The Minnesota Vikings vs. Atlanta Falcons game was full of storylines, and it was a matchup between two playoff teams in the NFC. After Sunday, we can say that not only are these teams going in two different directions, but they also let Kirk Cousins know what he is missing out on after leaving Minnesota.
The game was arguably the Vikings' most complete performance of the season, and it came against a familiar face in Kirk Cousins.
The game is as one-sided as it made the takeaways easy to have, it is hardest to pick which part of the game we want to focus on. For now, let's start by highlighting the Vikings' receiving duo for Sam Darnold and J.J. McCarthy.
The Vikings have the best receiving duo in the NFL
Dec 8, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison (3) celebrates his touchdown with wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) against the Atlanta Falcons during the first quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
After combining for a whopping 15 catches, 265 receiving yards, and five touchdowns, the duo of Jordan Addison and Justin Jefferson are head and shoulders above the rest. Jefferson's old teammates, Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, make for good competition, but Jefferson and Addison are the best wide receiver duo in the NFL right now.
Sam Darnold is going to get PAID
Dec 8, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold (14) celebrates his touchdown pass to wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) against the Atlanta Falcons during the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
The rookie quarterback class in the 2025 NFL Draft is shaping up to be less than ideal, with just one or two viable day-one starters in the bunch. If the Vikings move on from Darnold, he is likely to get a contract similar to Baker Mayfield or Geno Smith, where he gets a nice round nine-digit number. The Vikings have J.J. McCarthy waiting in the wings, so they are happy to help him earn that massive contract with more production and wins in the meantime.
Kirk Cousins had his moments but the defense stepped up
Dec 8, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Fans welcome back Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (not pictured) before the game against the Atlanta Falcons at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
Kirk Cousins and the Falcons offense were very efficient today, despite what the score will tell you. What made a difference was the Vikings' defense's ability to put pressure on Cousins, and the secondary forced turnovers as a result. Kirk Cousins, as were the Falcons, were ready for this game, but the Vikings are just better right now.
The Vikings overcame first half miscues
Dec 8, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; The line of scrimmage between the Minnesota Vikings and the Atlanta Falcons during the first quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
The first half saw the Falcons scoring 21 points and getting pressure on Sam Darnold. They gave up some sacks, and even Brian O'Neill didn't quite look like himself. They overcame those issues and made halftime adjustments, like all good teams do, and dominated the second half.
Byron Murphy Jr. needs to be extended
Dec 1, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings cornerback Shaquill Griffin (1) and cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. (7) and cornerback Fabian Moreau (23) react after Griffin made an interception late during the fourth quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
The Vikings' secondary has a lot of needs in 2025, and without Byron Murphy Jr., they could be in even worse shape. Bringing back Murphy Jr. to be the face of the secondary while adding some other free agents and rookies to the mix sounds like a perfect situation for the Vikings defense.