. He was ruled out before kickoff. Coach Kevin O\u2019Connell said Darrisaw would\u2019ve been ruled out for Week 1 in Chicago, too, but they listed him questionable in order to get him a 30-minute pregame workout at Soldier Field.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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          The Vikings elevated cornerback Fabian Moreau and outside linebacker Gabe Murphy from the practice squad. Moreau, the 31-year-old veteran, could have a role in Okudah\u2019s absence.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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          Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. will have both top receivers Drake London and Darnell Mooney despite each dealing with shoulder injuries. Mooney missed Atlanta\u2019s Week 1 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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          Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins is returning to Minnesota for the second time since leaving in 2024 free agency. This time, he\u2019ll be a backup. Cousins threw for 344 yards and two interceptions in a 42-21 loss to the Vikings<\/a> in December. The Falcons benched him the following week.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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          Atlanta made a change at kicker: Parker Romo, who had a four-game stint for the Vikings last year replacing an injured Will Reichard, will get the nod over the struggling Younghoe Koo, who is inactive.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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          Vikings\u2019 inactives:<\/b> Smith (illness), Darrisaw (knee), Van Ginkel (concussion), Okudah (concussion), LB Austin Keys (groin), G Joe Huber<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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          Falcons\u2019 inactives: <\/b>K Younghoe Koo, WR Jamal Agnew, CB Clark Phillips III, OL Jack Nelson, WR Casey Washington, DL Sam Roberts<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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          Football What happened in Week 1<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
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          Vikings 27, Bears 24:<\/b> Trailing 17-6 when the fourth quarter began, quarterback J.J. McCarthy led the Vikings to three touchdowns in the final 15 minutes in his NFL debut on \u201cMonday Night Football.\u201d McCarthy, the No. 10 pick in the 2024 draft, was 13 of 20 for 143 yards with two TD passes and then ran 14 yards for the clinching score.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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          \"Football\"<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

          Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy, right, greets quarterbacks coach Josh McCown before the team’s game against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday night. (Carlos Gonzalez\/The Minnesota Star Tribune)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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          Buccaneers 23, Falcons 20:<\/b> Bucs rookie receiver Emeka Egbuka caught the go-ahead touchdown pass with 59 seconds left remaining, then Atlanta kicker Younghoe Koo badly missed a 44-yard attempt in the final seconds. The miss appears to have cost Koo his job. Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr., drafted two spots ahead of McCarthy in 2024, was 27 of 42 for 298 yards with one touchdown and ran for another score.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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          Football Who are you wearing, Vikings?<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
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          5:40 p.m. <\/b>– The Vikings will be wearing throwback uniforms tonight, modeled after the teams\u2019 jerseys from the 1960s and \u201870s with sleeve stripes and larger numbers outlined in gold.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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          Football What to expect before the game<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
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          5:30 p.m. <\/b>– The Vikings\u2019 gameday production crew<\/a> is lauded annually with sports entertainment awards and ranked first last season<\/a> in the NFL\u2019s \u201cVoice of the Fan\u201d survey, which asks fans who attended a game to rate their satisfaction with everything from pregame entertainment to concessions and stadium staff. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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          Tonight, 20 minutes before kickoff, the production team will unveil a new \u201cShowtime\u201d presentation, featuring cellists from the Minnesota Orchestra and the University of Minnesota. The presentation typically ends with fake snow falling from the ceiling as players emerge from a 30-foot tunnel shaped like a Viking ship.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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          \"Football\"<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

          Vikings safety Joshua Metellus wears a shirt to honor the victims of the Annunciation shooting during pregame warmups at U.S. Bank Stadium on Sunday. (Carlos Gonzalez\/The Minnesota Star Tribune)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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          Other highlights from the pregame plans:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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