{"id":96348,"date":"2020-10-16T12:26:54","date_gmt":"2020-10-16T16:26:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/?p=96348"},"modified":"2020-10-16T12:26:54","modified_gmt":"2020-10-16T16:26:54","slug":"minnesota-vikings-atlanta-falcons","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2020\/10\/16\/minnesota-vikings-atlanta-falcons\/","title":{"rendered":"Minnesota Vikings Week 6 Game Is Crucial"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>In Matthew 12, Jesus explains that a kingdom divided against itself cannot stand. Christ\u2019s words ought to be understood within a spiritual context, and yet they illuminate an important component of NFL football: a kingdom (or, in this case, a football team) will fall if there is persistent internal division. In other words, teams need to be united in their efforts. The league is far too competitive for a team to overcome hostility and adversity from within. If they fail to beat the 0-5 <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/nfl-teams\/falcons\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">Atlanta Falcons<\/a> in Week 6, the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/nfl-teams\/vikings\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">Minnesota Vikings<\/a> may be on the verge of an internal collapse.<\/p>\n<h2>Minnesota Vikings Week 6 Game Is Crucial<\/h2>\n<h3>Harrison Smith and the Minnesota Defense<\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/S\/SmitHa00.htm\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Harrison Smith<\/strong><\/a>, a nine-year veteran and first-time team captain, is Minnesota\u2019s best defensive player. Many fans have probably already seen the video clip of him at the end of Week 5\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2020\/10\/12\/mike-zimmer-vikings-resilience\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">heartbreaking loss<\/a> to the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/nfl-teams\/seahawks\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">Seattle Seahawks<\/a>. Cameras captured Smith clearly and concisely articulating his anger with <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/D\/DantCa00.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Cameron Dantzler<\/a><\/strong>\u2019s inability to cover <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/M\/MetcDK00.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">D.K. Metcalf<\/a><\/strong> on the game-winning touchdown.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">I\u2019m a bad lip reader. He\u2019s saying, \u201cCover your pumpkin pie,\u201d right? Seems like a sensible cooking tip for the holiday season. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/nCE0buMakW\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/nCE0buMakW<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Ben Goessling (@BenGoessling) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/BenGoessling\/status\/1315641523531255815?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">October 12, 2020<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>There is no issue with an All-Pro safety being exasperated by his team\u2019s lack of success. In fact, it would be concerning if Smith wasn\u2019t upset. The issue rests in whether Smith\u2019s frustration will bleed into the locker room. The Vikings aren\u2019t nearly talented enough to survive their kingdom being divided against itself.<\/p>\n<p>During the off-season, reporters asked Smith about the apparent decline of Minnesota\u2019s defense. Smith responded in his typically understated manner, suggesting that he wasn\u2019t aware that the Vikings were supposed to be bad. Five weeks into the season, the Vikings defense isn\u2019t entirely bad, but it\u2019s far from good. Smith wasn\u2019t expecting this, and it\u2019s at least possible that another loss (especially since they\u2019re heading into the bye) could lead to frustration getting the best of Minnesota\u2019s star safety. If it does, Minnesota will have a big problem. The easiest solution rests in getting a win against Atlanta, one of the worst teams in football.<\/p>\n<h3>History Against the Falcons<\/h3>\n<p>A quick look at the defensive stats help explain Smith\u2019s concerns. According to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/stats\/team\/_\/view\/defense\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">ESPN<\/a>, the Vikings are allowing just over 30 points per game. Teams have averaged 132.6 rushing yards and 271.4 passing yards per game.<\/p>\n<p>As a result, <strong>Mike Zimmer<\/strong> needs to continue improving a unit that has been plagued by a myriad of issues. The changes in defensive personnel, the strange off-season due to COVID-19, the injuries in the secondary, <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/B\/BarrAn00.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Anthony Barr<\/a><\/strong>\u2019s absence, and the lack of <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/H\/HuntDa01.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Danielle Hunter<\/a><\/strong> and <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/P\/PierMi00.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Michael Pierce<\/a><\/strong> on the defensive line has made life understandably difficult for Minnesota. While these factors help explain the defensive issues, Zimmer still needs to find a solution. This is where the Falcons factor into the equation.<\/p>\n<p>After starting 0-5, the Falcons <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2020\/10\/13\/nfl-week-5-takeaways\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">decided to fire<\/a> head coach <strong>Dan Quinn<\/strong> and general manager <strong>Thomas Dimitroff<\/strong>. It\u2019s unclear what kind of impact these moves will have on Atlanta\u2019s Sunday performance. The Falcons have talent, especially on offense, but they\u2019re far from a good team. The surest way that Zimmer can ensure Smith\u2019s frustrations don\u2019t spiral out of control rests in getting a decisive win against Atlanta.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/R\/RyanMa00.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Matt Ryan<\/a><\/strong> can\u2019t be overlooked, and <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/R\/RidlCa00.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Calvin Ridley<\/a><\/strong> has emerged as one of the best receivers in the NFL. Of course, <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/J\/JoneJu02.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Julio Jones<\/a><\/strong> is an absolute monster, but it seems unlikely that he\u2019ll be available for Sunday. The Vikings, then, should devote their attention to limiting Ridley. If they\u2019re successful, the Falcons will likely need to rely primarily on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/G\/GurlTo01.htm\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Todd<\/strong> <strong>Gurley<\/strong><\/a> and <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/H\/HursHa00.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Hayden Hurst<\/a><\/strong> to beat Minnesota. Zimmer will gladly take this option.<\/p>\n<p>Last season, the Vikings began their year with a dominating performance against the Falcons. The 28-12 final score doesn\u2019t reflect how thoroughly Minnesota controlled the game. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/C\/CousKi00.htm\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Kirk<\/strong> <strong>Cousins<\/strong><\/a> may have only thrown the ball ten times for less than 100 yards, but <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/C\/CookDa01.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Dalvin Cook<\/a><\/strong> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/M\/MattAl01.htm\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Alexander<\/strong> <strong>Mattison<\/strong><\/a> controlled the game on the ground while Zimmer\u2019s defense stifled the Atlanta offense. The Vikings are surely hoping for a repeat performance.<\/p>\n<h3>Upcoming Bye<\/h3>\n<p>By no means is a 2-4 start what the Vikings were hoping for. At this point, though, it may help to stave off disastrous internal division. The Vikings would head into their bye with some momentum, and perhaps the belief that playing well immediately after their break can result in an unlikely playoff spot. In the three weeks after the bye, Minnesota plays the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/nfl-teams\/packers\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">Green Bay Packers<\/a>, then the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/nfl-teams\/lions\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">Detroit Lions<\/a>, and then the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/nfl-teams\/bears\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">Chicago Bears<\/a> in prime time.<\/p>\n<p>Facing three divisional opponents in three straight weeks presents both a big challenge and a big opportunity. Of course, these three games are unlikely to matter if the Minnesota Vikings can\u2019t handle the hapless Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. And a failure to defeat Atlanta may ensure that Smith\u2019s Week 5 frustration merely foreshadowed the Vikings kingdom becoming divided within.<\/p>\n<p>Main Photo<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"ZMmGQZi3QM15xi_XE2gDfw\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/1166825321\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'ZMmGQZi3QM15xi_XE2gDfw',sig:'5tAOAT4hcdNrw2YXSvnSGNna8__aF9ag-Nfa22PKp7c=',w:'594px',h:'435px',items:'1166825321',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If they fail to beat the 0-5 Atlanta Falcons in Week 6, the Minnesota Vikings may be on the verge of an internal collapse.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3613,"featured_media":96362,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[54,26],"tags":[115,6268,217,61,1073,802,40],"class_list":["post-96348","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-editorials","category-vikings","tag-atlanta-falcons","tag-cameron-dantzler","tag-dan-quinn","tag-football","tag-harrison-smith","tag-mike-zimmer","tag-nfl"],"modified_by":"Justin Patrick, Site Manager","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/96348","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3613"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=96348"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/96348\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/96362"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=96348"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=96348"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=96348"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}