Vikings vs Birdies

[MAD GAINZ]

From the 2023 QB draft class battle JJM plays Williams, Daniels, and Penix.
It's pretty amazing that his first two games are against his draft class.

I'm sure the NFL schedule makers realized that when they were putting it together.  Don't think it was coincidental.

[purplefaithful]

McCarthy, Penix share the field again: The last time J.J. McCarthy played a game against Michael Penix Jr. was on Jan. 8, 2024, when Michigan defeated Washington 34-13 in the college football national championship game. That storyline will likely be referenced frequently on Sunday night, in a matchup NBC probably claimed for the early part of the season while both teams are still relevant. The Vikings spent time with Penix before last year’s draft, and took McCarthy two picks after the Falcons delivered the stunner of the night by selecting Penix eighth overall even though they’d just signed Cousins to a four-year, $180 million contract.


McCarthy looks to cap big week with home win: On Wednesday, McCarthy was named the NFC offensive player of the week for leading the Vikings’ comeback win in his hometown on Monday night. On Thursday, he left the Vikings’ facility following team meetings to be with his fiancée, Katya Kuropas, as she gave birth to the couple’s first child. It’s surely a week he’ll never forget, and he’ll finish it with his first start at U.S. Bank Stadium in prime time. The Falcons took Georgia pass rusher Jalon Walker 15th overall to help a middling pass rush, and Notre Dame safety Xavier Watts (Atlanta’s third-round pick) had an impressive debut last week. But if the Vikings can give McCarthy time to throw, he could test the Falcons’ secondary.

Jefferson seeks a sharper outing: Though he caught McCarthy’s first NFL touchdown pass on Monday night, Justin Jefferson had an uncharacteristically sloppy start to the season, with two dropped passes and a few route-running errors. He took responsibility for McCarthy’s pick-six on Thursday, saying he needed to take two more steps in his route to time his break with McCarthy’s throw, and had several other routes he cut off short of the intended spot. “I’ve got to be better at detailing my route and getting to where I need to be,” he said.

Vikings get first look at Penix: Atlanta’s second-year quarterback was still the backup last December when the Falcons came to U.S. Bank Stadium. He took over the job from Cousins later that month, and threw for 298 yards and a touchdown while running for another score last week. Penix, who’s had two torn ACLs in his career, isn’t a frequent running threat (though the Vikings praised his mobility this week). He’s got the arm strength to push the ball downfield, and could look to Darnell Mooney to stretch the field if the receiver returns from injury this week. The Vikings could be without Andrew Van Ginkel because of a concussion this week; if they are, they’ll give Dallas Turner his first start as the second-year pass rusher tries to pressure Penix.

Robinson can ”ruin a game”: In the matchup between the teams last December, Bijan Robinson gained 92 yards on 22 carries, but the Vikings limited the eighth pick in the 2023 draft to two catches for 9 yards. That’s significant given the fact he caught 61 passes last year and posted 100 yards on six catches last week, including a swing pass he took 50 yards for a touchdown after Penix found the running back on a checkdown. “He’s as hard to tackle as there is in the National Football League,” Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores said. “He’s got great vision. He can get to the perimeter. He’s certainly got the jump cut. He can put his foot in the ground if you overun it. It’s not just your normal swing routes to a running back. He can run slants and slant gos. He’s got the whole arsenal as far as route-running ability. I was telling our guys earlier, this guy can ruin a game.”


The Falcons‘ offensive weapons, especially with Robinson’s elusiveness and Drake London’s physicality, will test a Vikings defense that could be without at least two starters because of injury and had three defensive backs on the injury report this week. It will require the Vikings to get creative with their secondary, and they’ll need solid performances from players like cornerback Dwight McGlothern. But they’ll get a boost from a U.S. Bank Stadium crowd that should be electric on Sunday night, and their offense will have some favorable matchups against Atlanta’s defense. They’ll win their home opener in a close one. Vikings 23, Falcons 21

STRIB

[greediron]

McCarthy, Penix share the field again: The last time J.J. McCarthy played a game against Michael Penix Jr. was on Jan. 8, 2024, when Michigan defeated Washington 34-13 in the college football national championship game. That storyline will likely be referenced frequently on Sunday night, in a matchup NBC probably claimed for the early part of the season while both teams are still relevant. The Vikings spent time with Penix before last year’s draft, and took McCarthy two picks after the Falcons delivered the stunner of the night by selecting Penix eighth overall even though they’d just signed Cousins to a four-year, $180 million contract.


McCarthy looks to cap big week with home win: On Wednesday, McCarthy was named the NFC offensive player of the week for leading the Vikings’ comeback win in his hometown on Monday night. On Thursday, he left the Vikings’ facility following team meetings to be with his fiancée, Katya Kuropas, as she gave birth to the couple’s first child. It’s surely a week he’ll never forget, and he’ll finish it with his first start at U.S. Bank Stadium in prime time. The Falcons took Georgia pass rusher Jalon Walker 15th overall to help a middling pass rush, and Notre Dame safety Xavier Watts (Atlanta’s third-round pick) had an impressive debut last week. But if the Vikings can give McCarthy time to throw, he could test the Falcons’ secondary.

Jefferson seeks a sharper outing: Though he caught McCarthy’s first NFL touchdown pass on Monday night, Justin Jefferson had an uncharacteristically sloppy start to the season, with two dropped passes and a few route-running errors. He took responsibility for McCarthy’s pick-six on Thursday, saying he needed to take two more steps in his route to time his break with McCarthy’s throw, and had several other routes he cut off short of the intended spot. “I’ve got to be better at detailing my route and getting to where I need to be,” he said.

Interesting take by Justin.  That throw did look terrible, but what often looks like a mistake by the QB can be a mistake by the WR as well.  Not practicing has definitely hurt him.

[StickierBuns]

[purplefaithful]

JJM should thank his god everyday for landing with KOC....Thats a good find Sticky.

[StickierBuns]

JJM should thank his god everyday for landing with KOC....Thats a good find Sticky.

I think he and his family pretty darn well knew the rose garden he fell into  

[purplefaithful]

I saw a little SKOL clap in there too lol!

---

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- The Atlanta Falcons' starting wide receiver corps has a clean bill of health for the first time in a month and a half.

Drake London and Darnell Mooney will not have any injury designation going into this weekend, which means both are expected to play in the Falcons' "Sunday Night Football" matchup at the Minnesota Vikings.

Both London and Mooney had been limited this week with shoulder injuries. London came out of last week's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with an injury in the final minutes. Mooney, meanwhile, got hurt July 24, the first day of training camp, and just started practicing again two weeks ago.

London had 55 yards on eight receptions in Week 1. Last year, in his third season, London was fourth in the NFL in receiving yards (1,271), ninth in receptions (100) and tied for 11th in receiving touchdowns (9), all career highs for him.

Mooney had 992 yards on 64 catches and a career-high five touchdowns in 2024.

Falcons rookie edge rusher James Pearce Jr. (groin) and rookie cornerback Billy Bowman (shoulder) are both considered questionable, though coach Raheem Morris said he felt good about both playing.

Reserve wide receiver Casey Washington (concussion) and return man Jamal Agnew have been ruled out. Cornerback Dee Alford will be the primary returner in Agnew's absence, Morris said.

ESPN

[greediron]

Vikings Position Injury Wednesday Thursday Friday Game Status
Jeff Okudah CB Concussion DNP DNP                    Out
Andrew Van Ginkel OLB Concussion DNP DNP        Out
Christian Darrisaw T Knee FP LP                      Out
Harrison Smith S Illness LP LP                              Questionable
Josh Oliver TE Ankle DNP DNP -
Isaiah Rodgers CB Elbow - LP -
Ryan Kelly C Toe DNP DNP -
J.J. McCarthy QB Not Injury Related - Personal Matter - DNP -
Myles Price WR Knee LP LP -
Zavier Scott RB Ankle FP LP -
Jalen Nailor WR Hand FP FP -
Elijah Williams DL Hamstring FP FP -

This really sucks.

---

I imagine with the short week, the 2 in concussion protocol couldn't make it thru all the days per protocol.

[MAD GAINZ]

Not having Darrisaw again and losing Gink this week will be tough.

[Kentis]

Setback for Darrisaw or just caution? Let’s hope it’s the latter…