The Minnesota Vikings escaped with an improbable win on Monday night and now have a short week to prepare themselves for the visiting Atlanta Falcons in Week 2.
Atlanta fell just short in its season opener, and my early Falcons vs. Vikings predictions expect another closer game for ATL on Sunday Night Football.
I mull over the opening odds and give my leans and NFL picks for this September 14 tilt.
Falcons vs Vikings predictions
Here are our early thoughts on the spread and total for this week’s game. We will have a full game preview (with a best bet and SGP) later in the week.
Early SNF spread pick: Atlanta +4.5
The opening line hit the board at Minnesota Vikings -4.5, and many bookmakers are up to -5 with early play on Minnesota, fresh off the MNF victory.
The Vikings defense runs a similar aggressive approach as the Buccaneers, blitzing at a high rate and leaning on that chaos up front to protect a softer secondary in predominantly zone coverage.
The Atlanta Falcons' offensive line did a great job limiting the pressures on QB Michael Penix, who boasted one of the lowest pressure rates against and was sacked only once in Week 1.
Atlanta outgained Tampa Bay by almost 100 yards and recorded 23 first downs vs. just 16 from the Bucs. The Falcons were especially sound passing the football, ranking in the Top 10 in EPA per dropback and success rate.
The health of this Atlanta air attack is something to keep an eye on, but it looks like WR Drake London avoided serious injury, and speedster Darnell Mooney is expected to play after sitting out Week 1.
I’m leaning to the underdog, especially with this line climbing.
Early SNF total pick: Under 45.5
The Falcons may have let the Bucs breakaway for a go-ahead touchdown in the final minute, but all in all, this Atlanta defense looked improved over last season.
Tampa Bay managed only 16 first downs on 260 total yards of offense, with the Falcons doing a great job bottling up the running game.
The Vikings offense looked dead in the water for three quarters on Monday night, with first-time starter J.J. McCarthy looking very unsure under center. However, he found his way in the final frame and led Minnesota to 21 points and a wild comeback win at Chicago.
Before that surge in the final 15 minutes, Minnesota rated dead last in all the fancy advanced metrics before flying to the top of the board in the fourth quarter. That flip flop was helped along by two pass interference calls and a roughing the passer penalty.
Minnesota’s defense is still the beating heart of this team. That stop unit stymied the Bears for 3-for-12 success on third down and held Chicago to 5.0 yards per play while coming up big in the fourth quarter to help fuel the rally.
Falcons vs Vikings odds
- Falcons vs. Vikings spread: Vikings -4.5
- Falcons vs. Vikings moneyline: Falcons +176, Vikings -210
- Falcons vs. Vikings Over/Under: 45.5
How to watch Falcons vs Vikings
- Falcons vs. Vikings matchup
- Date: Sunday, September 14, 2025, 8:20 p.m. ET
- City: Minneapolis, MN
- Venue: U.S. Bank Stadium
- TV: NBC
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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