Week 13 Ups and Downs: Minnesota Vikings at Atlanta Falcons

ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 03: Case Keenum #7 of the Minnesota Vikings shakes hands with Brooks Reed #50 of the Atlanta Falcons after winning the game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 3, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 03: Case Keenum #7 of the Minnesota Vikings shakes hands with Brooks Reed #50 of the Atlanta Falcons after winning the game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 3, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GA – DECEMBER 03: Jerick McKinnon #21 of the Minnesota Vikings runs the ball during the second half against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 3, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – DECEMBER 03: Jerick McKinnon #21 of the Minnesota Vikings runs the ball during the second half against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 3, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

Overall impression of Week 13 vs Falcons

This was one of the scariest teams on the schedule for the Minnesota Vikings as soon as the schedule was released and when the game played out, it was obvious that the Falcons are one of the toughest teams in the league.

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Of course, the media will be talking about Julio Jones. Only having two catches for 24 yards against the Vikings defense will be the headline, and much of that credit will go to Xavier Rhodes despite it being a team effort to shut down the Falcons offense.

The fact that Atlanta was kept out of the end zone for the entire game is amazing considering all the weapons and explosive firepower the Falcons have. If there were any questions remaining about Minnesota’s defense, they should be gone after this game.

Offensively, there was so much to love. Case Keenum spread the ball around well without taking too many chances in a tight game while the running game continued to be a strength for Latavius Murray.

As a whole, this might be the most impressive win of the season for Minnesota. They showed so much toughness and heart on both offense and defense and did so without their starting right tackle once again.

Next: TVA Week 13 predictions vs Falcons

The Minnesota Vikings will stay on the road in Week 14 when they head to Carolina to take on the Panthers. We’ll be back next week with more Ups and Downs from that game and we hope you will join us!