After a quarter into the season, the Falcons’ whole offseason “Toughness” campaign is in tatters.
They were pushed about TCF Bank Stadium by two NFL rookies in quarterback Teddy Bridgewater and running back Jerick McKinnon, the former Georgia Southern and Sprayberry High standout.
The Falcons figured to get well on the road against the Minnesota Vikings as Bridgewater was making his first NFL start. But Bridgewater turned in a stellar performance as the Vikings pulled away to defeat the Falcons 41-28 before 52,173 fans at TCF Bank Stadium on Sunday.
“It was very disturbing in a number of areas in what we were able to get accomplished out there on the football field today,” Falcons coach Mike Smith said.
The loss has the potential to be a stinging one for the Falcons, who lost three starting offensive linemen to injury and finished the game with tight end Levine Toilolo at right tackle.
Also, they may just have to junk the revamped defense which gave up more 558 yard. They have given up 472, 472 and 217 in previous games. They didn’t have a sack for the third time in four games.
“We had a hard time stopping them, whether if they ran the football or stopped the football,” Smith said. “We didn’t tackle well. You’re not going to win games in the NFL when you don’t get stops. It was the middle of the third quarter before we got a stop.”
Behind the impressive performance by Bridewater, the Vikings improved to 2-2. While, the Falcons, who were rested after trouncing Tampa Bay 56-14 on Sept. 18, dropped to 2-2.
“We didn’t make enough plays offensively to get the job done,” Ryan said. “I think everybody is disappointed.”
Bridgewater completed 19 of 30 passes for 317 yards before leaving the game with a left ankle injury. Christian Ponder came on in relief in mop up duty. McKinnon finished with 135 yards rushing on 18 carries.
The Falcons added defensive tackles Paul Soliai and defensive end Tyson Jackson in the free agency to help buttress the run defense.
“It starts with us up front, the defensive line,” Soliai said. “We need to do our jobs.”
The Falcons rushed for 241 yards on 44 carries and scored four touchdowns rushing.
“We have to play physical,” Soliai said. “We just have to show up. I’m a run stopper and I haven’t did that. I have to be more physical. It starts up front.”
Behind a composed Bridgewater, the Vikings held a 24-14 lead at halftime.
The rookie from Louisville, who was rarely under pressure, picked the Falcons defense apart. He connected on mis-matches underneath to exploit the Falcons. He found defensive end Kroy Biermann on wide receiver Greg Jennings, a glaring mismatch, early in the game and later found defensive end Stansly Maponga trying to chase wide receiver Jarius Wright on a crossing route.
The Falcons were a sieve against the run as McKinnon had a breakout day against the Falcons. He had 86 of the Vikings 154 yards rushing in the first half.
On the Vikings first possession of the third quarter, Blair Walsh added a 41-yard field goal to make it 27-14.
The Falcons came back with a seven-play, 80-yard touchdown drive. Ryan tossed a swing pass to Devin Hester, who was lined up in the backfield, and scored from 36 yards out. He broke a tackle attempt from Munnerlyn at the 32-yard line and then raced up the right sidelines for the score.
The defense forced their first punt of the game with under 2:54 left in the third quarter.
The Falcons came back to take their first lead of the game when speedy back Antone Smith broke loose on a 48-yard dash around the right end. Bryant’s kick gave the Falcons their first lead of the game, 28-27.
After an exchange of punts, Bridgewater led the Vikings back down for a score. The Vikings went for it on a fourth-and-one with more than 10 minutes left in the game. Asiata scored on his third touchdown of the game and the Vikings converted on a two-point conversion.
After the Falcons couldn’t move the ball behind their revamped offensive line, Walsh added a 55-yard field goal with 3:38 left.
“We are going to have to stop the run,” linebacker Paul Worrilow said.
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