by Rod Pearson
Monday, Dec 02, 2024
Game Time: 1:00 pm ET, Sunday, December 8, 2024
Venue: U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, MN
Where to Watch: FOX
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Point Spread: Falcons +5, Vikings -5; Over/Under: 46 points
Bet365: Point Spread: Falcons +5, Vikings -5; Over/Under: 45.5 points
BetMGM: Point Spread: Falcons +5, Vikings -5; Over/Under: 45.5 points
Season Record
Atlanta Falcons: 6-6 (1st place, NFC South)
Minnesota Vikings: 10-2 (2nd place, NFC North)
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Atlanta Falcons: lost their last game at home against the Los Angeles Chargers 17-13.
Minnesota Vikings: won their last game at home against the Arizona Cardinals 23-22.
Atlanta Falcons vs Minnesota Vikings Preview and Analysis
The Falcons are entering this game with a 6-6 record overall and they have a 4-1 record in their divisional games too. They are 3-4 in their home games, 3-2 in their road games, and they are also 0-0 in their neutral site games this season, but they will be on the road for this game. They lost their last game against the Los Angeles Chargers 17-13. Kirk Cousins was the starting QB and he completed 24/39 passes for 245 passing yards, 0 touchdowns, and 4 interceptions. Bijan Robinson led the team in rushing yards with 102 and 1 TD. Ray-Ray McCloud III led the receivers with 95 receiving yards on 4 receptions. Kaden Elliss led the defense in that game with 3 solo tackles and 2 assisted tackles while Arnold Ebiketie led the defense in sacks with 2. No one on the defense came away with an interception for them in that one.
The Vikings are entering this game with a 10-2 record overall and they have a 2-1 record in their divisional games too. They are 4-1 in their home games, 5-1 in their road games, and they are also 1-0 in their neutral site games this season, but they will be at home for this game. They won their last game against the Arizona Cardinals 23-22. Sam Darnold was the starting QB and he completed 21/31 passes for 235 passing yards, 2 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions. Aaron Jones led the team in rushing yards with 22. Justin Jefferson led the receivers with 99 receiving yards on 7 receptions. Blake Cashman led the defense in that game with 9 solo tackles and 2 assisted tackles while Jonathan Greenard led the defense in sacks with 1. Shaquill Griffin and Byron Murphy Jr. each came away with 1 interception for them in that one.
Falcons vs Vikings Prediction
The current betting odds have the Vikings listed as a 5 point favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Vikings have looked really good in their games this season with their 10-2 record overall which has them in 2nd place of the NFC North and fighting for a Wild Card spot. They have the Lions ahead of them with an 11-1 record overall, but they are still in this division race. They are coming off a 23-22 win against the Cardinals in their last one, but they will be looking to have a better performance at home, especially with Kirk Cousins coming back to town. Meanwhile, the Falcons haven't looked great in their games this season with their 6-6 record overall, but that record has them leading the NFC South at the moment. They have the Buccaneers on their tail in a tight division race, and the Falcons haven't looked great lately with 3 losses in a row now. They were stumbling hard into their bye week, but they didn't look any better coming out of last week with a home loss to the Chargers, a game that Cousins threw 4 INTs in. Cousins hasn't looked good himself lately and the defense has been a disaster for this Falcons team all season. This won't be an easy defense for them to go up against, and the team will be playing with a chip on their shoulder to show Kirk they are better off with him gone. The Vikings escaped with a slim win against the Cardinals last week, but they will be more focused on this game against their former QB and can take advantage of the Falcons with the way they have been struggling lately. The best way to place a bet here is on the Vikings to cover the spread in this game.
Falcons Vikings Prediction: Our NFL Pick for Sunday, December 8, 2024 (1:00 pm ET start time) is Vikings 27 Falcons 17.
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NFL Betting Trends
Atlanta Falcons: 19-27 ATS in all games. 2-7 ATS off 3 or more consecutive unders. 3-6 ATS after scoring 14 points or less last game. 3-10 ATS vs. poor passing defenses - allowing 235 or more passing yards/game. 28-18 UNDER in all games. 16-6 UNDER as an underdog. 5-1 UNDER after 3 or more consecutive losses against the spread.
Minnesota Vikings: 8-3 ATS after 3 or more consecutive wins. 7-4 ATS vs. bad defensive teams who give up 24 or more points/game. 9-4 1H ATS off a home win. 8-3 UNDER vs. bad defensive teams who give up 24 or more points/game. 9-4 1H UNDER as a favorite of 3.5 to 9.5 points. 9-4 1H UNDER off a home win.
Key Injuries
Atlanta Falcons: J. Matthews (T) Injured - NIR-Rest. D. Onyemata (DL) Injured - NIR-Rest. G. Jarrett (DL) Injured - NIR-Rest. K. McGary (T) Injured - NIR-Rest. J. McClellan (RB) Out - Knee. Y. Koo (K) Questionable - Hip. C. Lindstrom (G) Injured - Knee. D. London (WR) Injured - Hip. J. Bertrand (LB) Injured - Concussion. A. Hamilton (CB) Injured - Pectoral. K. King (CB) Injured - Concussion. K. Hodge (WR) Injured - Neck. M. Hughes (CB) Out - Neck. C. Woerner (TE) Injured - Concussion. N. Landman (LB) Injured - Hamstring. T. Andersen (LB) Injured - Knee. D. Mooney (WR) Injured - Achilles. Z. Harrison (DL) Injured - Knee. D. Alford (CB) Injured - Hamstring. C. Washington (WR) Injured - Concussion. M. Judon (OLB) Injured - NIR - Rest. C. Phillips (CB) Injured - NIR - Personal.
Minnesota Vikings: H. Smith (SAF) Injured - NIR - Rest. S. Gilmore (CB) Injured - NIR - Rest. C. Robinson (OT) Questionable - Foot. K. Grugier-Hill (LB) Injured - Shoulder. H. Phillips (DL) Injured - Rest. B. Powell (WR) Injured - Ankle. P. Jones (OLB) Injured - Knee. A. Van Ginkel (OLB) Injured - Thigh. J. Ward (SAF) Out - Elbow. J. Bullard (DL) Injured - Toe. J. Oliver (TE) Out - Wrist.
Notable Quotes
“I've got to play better. I'm so disappointed right now. It hurts. I feel like that was a game we had a chance to win if I played at the standard I expect to.” - Kirk Cousins after their loss against the LA Chargers in their last game.
“Sam has been absolutely huge for us in these moments where everybody needs him.” - Kevin O’Connell after his team’s win against the Cardinals in their last game.
Starting Lineups
Atlanta Falcons
WR Mooney, Darnell
WR McCloud III, Ray-Ray
WR London, Drake
TE Pitts, Kyle
QB Cousins, Kirk
RB Robinson, Bijan
Minnesota Vikings
WR Jefferson, Justin
WR Addison, Jordan
WR Nailor, Jalen
TE Hockenson, T.J.
QB Darnold, Sam
RB Jones, Aaron
FB Ham, C.J.
Statistical Leaders
Atlanta Falcons
Passing: K. Cousins (3052)
Rushing: B. Robinson (885)
Receiving: D. London (796)
Touchdowns: B. Robinson (8)
Minnesota Vikings
Passing: S. Darnold (2952)
Rushing: A. Jones (820)
Receiving: J. Jefferson (1038)
Touchdowns: J. Jefferson (5)
Coaches:
Atlanta Falcons: Raheem Morris (1st season)
Minnesota Vikings: Kevin O'Connell (3rd season)
Rod Pearson
About the Author:
Rod Pearson has been a rabid sports fan his entire life. He grew up in Ontario, and was skilled in both hockey and baseball, and pitched in an elite baseball league for many years. In 2022, Rod decided to hang up his glove, so that he could write about the sports he loves -- but from a gambling perspective. Join Rod every day as he breaks down the games to find the best betting value.
