The Worksheet, a comprehensive fantasy football preview by Rich Hribar, breaks down everything you need to know about the Week 9 matchup between the Falcons and Vikings.
Find a breakdown of every Week 9 NFL game in our Worksheet Hub.
| Minnesota | Rank | @ | Atlanta | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.5 | Spread | -4.5 | ||
| 16.5 | Implied Total | 21.0 | ||
| 21.9 | 14 | Points/Gm | 17.3 | 28 |
| 20.3 | 15 | Points All./Gm | 20.1 | 14 |
| 62.3 | 20 | Plays/Gm | 66.4 | 7 |
| 64.9 | 22 | Opp. Plays/Gm | 60.9 | 9 |
| 5.7 | 5 | Off. Yards/Play | 5.1 | 18 |
| 5 | 10 | Def. Yards/Play | 4.9 | 7 |
| 33.13% | 31 | Rush% | 45.57% | 8 |
| 66.87% | 2 | Pass% | 54.43% | 25 |
| 42.97% | 16 | Opp. Rush % | 44.56% | 23 |
| 57.03% | 17 | Opp. Pass % | 55.44% | 10 |
- Atlanta is the only team that has not led at the half in any game this season.
- The Falcons are averaging a league-low 6.8 yards per touchdown play this season.
- Atlanta is one of just two remaining teams without a touchdown from outside of the red zone this season and has scored a league-low seven touchdowns from outside of the red zone under Arthur Smith.
- The Falcons are allowing an average length of touchdown of 23.8 yards, the highest rate in the league.
- 94.7% (18-of-19) of the Minnesota touchdowns have come via passing, the highest rate in the league.
- 93.8% (15-of-16) of the touchdowns allowed by Atlanta have come via passing, the highest rate in the league.
- Minnesota is 30th in the NFL in explosive rushing yardage per game (24.6), ahead of the Patriots and Raiders.
- Minnesota has allowed 27.9 explosive rushing yards per game on defense, third in the league.
Trust = spike production for that player
Quarterback
Taylor Heinicke: Heinicke will start on Sunday after Desmond Ridder was forced from last week's game via concussion protocols and inept play.
Heinicke was only 12-of-21 (57.1%) but averaged 8.3 yards per pass attempt with a touchdown after Ridder averaged 5.9 Y/A before leaving the game.
Heinicke has started 24 games over the past two seasons with Washington, averaging 13.6 fantasy points per game. He does have eight QB1 scoring weeks over that span, showing some upside.
Heinicke will only be an option for 2QB formats.
Minnesota is not a matchup to hide from, but they are not allowing splash plays through the air.
They are allowing a 72.1% completion rate (31st), but 6.9 yards per attempt (16th) and 9.7 yards per completion (fifth).
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