MINNEAPOLIS -- A few thoughts on the Atlanta Falcons' 41-28 accident to the Minnesota Vikings Sunday at TCF Bank Stadium:
What it means: The Falcons, now 2-2, accept now absent four beeline on the alley dating aback to aftermost season, assuming they aloof can't get it done on the road. The best affair activity for the Falcons is they're still 2-0 in the NFC South over wins adjoin New Orleans and Tampa Bay, but their abutting two analysis amateur are on the alley adjoin the Buccaneers (Nov. 9) and the Panthers (Nov. 16).
Stock Watch: The banal of the aegis plummeted to maybe an best low. Playing adjoin a amateur quarterback in Teddy Bridgewater and adverse a Vikings aggregation after brilliant active aback Adrian Peterson, the Falcons accustomed 351 yards in the aboriginal bisected and accomplished by acquiescent 558 absolute yards. The run aegis was affecting as ambiguous Vikings active aback Matt Asiata had three hasty touchdowns. And Bridgewater looked like a analysis vet, commutual 19 of 30 passes for 317 yards after an interception afore departure with an abate injury.
Injury update: Injuries to starting centermost Joe Hawley (knee), starting larboard bouncer Justin Blalock (back), and starting appropriate accouterment Lamar Holmes (foot) larboard the Falcons acutely shorthanded forth the abhorrent band to end the game. In fact, 6-foot-8-inch, 265-pound bound end Levine Toilolo had to band up at appropriate accouterment at the end of the bold with no added able bodies to comedy the position. Outside of the losses forth the abhorrent line, the Falcons additionally absent starting able assurance William Moore with a accept injury. It's cryptic how Moore got injured, but his administration on aegis is key, decidedly with Sean Weatherspoon (Achilles) already out for the season. Kemal Ishmael stepped in for Moore, and Ishmael banged his appropriate knee backward but rema ined in the game.
Game ball: Hard not to accede the efforts of active aback Antone Smith, who denticulate on a 48-yard touchdown run in the third quarter. It was Smith's third touchdown on the analysis on aloof 13 touchdowns. He showed abundant access already again, although he's been aggressive a hamstring abrasion back preseason. To put it simply, the Falcons accept to acquisition a way to get Smith added complex instead of aloof talking about how he deserves added touches.