Minnesota Vikings at Atlanta Falcons: Week 12 game review

The Minnesota Vikings took on the Atlanta Falcons in a week 12 NFL match-up, but what were the good, bad, and interesting things that happened in the game?

Nov 29, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) calls a play at the line of scrimmage in the first quarter of their game against the Minnesota Vikings at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

Coming into week 12, the NFL’s playoff picture is starting to take place. At the top of the NFC North, the Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers are fighting for position while the team that doesn’t win that battle will likely have to hope for a Wild Card spot. But getting a Wild Card spot won’t be easy.

There are several teams looking to grab one of those spots. The Atlanta Falcons are one of them. The “Dirty Birds” opened the season on a five game winning streak, but have since dropped four the their last 5. Still, they hoped to rebound using the NFL’s best rush defense and the NFL’s leader in rushing touchdowns to help propel them to the playoffs.

Anytime you have the two best in the NFL at something, it’s going to be interesting. Atlanta’s #1 run defense going up against the league’s leading rusher in Adrian Peterson creates an “unstoppable force vs immovable object” type scenario that was very fun to watch.

On the flip side of the ball, the Minnesota Vikings will be looked to keep the explosive Julio Jones in check, who leads the NFL in receiving yards coming into the game against a defense missing their hard-hitting safety, Harrison Smith.

The game ended with a final score of 20-10 in Minnesota’s favor , but let’s talk about the good, bad, and interesting things that helped get to that score. We’ll start with the good.

Next: The Good