Vikings Grip on NFC North Will Tighten With Win Over Falcons
Sunday features a big NFC showdown with playoff implications when the Minnesota Vikings visit the Atlanta Falcons. The current line has Atlanta favored by 3 points with the over/under point total on 47.
Entering this game, Minnesota on the season is 9-2 straight up and 8-3 against the spread. On the road, the Vikings are 3-1 SU and 2-2 ATS. Atlanta on the season is 7-4 SU and 5-6 ATS. At home, the Falcons are 3-2 SU and ATS.
Minnesota is headed toward the NFC North title but must face two tough back to back games on the road against NFC South contenders. The Vikings enter this showdown Sunday riding a seven-game winning streak, while Atlanta has won three straight.
Minnesota leads the NFC North by three games and has the NFC’s second best overall record. Atlanta is back in contention for the postseason thanks to its current winning streak.
The Falcons offense sputtered during a 1-4 run earlier this season scoring 17 points or less in its four losses, but has scored 95 points during its current three-game winning streak. Atlanta is now just one game behind NFC South leaders Carolina and New Orleans.
Case Keenum continues to start at quarterback for Minnesota and over his past three games has thrown for 866 yards and seven touchdowns, while throwing only two interceptions.
Minnesota’s defense is allowing just 290.3 yards per game and is No. 2 in the league against the run allowing only 75.5 yards per game.
Atlanta wide receiver Julio Jones is coming off a monstrous game of 253 yards receiving and two touchdowns in a game in which he caught 12 passes.
Atlanta’s Devonta Freeman returns at running back after missing three games due to a concussion.
Atlanta’s defense ranks ninth in sacks with 30 but is 31st in interceptions with just three.
Atlanta quarterback Matt Ryan has thrown a touchdown pass in 29 consecutive games, which is the longest active streak in the NFL.
Minnesota defensive end Everson Griffen is tied for the NFL lead in quarterback sacks with 12.
Minnesota is 30-8 ATS in games outside the NFC North under Mike Zimmer their head coach.
Atlanta is 1-3 SU and ATS as 2.5-point or higher chalk during December under coach Dan Quinn.
Prediction: Minnesota’s defense will contain the Falcons offense and Case Keenum will lead the Vikings to victory.
