TVA Predictions: Can the Vikings push their winning streak to eight?

Adam Carlson:

Vikings win 31-27

The Minnesota Vikings are on a seven-game winning streak and look to continue rolling as they face off against one of the most explosive teams in the NFL in Week 13 of the NFL season, the Atlanta Falcons.

Offensively, the Vikings will look to pound the football on the ground using Jerick McKinnon and Latavius Murray. The Falcons are giving up 4.4 yards per rushing attempt this season and have seen eight touchdowns ran in on them through the first 12 weeks. Minnesota’s offensive line should be able to push the defenders back to make room for their running backs.

Meanwhile, Adam Thielen will continue his streak of being the most targeted Vikings receiver and catch at least five passes in this game. Sprinkle in catches from Stefon Diggs, Kyle Rudolph, and Jerick McKinnon, and quarterback Case Keenum will have a solid game that won’t be statistically impressive, but efficient.

Defensively, Minnesota will need to contain one of the most explosive franchises in the NFL. Atlanta averages 8.1 yards per catch and complete 67.7 percent of their passes, and those numbers skyrocket when looking at passes from Matt Ryan to wide receiver Julio Jones. But focusing too much on Julio can open things up for his teammates, meaning Rhodes will get a lot of one-on-one time against the NFL’s second-leading receiver.

Minnesota can’t have their defense focus entirely on the passing game though. Atlanta averages 4.4 yards per rushing attempt and has scored 10 rushing touchdowns. The big plays aren’t relegated to throws either, with 11 runs this year going for 20 or more yards so far this year.

This will be one of the most competitive games of the season for Minnesota, and it will go down to the wire. The Vikings’ defense will bend, but not break against the Falcons and allow the boys in purple to emerge from Georgia victorious.