J.J. McCarthy, Minnesota Vikings
Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images
After a come-from-behind victory in Week 1 against the Chicago Bears, the Minnesota Vikings are at home for the first time this season. Kevin O’Connell’s team will run out to the sound of the Gjallarhorn and J.J. McCarthy will get his first regular season U.S. Bank Stadium experience.
The storylines for this contest are aplenty. Adam Thielen will run out of the tunnel as a member of the home team once again. Kirk Cousins will exit the tunnel as a clipboard holding member of the away team. McCarthy and Michael Penix Jr. get to redo their National Championship showdown of a couple years ago.
Under the primetime lights of Sunday Night Football, this one should be plenty of fun. Minnesota enters as -3.5 point favorites at home.
Before the game kicks off, it’s worth taking a look at who locally thinks the Vikings emerge victorious, and how the game will shake out. Of course those covering the team on a daily basis have the greatest insight as to where things should stand.
To add context, we’ve also included picks and predictions from popular national media outlets, who do not follow the Vikings as closely as those on the local beat. That will allow you to compare and contrast how local media views the MN Vikings vs those in the national space.
The Falcons‘ offensive weapons, especially with Robinson’s elusiveness and Drake London’s physicality, will test a Vikings defense that is without two starters because of injury and had three defensive backs on the injury report this week. It will require the Vikings to get creative with their secondary, and they’ll need solid performances from players like cornerback Dwight McGlothern. But they’ll get a boost from a U.S. Bank Stadium crowd that should be electric on Sunday night, and their offense will have some favorable matchups against Atlanta’s defense. They’ll win their home opener in a close one. – Star Tribune
It took J.J. McCarthy roughly 45 minutes of game time to find his rhythm in his NFL debut. The hostile road environment at Soldier Field contributed to that. He should be more comfortable from the onset at U.S. Bank Stadium. – Pioneer Press
Related: Three Keys for Minnesota Vikings Against Atlanta on Sunday Night
Rising rookies take the stage, with the Vikings’ J.J. McCarthy bolstered by a come-back Monday night win and the birth of his first child. Atlanta’s Michael Penix Jr., meanwhile, will be getting advice about winning a nationally televised night game from Kirk Cousins. – Pioneer Press
Quarterbacks drafted in 2024, J.J. McCarthy (No. 10 overall) of the Vikings and Michael Penix Jr. (No. 8) by the Falcons, will be on the big stage for comparison. Ex-Viking Kirk Cousins and his guaranteed $27.5 million will get to compare, too, from the Atlanta sideline. – Pioneer Press
Another week, another battle of second-year quarterbacks. But Michael Penix Jr. is significantly better than Caleb Williams. Minnesota’s pass rush needs to get home to get Atlanta’s signal caller out of rhythm. – Pioneer Press
ESPN – 10 of 11 experts pick VikingsSonia Bell – Vikings
Mike Clay – Vikings
Jeremy Fowler – Vikings
Dan Graziano – Vikings
Kalyn Kahler – Vikings
Matt Bowen – Vikings
Pamela Maldonado – Vikings
Eric Moody – Vikings
Seth Walder – Vikings
Lindsey Thiry – Falcons
Seth Wickersham – Vikings
Minnesota’s Myles Price will return a kick or punt for a touchdown. Price had juice in his NFL debut Monday night, particularly as a punt returner, where he recorded 22 yards over expectation — second most in Week 1. — Seth Walder (ESPN)
Related: Falcons Bringing Scorned Vikings Kicker to Minnesota
The Athletic – 6 of 8 experts pick VikingsJoe Buscaglia – Vikings
Chad Graff – Vikings
Larry Holder – Vikings
Josh Kendall – Vikings
Nick Kosmider – Falcons
Austin Mock – Vikings
Zack Rosenblatt – Vikings
Josiah Turner – Falcons
J.J. McCarthy just finished cramming one of the best quarterback debuts ever into just 15 minutes. Who doesn’t want to watch the follow-up act? – The Athletic
MMQB (Sports Illustrated) – 5 of 6 experts pick VikingsConor Orr – Vikings
Gilberto Manzano – Falcons
Matt Verderame – Vikings
John Pluym – Vikings
Mitch Goldich – Vikings
Claire Brennan – Vikings
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