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September 13, 2025, 4:46 pm
Last Updated on September 13, 2025 4:46 pm by Jon Mosales | Published: September 13, 2025
SNF – ATLANTA FALCONS @ Minnesota Vikings
Point spread: ATL +3.5 | MIN -3.5
Moneyline: ATL +145 | MIN -170
Total: Over 44.5 | Under 44.5
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Overview:
Atlanta is coming off a Week 1 loss to the Buccaneers in heartbreaking fashion, as Tampa Bay’s rookie wideout Emeka Egbuka caught a game-winning TD in his NFL debut. Still, Atlanta looked like a competent offense with Michael Penix Jr. leading the way, and we saw some fireworks from Bijan Robinson right away in the first quarter. On the defensive side of the ball, the Falcons did a great job at shutting down Tampa’s run game, limiting sensational second-year RB Bucky Irving to just 45 yards on 18 touches. WR Drake London came away a little banged up, but it sounds like he should be active for this week’s matchup with Minnesota. While they are 0-1 on the season, I’d expect Atlanta to soon be a favorite to finish atop the NFC South. Minnesota, meanwhile, will come into SNF on a short week after rookie QB JJ McCarthy helped lead the team to a comeback win on MNF against the Bears. The Bears were in command for most of the game, especially after McCarthy coughed up a pick-six to extend their lead. Still, the offense rallied behind McCarthy and he scored three fourth quarter touchdowns. The Vikings had a pretty split backfield that found success on both ends in Week 1, but it will be interesting to see how it stacks up week after week. It’ll be hard to live up to Week 1’s SNF battle for the ages, but this game should be a great matchup that could lead to a high-scoring affair.
Quarterbacks:
Michael Penix Jr. looked pretty good in his 2025 debut against the Buccaneers last week, and he wound up the QB12 on the week after throwing for 298 yards and a touchdown and adding 21 rushing yards and another score on the ground. He showed a great connection with all his receivers, but his TD pass came on a breakaway catch-and-run by Bijan Robinson. The offensive line is indeed shakier than it was a season ago, but luckily, Penix and the offense operated well with one of the fastest release rates in the NFL in Week 1. Penix had the seventh-shortest Time to Throw (TTT) among NFL QBs last week, with 2.56 seconds. Meanwhile, Caleb Williams had the fourth-longest TTT with 3.04 seconds, and the Vikings sacked him twice on the night, and he finished as the fantasy QB11. Penix can be started in Week 2 with some optimism, especially with Darnell Mooney returning to the lineup. The Vikings saw growth in real time from JJ McCarthy, who tossed three fourth quarter touchdowns. Minnesota kept it very tame for him in the first half, but he aired it out more and more, and helped turn things around before it got too late for the Vikings. You’d like to see McCarthy put together four quarters of passing volume before you can trust him in your lineup, but this is likely a great matchup on deck, so he should be a fine start for super flex leagues.
Running Backs:
The Falcons have one of the greatest fantasy RB prospects in modern football in Bijan Robinson, and he showed flashes of that against Tampa Bay, showing up in the receiving game when the Falcons’ OL couldn’t move Vita Vea and the rest of the Bucs’ defensive front. Six for 100 and a touchdown through the air made a lot of fantasy managers overlook the 12 for 24 on the ground, and he wound up the RB3 on the week. Tyler Allgeier also handled 10 carries for 24 yards, but he’s nothing more than a high-upside handcuff. Still, Robinson should be heavily involved in the passing game all season, including Week 2 against the traditionally blitz-heavy Brian Flores and co. The matchup is tough enough to cause some pessimism going into this matchup, but you should always feel good about starting Robinson in your lineups on a weekly basis. As for the Vikings, veteran Aaron Jones led the team out the gate, but quickly we saw Jordan Mason get involved in the action. Mason carried the ball 15 times for 68 yards and added one reception for seven yards to finish as the RB28 on the week, while Jones handled just 8 carries for 23 yards, but caught 3 passes for 44 yards and a touchdown to get up to the RB13 overall. Both backs could be started in this matchup against Atlanta, but project more as flex plays for the time being. Whoever gets the touchdowns will be the back you needed each week.
Wide Receivers:
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