Vikings at Falcons: 3 key matchups
Vikings DT Kevin Williams vs. Falcons RG Joe Hawley: Williams was named to the Pro Bowl for the sixth time last season. Since entering the NFL in 2003, Williams leads the NFL's defensive tackles with 50.5 sacks. This season he has 27 tackles, four tackles for losses, one sack, 17 quarterback hurries and two passes defensed. Hawley, a second-year man starting his third game at guard, will have his hands full. He has allowed 2.5 sacks this season.
Vikings LB E.J. Henderson vs. Falcons RB Michael Turner: Last season, Henderson came back from a severe broken leg and started all 16 games. He went on to earn his first Pro Bowl berth. Henderson has led the team in tackles three times over the past six seasons. His collisions with Turner should be classic. Turner has seven rushing touchdowns over the past seven games. When he has 23 or more carries, his teams are 21-1. He has posted five 100-yard games this season and is on pace to rush for more than 1,400 yards.
Vikings KR Percy Harvin vs. Falcons coverage units: Harvin, a former Florida Gator, leads the league with four kickoff returns for touchdowns since 2009 and is tied for third in the NFL (behind Ted Ginn and Devin Hester) over the past three seasons with four combined kickoff/punt return touchdowns. After averaging 27.5 yards on kickoff returns last season, he has returned 10 kicks for 294 yards and has one touchdown, a 103-yarder against San Diego on Sept. 11. The Falcons' kickoff coverage team has held its opponents to an average drive start of the 21.1-yard line after kickoffs. Rookie Akeem Dent leads the Falcons with nine special-teams tackles. Safety Shann Schillinger is second with eight.
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.
