The Minnesota Vikings had great performances from two of their rookies on Sunday in their 41-28 victory over the Atlanta Falcons. Rookie running back Jerick McKinnon gained 135 yards on 18 carries and Rookie quarterback Teddy Bridgewater completed 19-of-30 passes for 317 yards. Running back Matt Asiata carried for 78 yards on 20 carries with three rushing touchdowns. The three rushing touchdowns tied Matt Asiata with players like Adrian Peterson, Chester Taylor, Hershcel Walker, and Daunte Culpepper, among others, for the most rushing touchdowns in a game in Minnesota Vikings history.
A week after dismantling the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, it was Atlanta who could not seem to stop the Minnesota offense on Sunday. The Vikings accumulated 558 yards of total offense which was the most they had gotten since October 17, 2004 when they earned 605 yards of total offense in a 38-31 win at the New Orleans Saints. Daunte Culpepper threw for 425 yards and five touchdowns in that game. Atlanta is now second to last in the NFL allowing 429.8 yards per game.
If there was only one negative for the Vikings in this game it was that Teddy Bridgewater did not actually finish the game. He had to leave the game on a cart after suffering an ankle injury in the fourth quarter on the two-point conversion attempt which ultimately would be the winning score of the game. Head coach Mike Zimmer said after the game that Bridgewater would be getting an MRI but as of now we do not know the extent of the injury. Christian Ponder finished off the game in relief.
Minnesota plays their first division game next week with a trip to Lambeau Field to face off with the Green Bay Packers. The game is the nationally televised Thursday Night Football game on CBS. The Atlanta Falcons play on the road at MetLife Stadium against the New York Giants.