The Atlanta Falcons and the Minnesota Vikings will meet in Week 1 of the 2019 NFL season. Each team is coming off disappointing campaigns in which they failed to get past the regular season hump. Which between these teams will have a win to start the new football season? The Falcons are +360 to win the AFC South, while the Vikings are +210 to win the NFC North.
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Betting Preview for the Atlanta Falcons vs Minnesota Vikings NFL Regular Season Week 1 Game on September 8, 2019
Where: U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis
When: Sunday, September 8, 2019, 1:00 PM ET
Line: Atlanta Falcons (+3.5) vs. Minnesota Vikings (-3.5) – view all 2019 NFL lines
TV Broadcast: FOX
Betting on the Atlanta Falcons (0-0)
The Falcons are coming off a disappointing 2018 NFL season wherein they missed the playoffs and finished with a sub-.500 record of 7-9 SU. But there remains a reason to believe for a bounce-back campaign. For one, the Falcons still have former MVP Matt Ryan under center. Complementing Ryan is his top target in wide receiver Julio Jones — arguably the best in his position today in the league. Last season, Ryan passed for nearly 5,000 yards (4,924) and 35 touchdowns against nine interceptions, while Jones had 1,677 receiving yards and eight touchdown catches on 113 receptions. Mohamed Sanu and Calvin Ridley provide added threat for the Falcons’ passing offense that ranked fourth last season with 290.8 passing yards per contest. The run game took a hit with the departure of Tevin Coleman, but at least the Falcons remain in control of Devonta Freeman. The Falcons also shored up their offensive line by taking offensive linemen in the first round of this year’s NFL Draft.
The Falcons are 3-0 straight up (SU) and 2-1 against the spread (ATS) in their last three games.
Betting on the Minnesota Vikings (0-0)
It’s Year 2 of the Kirk Cousins Experience for the Vikings. Cousin’s first season in Minnesota did not go as well as he would have wanted, as the Vikings did not make it to the playoffs and settled for a mediocre 8-7-1 SU record. Nevertheless, there is hope for Minnesota in 2019. The Vikings added new figures to their think tank to help head coach Mike Zimmer, hiring Gary Kubiak and Rick Dennison. There were internal rifts among coaches last season in Minnesota concerning their offense, but with John DeFilipo gone and new coaches that aligns more with Kubiak’s philosophy, the Vikings may just see their offense fly higher. Cousins will work with the tantalizing duo of Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs, while running back Dalvin Cook will provide the spark from out of the backfield. Minnesota’s defense remains a strength after allowing just 21.3 points and 309.7 total yards per game in 2018.
The Vikings are 3-1 ATS in their last four home games.
Writer’s Prediction
The Vikings win, 29-26.
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