Vikings Matchup Nightmares: Week 1 vs. the Falcons
By Chris Schad
![(Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) Xavier Rhodes and Julio Jones (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) Xavier Rhodes and Julio Jones](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fthevikingage-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fgetty-images-2F2016-2F04-2F960840678-850x560-2260ad28ab52c351c4f8aae57253ee744326be1560ca0aa5ec1b66030f03bd3b.jpg)
The Minnesota Vikings will get a tough test on Sunday, as they host an Atlanta Falcons team with several weapons on both sides of the ball.
The Minnesota Vikings come into Sunday’s season opener against the Atlanta Falcons looking to make a statement. After coming up just short of the playoffs and well short of lofty expectations in 2018, Mike Zimmer and the Vikings will be looking to right the wrong this season as they look to get back among title contenders in a strong NFC.
On the opposite sideline, the Falcons will be looking for a similar trajectory in 2019. After their 2018 was ruined by injuries and deficiencies on both sides of the ball, Dan Quinn overhauled his coaching staff in hopes that he wouldn’t follow them out the door this coming winter.
This is far from an easy opener for Minnesota as the Atlanta has plenty of weapons that can hurt opponents on both sides of the ball. With the Falcons closer to full health than they were at any point last season, this could be a sleeper team that was three years removed from being on the doorstep of a Super Bowl title.
Atlanta also added some pieces since that team blew a big lead (I can’t seem to remember the score) in that game, making the Vikings keep their eye on multiple matchups as they head into Sunday.
During this week’s showdown against the Falcons, which three matchups could give Minnesota the most difficulty?