5 Bold Predictions: Minnesota Vikings vs. Atlanta Falcons – Week 6
By Chris Schad
Gurley will run for over 100 yards
It wasn’t long ago that Todd Gurley was one of the premier running backs in the NFL. With a massive contract in hand, Gurley was the centerpiece of the Los Angeles Rams offense until an arthritic knee forced him to the bench. As the Rams cut Gurley two years into a four-year, $57.5 million deal, he was left for dead until he signed a one-year deal with the Falcons this offseason.
So far this year, Gurley has been a strong comeback story. He enters Sunday’s game fourth in the league in rushing yards and is coming off a season-high 121 yards against the Carolina Panthers in Week 5.
While Gurley’s game log reveals his effectiveness has wavered, he’s someone the Vikings defense will have to be concerned with. Minnesota ranks 27th in defensive DVOA against the run and they gave up 6.5 yards per carry to Seahawks running back Chris Carson last week.
The Falcons and Vikings are similar in that keeping their defense off the field may be the best way to win. The best way for Atlanta to do that would be to establish the run and that could mean big things for Gurley.