ON THE FALCONS BEAT
ON THE FALCONS BEAT

Five things to know before today’s Vikings at Falcons kickoff

By
Dec 3, 2017

Here are five things to know before today’s 1 p.m. kickoff at Mercedes-Benz Stadium between the Minnesota Vikings (9-2) and the Atlanta Falcons (7-4):

1. TRUFANT OUT: Desmond Trufant, the Falcons' top cornerback, was ruled out on Friday by coach Dan Quinn. Trufant remains in the NFL concussion-protocol program. He was hit by teammate Keanu Neal in the 34-20 win over Tampa Bay on Sunday.

2. RETURN OF FREEMAN: Running back Devonta Freeman is set to return to action after missing the past two games while in the league's concussion protocol.

3. MATCHUP TO WATCH: Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones and Minnesota cornerback Xavier Rhodes. Jones is coming off 253-yard game against the Bucs. Rhodes slowed Jones is games in 2014 and 2015.

4. SERIES HISTORY: This will be the 28th meeting. The Vikings lead 17-10. The Vikings won the last meeting 20-10 on Nov. 29, 2015 at the Georgia Dome.

5. GRIFFEN WATCH: Minnesota's Everson Griffen is tied for the league lead in sacks with 12. Falcons left tackle Jake Matthews will have his hands full.

About the Author

Honored by the Pro Football Hall of Fame in recognition of his "long and distinguished reporting in the field of pro football," D. Orlando Ledbetter, Esq. has covered the NFL 28 seasons. A graduate of Howard University, he's a winner of Georgia Sportswriter of the Year and three Associated Press Sports Editor awards.

Follow D. Orlando Ledbetter on facebookFollow D. Orlando Ledbetter on twitter
More Stories

Keep Reading

Unlike last season, when Kirk Cousins was the undisputed starter for the Atlanta Falcons at quarterback heading into training camp, this season it's Michael Penix Jr. (center). Training camp begins next week. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez

Check out all of the AJC’s Falcons preseason position previews

Atlanta Falcons beat writer D. Orlando Ledbetter breaks down the Atlanta Falcons before they report to training camp July 23 for their first practice July 24.

Can rookies Jalon Walker, James Pearce Jr. improve Falcons’ dormant pass rush?

The rookie linebackers who were selected in the first round of the NFL draft, will have a lot of pressure on them to help improve the Falcons’ dormant pass rush.

Special-teams preview: Falcons’ Koo faces competition after 2024 regression

After missing 5 field goals in both 2022 and 2023, the Falcons' Younghoe Koo missed 9 last season — though 2 were blocked, special teams coordinator Marquice Williams noted.

The Latest

Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (left) speaks with running back Bijan Robinson during minicamp on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, in Flowery Branch. It’s truly Penix’s team for the first time since Atlanta drafted him No. 8 overall last year. (Mike Stewart/AP)

Credit: AP

Pressure on Falcons’ Raheem Morris to have Michael Penix Jr. ready to play

Special-teams preview: Falcons’ Koo faces competition after 2024 regression

Check out all of the AJC’s Falcons preseason position previews

Featured

“Our members cannot be bought off,” General President Sean O’Brien said in a social media statement, calling UPS' offers “illegal and haphazard.” (Hyosub Shin/AJC 2023)

Credit: Hyosub Shin/AJC

UPS offers unprecedented buyouts for drivers

The Teamsters union, which represents about 340,000 UPS employees, is urging its full-time members to reject the offers.

Longtime south Atlanta flea market set for massive mixed-use makeover

The developer is planning one of the largest projects in Atlanta’s Southside, a more than $500 million project near Greenbriar Mall.

MARTA chief Collie Greenwood retiring early

MARTA CEO and General Manager Collie Greenwood is leaving “because of immigration and personal matters” and has elected early retirement.