After an excruciating five-game preseason, the Falcons finally get to play a meaningful football this Sunday. The team travels to Minnesota for a matchup with the Vikings in Week 1 of the regular season. Both teams missed the playoffs last season, but both are expected to contend in 2019.
The Falcons are hoping an explosive offense and a significantly healthier defense will be enough to get them back on track after a 7-9 finish in 2018.
The Vikings finished 8-7-1, good for second place in the NFC North. Big money free-agent quarterback Kirk Cousins posted decent numbers — 30 touchdown passes, 4,298 yards and 10 interceptions — but it didn’t translate into team success.
The oddsmakers don’t like Atlanta’s chances, listing them as a four-point underdog against Minnesota. The over/under for Sunday’s opener is 47.5 points.
The Vikings have dominated this matchup historically, going 19-11 against the Falcons. They have won the last three meetings.
Kickoff is at 1:00 p.m. ET at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.
