The Atlanta Falcons roll into the Metrodome Sunday without Michael Vick. This is good news for the Vikings, who have not fared well against the dynamic QB in the past (or against running QBs in general). The Falcons have replaced their embattled ex-field general with the relatively immobile Joey Harrington, late of the Detroit Lions and Miami Dolphins. The Vikings have, as we know, eaten Joey Harrington’s lunch over the course of his career – Mr. Harrington’s record against Minnesota stands at 1-6, including 0-6 as a member of the Lions (he got us last year as QB of the Dolphins). Harrington’s worst game against the Vikings came in 2003 when he threw for 167 yards on 41 attempts, with 1 TD and 4 INTs. Harrington has been mostly hapless against a Viking defense that’s been known at times to make mediocre passers look like Marino.
The Falcons do have offensive weapons though, like TE Alge Crumpler and WR Joe Horn – what remains to be seen is whether Harrington will develop any chemistry with them. On the ground, the Falcons will go with a combination of Warrick Dunn and rookie Jerious Norwood. Dunn has put up some big days against the Vikings in the past – including a 126-yard, 1-TD effort in 2005 – but the run defense is stouter now than it’s been in years, and should be able to contain the shifty but aging back.
The Falcons’ own defense is potentially formidable – though it may be without DT Grady Jackson, who is suffering from back spasms. This could open up the middle for Viking runners Adrian Peterson and Chester Taylor. The Atlanta secondary is also experiencing injury problems – starting safety Chris Crocker is out with a bad knee, which could hurt their coverage.
Bottom Line: The Falcons are a diminished team without Vick. True, Vick never developed into the winner some thought he would become – but his skills gave defensive coordinators fits, and seemed to particularly irk the Vikings, who looked Keystone Kops-like at times against him. Joey Harrington is a pocket-passer – one who gets rattled when rushed, and will make dumb throws that turn into picks. The Vikings’ ball-hawking secondary must be salivating at the thought of the juicy floaters that will be coming their way tomorrow. It’s hard to imagine the Falcon offense doing much of anything against the Purple either in the air or on the ground. Unfortunately, the Vikings’ own offense remains a work-in-progress, and the Falcon D is certainly strong enough to exploit this. The game-plan against Tarvaris Jackson is simplicity itself – blitz him and see how he reacts. One would expect the Falcons to stack the D against the run otherwise and force Jackson to beat them through the air. The Vikes, it seems, must pound at the Falcons’ weakened middle – and passing-wise, stay away from Falcon CB D’Angelo Hall. The Viking air-attack is already suspect, but will be further hampered this week with both Bobby Wade and Robert Ferguson suffering from bum ankles.
Pick: The Vikings intercept Joey Harrington more than once, and run at least one back for a TD. They’ll need that defensive score, as their offense will almost certainly struggle. They win their home opener 17-10.
Star of the Game: Antoine Winfield.