Sixteen Players to Watch: Falcons at Vikings
As the Atlanta Falcons take on the Minnesota Vikings, keep an eye on these eight players from each team that could play key roles during this Sunday's match-up.
Creating one of the biggest plays for the Atlanta Falcons defense against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers was S Kemal Ishmael with a pick-six during the first quarter. Ishmael is one of only two players for the Falcons to have an interception so far this season and was one of many highlights on the night against the Bucs.
Vikings' LB Anthony Barr leads the team in tackles with 32 and with 10 tackles in each of the first three games, the rookie has looked solid. Barr registered his first career sack last week against the Saints and keeping him away from QB Matt Ryan will be a priority for the Falcons' offensive line.
High-stepping into history during the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, WR Devin Hester has shined on special teams for the Falcons. Hester has scored four return touchdowns on the Vikings in the past and Sunday is the perfect opportunity to score the fifth.
Lined up across from T Jake Matthews on the line will be DE Everson Griffen. Griffen had two sacks during the first game of the season and Matthews will have his hands full keeping Griffen away from QB Matt Ryan.
RB Steven Jackson continues to lead the running game for the Falcons' offense. Jackson rolled into the endzone breaking tackles last week to score a touchdown and is continuing to build momentum.
The Falcons will see a familiar face in the Vikings' defense with CB Captain Munnerlyn, a former Carolina Panther and a player the Falcons used to face twice a year. This will be his 11th time in his career going up against the Falcons offense.
DE Jonathan Massaquoi made his presence known on the Falcons defense with the first sack of the season. Pressuring Vikings' rookie QB Teddy Bridgewater will be this week's challenge for the Falcons defense.
From rushing to receiving, Vikings' WR Cordarrelle Patterson does it all. Patterson leads the team in both rushing yards (95) and receiving yards (143) and with rookie QB Teddy Bridgewater in his first start, the offense will rely on Patterson's ability to make plays.
Covering Vikings' WR Cordarrelle Patterson will be this week's challenge for Falcons' CB Desmond Trufant. Trufant's coverage of receivers through the beginning of the season has been impressive and with a rookie QB at the Vikings' helm, Trufant may have big opportunities to disrupt plays.
Vikings' veteran WR Greg Jennings has the most receptions for the team going into the game against the Falcons. In his career, Jennings has caught 13 passes for 288 yards against the Falcons.
LB Paul Worrilow has led the way for the Falcons defense and is tied for first in the NFL in tackles with 35 total. Worrilow's ability to stop the play has been evident through the first three games of the season.
Returning an interception 81-yards for a touchdown against the St. Louis Rams was Vikings' S Harrison Smith's third interception return in his career and tied him for third in team history. Along with his career high tackles against the New England Patriots, and passes defensed against the New Orleans Saints, Smith is a huge threat on the Vikings' defense.
And the receivers are back to 100%. This week marks the return of WR Roddy White after suffering a hamstring injury during Week 2 against the Cincinnati Bengals. White did not participate during last week's practices, but returned on Wednesday as a limited participant. White was one of the top targets for QB Matt Ryan to begin the season logging 114 receiving yards in the first two games.
Vikings' RB Matt Asiata has had to step up in the last few weeks at running back and between him and WR Cordarrelle Patterson have kept the running game going.
With the second most passing yards in the league with 965, QB Matt Ryan has looked impressive so far this season. The Falcons' offense ranks at the top of the league in total yards per game and in total passing yards per game. If Ryan can quickly get into rhythm, the offense will be able to over-power the Vikings' defense.
It's Teddy time. Vikings' rookie QB Teddy Bridgewater is getting his first start of his NFL career on Sunday after QB Matt Cassel suffered a foot injury in the last game. Ranked 31st in net passing yards so far this season, Bridgewater has an opportunity to step-up and prove himself, and with receivers like Cordarrelle Patterson and veteran Greg Jennings, Bridgewater could rack up the yards.
