The Minnesota Vikings are set to face the Atlanta Falcons this Sunday Night Football. The Vikings look to secure their second consecutive victory after defeating the Chicago Bears 27-24, while the Falcons aim to rebound from a 23-20 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The Falcons (0-1) finished last season at 8-9, placing second in the NFC South with a road record of 4-4. In contrast, the Vikings (1-0) achieved a 14-3 overall record and a remarkable 8-1 home record last season. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:20 p.m. ET at U.S. Bank Stadium. Minnesota leads the all-time series against Atlanta 22-12, having won six of their last seven encounters, including a decisive 42-21 victory in December last year.
In betting lines, the Vikings are favored by 3.5 points, with an over/under set at 44.5 points. The Vikings’ money line is -177, suggesting they need to risk $177 to win $100, while the Falcons sit at +148.
Why the Vikings can secure a win
Quarterback J.J. McCarthy aims to build on his recent performance, having completed 13 of 20 passes for 143 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception against the Bears. In college at Michigan, he had a stellar career, leading his team to a national championship in 2023.
His top target this season has been veteran wideout Justin Jefferson, who tallied four receptions for 44 yards and one touchdown in the season opener.
Why the Falcons can triumph
On the other side, second-year quarterback Michael Penix Jr. stats from the season opener include 27 completions on 42 attempts for 298 yards and one touchdown. He also rushed for a score. Leading the Falcons’ ground game is Bijan Robinson, who had a productive first year.
Making the Picks
Expert R.J. White has an impressive record, having achieved 63 wins versus 32 losses in his past 100 picks involving the Vikings. He recommends leaning toward the under on the points total and has identified a critical variable that could influence the spread.
For a comprehensive analysis and to discover which side of the spread to support, visit SportsLine now.
