The Falcons begin the 2019 season on the road with an NFC clash against the Minnesota Vikings at 1 pm ET on Sunday.
RELATED CONTENT
The Vikings, similar to the Falcons, started the 2018 season with high expectations, but ultimately ended up missing the postseason finishing the year 8-7-1.
Here's a look at what you can expect from the Vikings on Sunday:
The Kirk Cousins show
Cousins enters his second year in Minnesota coming off a season where he threw for 4,298 yards and 30 touchdowns.
Dalvin Cook looking like his dangerous self again
Following his rookie season in which he tore his ACL after four games, Cook returned healthy for the 2018 season. He suffered a hamstring injury early on in the season that forced him to miss five games but when he returned, he rushed for 615 yards and caught 40 passes for 305 yards.
Adam Thielen, Stefon Diggs a receiver duo to watch
Both Thielen and Diggs caught more than 100 passes in Minnesota's offense last season. Cousins likes to air out to his receivers and they made the most of every play. Both receivers finished with over 1,000 receiving yards in 2018.
Download Official Atlanta Falcons App
Breaking news, exclusive content, live streaming of games, and more delivered straight to your phone!
Familiar faces return for Minnesota's defense
The Vikings return 10 of 11 starters from a unit that finished fourth in yards allowed per game (309.7). Minnesota's defensive line features three standout players Danielle Hunter, Everson Griffen and Linval Joseph who combined for 21 sacks in 2018. Hunter accounted for more than half of the sacks. Xavier Rhodes remains one of the top cornerbacks in the league and will have his hands full trying to contain Julio Jones.
New coordinator, new look on offense
After being elevated to interim offensive coordinator for the final three games of the 2018 season, Kevin Stefanski has taken the reins of the Vikings' offense with the assistance of longtime NFL coach, Gary Kubiak. Head coach Mike Zimmer was very open in saying he wanted his team to run the ball more last season and that will be the case with Kubiak's wide-zone scheme being implemented.
The Falcons' 2019 roster is constantly evolving and we've amassed all the players in one gallery that will be updated throughout the year.
S Ricardo Allen
DE Allen Bailey
RB Kenjon Barner
OLB Vic Beasley Jr.
OG Jamon Brown
LB De'Vondre Campbell
DE Adrian Clayborn
DE John Cominsky
DL Jack Crawford
DT Tyeler Davison
RB Devonta Freeman
WR Russell Gage
T Matt Gono
LB Jermaine Grace
TE Jaeden Graham
WR Justin Hardy
LS Josh Harris
TE Austin Hooper
S Kemal Ishmael
DT Grady Jarrett
LB Deion Jones
WR Julio Jones
S Damontae Kazee
C Alex Mack
T Jake Matthews
Kaleb McGary
DB Jordan Miller
DE Takk McKinley
S Keanu Neal
S Sharrod Neasman
RB Qadree Ollison
CB Isaiah Oliver
LB Foye Oluokun
FB Ricky Ortiz
WR Calvin Ridley
LB Duke Riley
QB Matt Ryan
T Ty Sambrailo
WR Mohamed Sanu
QB Matt Schaub
G Wes Schweitzer
DT Deadrin Senat
DB Kendall Sheffield
RB Ito Smith
TE Luke Stocker
CB Desmond Trufant
CB Blidi Wreh-Wilson
WR Olamide Zaccheaus
