FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — The storylines write themselves this week as the 6-6 Atlanta Falcons set to face a 10-2 Minnesota Vikings team. There's a lot on the line this week, pride as much as anything for one player in particular.
Here are your six things to watch when the Falcons face the Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium this Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.
Injury update
The Falcons entered into Week 14 with a relatively clean bill of health, with only a handful of players working through lingering injuries. The main names you need to be aware of heading into Sunday, though, is cornerback Mike Hughes and defensive lineman Ruke Orhorhoro.
Hughes has been out with a neck injury the last couple games, with Clark Phillips III starting in his spot. Hughes has been practicing for majority of that time, but Week 14 was his first full week of practice as a full participant. Still, the Falcons listed Hughes as questionable Friday in the team's game report.
Also listed as questionable was Orhorhoro, who returned to the practice field this week after being on injured reserve the last month with an ankle injury. The Falcons opened Orhorhoro's 21-day window to return to the active roster Wednesday, and can bring him back to the 53-man at any time during that window.
The Falcons will announce any practice squad elevations or roster moves Saturday at 4 p.m. ET, while the official inactives list will be released 90 minutes before kickoff Sunday.
Kirk Cousins' returns
Cousins is coming off one of his worst statistical performances as a starter in this league following last Sunday's four-interception day by the veteran quarterback. Not only that, but he's leading an offense that has underperformed by way of points scored in each of the last three outings — all three losses for the Falcons. But more than that, Cousins is heading into a weekend that'll take place in Minnesota — a place that helped shape him and his career.
Cousins is returning to U.S. Bank Stadium for the first time since he left in free agency this past March. Asked about his return this week, Cousins said the emotion that prevails is one of gratitude.
"When I arrived (in Minnesota) as a free agent, they took a chance on me," Cousins said. "Ownership took a chance. The organization did. I think, too, of so many teammates who gave so much to help me and coaches who gave so much to help me. The support staff – from nutrition, weight room, equipment and training crew – they really got me through my Achilles tear and were just on it the moment I tore it until I left in free agency."
We'll talk about this more later, but if there was ever a time for Cousins to show up for the Falcons, it's against a thriving Vikings team. If there was ever a time for Cousins to show up for himself? It's now, too.
A.J. Terrell vs. Justin Jefferson
This should be the marquee matchup of the game, and the Falcons know it seeing as Justin Simmons said this week the secondary is going to have four eyes — not just the two of Terrell — on Jefferson at all times.
Jefferson has been on par with what the league at large has come to expect from him. He's already surpassed 1,000-yards receiving in 2024, ranking as the No. 2 receiver in total yards this season. He's broken the 1,000-yard mark in all five of his years in the league. It'll be Terrell's responsibility to stop him.
Despite the lack of recognition Terrell gets nationally, he's been very good for the Falcons secondary in 2024. Asked about Terrell's play this week, defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake said to make no mistake about it: Terrell is "playing some big-time football" this season.
"He is the true lockdown corner in the National Football League," Lake said. "It is very nice to have a player of his magnitude that can do exactly what you say. If we need to go put him on somebody, we know that receiver is going to have a tough time getting production for that game. He takes that challenge to heart."
This isn't the first time Terrell and Jefferson have been matched up against one another. As Amna Subhan wrote this week, they saw each other in back-to-back years from college to the pros. They know each other well, and it's likely both will have their moments in the sun this Sunday. However, the key for the Falcons defense — Terrell mainly — will be to make sure those moments are limited.
Good vs. Good
Hey, guess what! You get not one but two marquee matchups this week. Congrats.
This is because Bijan Robinson? He's good. But the Vikings run defense? They're pretty dang good, too.
As Will McFadden pointed out on the podcast this week, this is a good vs. good situation brewing at the line of scrimmage. The Falcons are particularly lethal in their runs outside the tackles. Robinson has the fifth-best success rate amongst all running backs on such runs. The Vikings? They hold the second-lowest success rate allowed. Robinson has forced missed tackles at a clip that warrants a top-3 standing in the league. The Vikings? They play at a rate that garners the league's second-fewest missed tackles.
The Falcons love to use Robinson early, and a lot of their offensive success can be traced back to Robinson picking up yards on early downs. If the Vikings take that away, though, it could be tough sledding for Atlanta's offense seeing as only six other teams have a worse conversion rate this year in third-and-long situations.
Eyes on the South
Because of the last three losses and with only five games left to play in the regular season, we're at the point in the year where we have to really start crunching the numbers and the odds for a postseason berth. As I wrote this week in my notebook, in the Falcons quest to "outrun the South," the division is catching up.
The Falcons (6-6, 4-1) and the Buccaneers (6-6, 2-2) are tied at the top of the NFC South. If the Falcons lose to the Vikings this weekend and the Bucs simultaneously beat the Raiders, Tampa Bay will move into first place. That's the not-so-good news. The good news is that the Falcons do hold the tiebreaker over the Bucs, which in simplest terms mean the Falcons just have to win as many games as the Bucs down the stretch and they're in. The problem, though? That could be easier said than done, particularly if the Falcons drop from the top spot this weekend.
This thing is going to come down to the wire, which has been on par for this division the last few years. 2024 is expected to be no different.
Player of the Game prediction: Kirk Cousins
In my mind, this game hinges on the performance of Cousins, because it really is that simple when looking at one stat in particular.
According to Next Gen Stats, the Falcons are 1-6 when Cousins has a sub-90 passer rating, but 5-0 when he has a passer rating of 90 or higher. Where Cousins goes, the Falcons seem to follow. So, by that logic, the Falcons need Cousins at his best this weekend.
If the Falcons win this game, I believe they'll do so because Cousins performed well. I do not think this team can withstand a poor performance by Cousins and still expect to beat this Vikings team. The Falcons offense is going to have to out-score pace the Vikings offensively; because the Vikings are going to get their yards and likely their points, too. As Terrin Waack pointed out Friday, points for this Falcons team have been hard to come by, and if that trend continues, Sunday could be a long day. But not if Cousins is connecting and taking care of the ball. Then, things could get interesting.
Refresh your eyes and thirst with our weekly recap of our favorite images from week fourteen practices ahead of the Sunday matchup against the Minnesota Vikings, presented by Gatorade / FastTwitch.
Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Matthew Judon #15 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, December 4, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, December 4, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Antonio Hamilton Sr. #33 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, December 4, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman David Onyemata #90 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, December 4, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons safety Jessie Bates III #3 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, December 4, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins #18 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, December 4, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, December 4, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons safety Richie Grant #27 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, December 4, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud III #34 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, December 4, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons kicker Younghoe Koo #6 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, December 4, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Brandon Dorlus #54 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, December 4, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, December 4, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Ruke Orhorhoro #98 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, December 4, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Zach Harrison #96 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, December 4, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
A Gatorade bottle during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, December 4, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons safety Richie Grant #27 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, December 4, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Ruke Orhorhoro #98 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, December 4, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman David Onyemata #90 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, December 4, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive back Clark Phillips III #22 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, December 4, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Matthew Judon #15 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, December 4, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Casey Washington #82 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, December 4, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons safety Justin Simmons #31 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, December 4, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
A Gatorade bottle during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, December 4, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins #18 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, December 4, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons guard Chris Lindstrom #63 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, December 4, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson #7 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, December 4, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
A Gatorade bottle during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, December 4, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Jesse Matthews #86 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, December 4, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier #25 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, December 4, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud III #34 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, December 4, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins #18 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, December 4, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons safety Jessie Bates III #3 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, December 4, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts #8 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, December 4, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, December 4, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons tight end Charlie Woerner #89 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, December 4, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons offensive lineman Matthew Bergeron #65 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, December 4, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons offensive lineman Matthew Bergeron #65 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, December 4, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons offensive lineman Elijah Wilkinson #71 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, December 4, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons safety Jessie Bates III #3 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, December 4, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons inside linebacker Troy Andersen #44 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, December 4, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
