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|
MIN |
ATL |
Vikings shut down Falcons 14-9 for 8th straight victory
ATLANTA (AP) The Vikings frustrated Matt Ryan, blanketed Julio Jones and kept the Atlanta Falcons out of the end zone.
Minnesota's eighth straight victory was all about defense.
Case Keenum threw a pair of touchdown passes, including the go-ahead score on the first play of the fourth quarter, but the guys on the other side of the line were largely responsible for the Vikings extending their winning streak to eight in a row Sunday with a grind-it-out, 14-9 victory over the Falcons.
''It was a hard one,'' coach Mike Zimmer said. ''We've got a good bunch of fighters on this football team, and I think maybe they really believe now.''
Keenum strengthened his hold on the starting job by going 25 of 30 for 227 yards. He hooked up with Jerick McKinnon on a 2-yard scoring play in the second quarter and went to Kyle Rudolph for a 6-yard touchdown on the first play of the fourth quarter , capping an 89-yard drive that consumed more than 8 minutes.
Minnesota (10-2) turned in a stellar defensive effort against a team that led the league in scoring a year ago and seemed to be finding its stride during a three-game winning streak, averaging nearly 32 points.
The Falcons (7-5) were held without a touchdown for the first time since Dec. 13, 2015, when they were blanked 38-0 by Carolina . Ryan's streak of 30 straight games with a TD pass also ended, going down as the eighth-longest in NFL history.
The league's reigning MVP, Ryan finished 16 of 29 for just 173 yards - his lowest output since he threw for 172 yards in a 33-10 loss to Seattle in 2013.
''They are a very good defense,'' Ryan said. ''We knew it was going to be tough sledding at times, but we've got to be more productive.''
Jones was held to a pair of catches for 24 yards, one week after he had 12 receptions for 253 yards in a victory over Tampa Bay.
"We know how great a player he is, how talented he is,'' Zimmer said. ''It's important that we try to take away some of the opponent's strengths each week.''
With the win and Detroit's loss to Baltimore, the Vikings took a four-game lead in the NFC North. They also gained on Philadelphia in the race for the NFC's top seed when the Eagles (10-2) lost at Seattle on Sunday night.
The loss could be a crucial one for Atlanta, which is two games behind New Orleans and one behind Carolina in the NFC South. Seattle's win put the Falcons out of position for a wild card.
After Matt Bryant's third field goal gave the Falcons a 9-7 lead early in the third quarter, the Vikings took control with a bruising drive that included three third-down conversions. Once they flipped ends of the field at the end of the third quarter, Keenum found Rudolph all alone in the back of the end zone for the go-ahead score. The tight end beat cornerback Blidi Wreh-Wilson, who took over with Desmond Trufant held out because of a concussion.
While Rudolph and his teammates celebrated, Wreh-Wilson looked around as though he was expecting help.
Atlanta's last gasp ended when Bryant missed a 45-yard field goal with 4:58 remaining after the Falcons passed on a chance to go for it on fourth-and-4.
Minnesota held the ball the rest of the game , essentially sealing the victory when Keenum connected with Adam Thielen on a third-down pass that went for 22 yards. The Vikings kneeled down deep in Falcons territory as the clock ran out.
THIRD DOWN DIFFERENCE
The Falcons were leading the league with a 48 percent conversion rate on third down.
They finished 1 of 10 against the Vikings.
Minnesota, on the other hand, converted 6 of 10 third-down chances.
''That really ended up being a big factor in the game,'' Zimmer said.
REMEMBRANCES OF `98
McKinnon, an Atlanta native, celebrated his touchdown by breaking into the "Dirty Bird," the end-zone dance made famous by Jamal Anderson during the Falcons' run to the Super Bowl in 1998.
''It was a tribute to my hometown,'' he said. ''I grew up watching the Falcons. I'll give myself an `A' for it.''
The Falcons also remembered that season by honoring Hall of Fame kicker Morten Andersen, whose 38-yard field goal in the NFC championship game gave Atlanta a stunning 30-27 overtime victory over heavily favored Minnesota.
INJURY REPORT
Vikings: TE David Morgan went out in the first quarter with a concussion. He was the top backup to Rudolph.
Falcons: G Andy Levitre sustained a triceps injury in the first quarter and didn't return. Ben Garland took his spot on the offensive line. In addition to Trufant, the defense was missing nickel back Brian Poole (back), who appeared to make progress during the week but was downgraded to questionable on Saturday.
UP NEXT
Vikings: Their third straight road game will be against another NFC South opponent, Carolina.
Falcons: Face a short turnaround before hosting a must-win Thursday night game against their bitter division rival, the Saints.
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Follow Paul Newberry on Twitter at https://twitter.com/pnewberry1963 . His work can be found at https://apnews.com/search/paul%20newberry
---
More AP NFL: http://pro32.ap.org and https://twitter.com/AP-NFL
Copyright 2017 by AP. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of AP is strictly prohibited.
C. Keenum
18 QB 227 PaYds, 2 PaTDs, RuYd |
21
FPTS
|
|
D. Freeman
34 RB 74 RuYds, 7 ReYds, REC |
7
FPTS
|
Team Stats | ||
---|---|---|
Time of Pos | - | - |
1st Downs | 0 | 0 |
Rushing | 0 | 0 |
Passing | 0 | 0 |
Penalty | 0 | 0 |
3rd Down Conv | 0-0 | 0-0 |
4th Down Conv | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Total Net Yards | 0 | 0 |
Total Plays | 0 | 0 |
Avg Gain | 0 | 0 |
Net Yards Rushing | 0 | 0 |
Rush Attempts | 0 | 0 |
Avg Rush Yards | 0 | 0 |
Net Yards Passing | 0 | 0 |
Comp. - Att. | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Yards Per Pass | 0 | 0 |
Penalties - Yards | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Touchdowns | ||
Rushing TDs | 0 | 0 |
Passing TDs | 0 | 0 |
Other | ||
Turnovers | 0 | 0 |
Fumbles - Lost | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Int. Thrown | 0 | 0 |
Punts - Avg | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Return Yards | ||
Punts - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Kickoffs - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Int. - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Red Zone Eff. | 0-0 -0% | 0-0 -0% |
Goal to Go Eff. | 0-0 -0% | 0-0 -0% |
Safeties | 0 | 0 |
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT | FPTS |
C. KeenumÂ
7 QB
21 FPTS
|
C. Keenum | 25/30 | 227 | 2 | 0 | 21 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
L. MurrayÂ
25 RB
9 FPTS
|
L. Murray | 16 | 76 | 0 | 30 | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. McKinnonÂ
21 RB
10 FPTS
|
J. McKinnon | 9 | 24 | 0 | 7 | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||
S. DiggsÂ
14 WR
3 FPTS
|
S. Diggs | 1 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. HamÂ
30 RB
1 FPTS
|
C. Ham | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. KeenumÂ
7 QB
21 FPTS
|
C. Keenum | 4 | -1 | 0 | 2 | 21 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
A. ThielenÂ
19 WR
5 FPTS
|
A. Thielen | 5 | 4 | 51 | 0 | 22 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
K. RudolphÂ
82 TE
9 FPTS
|
K. Rudolph | 5 | 4 | 36 | 1 | 16 | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
S. DiggsÂ
14 WR
3 FPTS
|
S. Diggs | 5 | 2 | 32 | 0 | 19 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. McKinnonÂ
21 RB
10 FPTS
|
J. McKinnon | 5 | 5 | 28 | 1 | 12 | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
L. MurrayÂ
25 RB
9 FPTS
|
L. Murray | 3 | 3 | 21 | 0 | 12 | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
M. FloydÂ
18 WR
2 FPTS
|
M. Floyd | 2 | 2 | 20 | 0 | 15 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. WrightÂ
17 WR
1 FPTS
|
J. Wright | 3 | 3 | 18 | 0 | 13 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
C. HamÂ
30 RB
1 FPTS
|
C. Ham | 1 | 1 | 12 | 0 | 12 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
L. TreadwellÂ
11 WR
0 FPTS
|
L. Treadwell | 1 | 1 | 9 | 0 | 9 | 0 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT | FF |
E. KendricksÂ
54 MLB
|
E. Kendricks | 8-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. BarrÂ
55 OLB
|
A. Barr | 5-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
X. RhodesÂ
29 CB
|
X. Rhodes | 5-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
H. SmithÂ
22 FS
|
H. Smith | 4-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. WaynesÂ
26 CB
|
T. Waynes | 2-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
S. StephenÂ
93 DT
|
S. Stephen | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. GedeonÂ
42 OLB
|
B. Gedeon | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
E. LamurÂ
59 LB
|
E. Lamur | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. SendejoÂ
34 SS
|
A. Sendejo | 1-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
L. JosephÂ
98 DT
|
L. Joseph | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
E. GriffenÂ
97 DE
|
E. Griffen | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. JohnsonÂ
92 DT
|
T. Johnson | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. RobisonÂ
96 DE
|
B. Robison | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. HunterÂ
99 DE
|
D. Hunter | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
K. ForbathÂ
2 K
2 FPTS
|
K. Forbath | 0/0 | 0 | 2/2 | 2 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
R. QuigleyÂ
4 P
|
R. Quigley | 5 | 45.0 | 1 | 51 |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
M. SherelsÂ
35 CB
0 FPTS
|
M. Sherels | 2 | 25.5 | 32 | 0 |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
M. Sherels 35 CB
0 FPTS
|
M. Sherels | 1 | 10.0 | 10 | 0 |
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT | FPTS |
M. RyanÂ
2 QB
6 FPTS
|
M. Ryan | 16/29 | 173 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
D. FreemanÂ
24 RB
7 FPTS
|
D. Freeman | 12 | 74 | 0 | 13 | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. ColemanÂ
26 RB
4 FPTS
|
T. Coleman | 8 | 22 | 0 | 6 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. GabrielÂ
18 WR
0 FPTS
|
T. Gabriel | 1 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. RyanÂ
2 QB
6 FPTS
|
M. Ryan | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 6 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
M. SanuÂ
12 WR
4 FPTS
|
M. Sanu | 5 | 3 | 43 | 0 | 17 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
T. ColemanÂ
26 RB
4 FPTS
|
T. Coleman | 6 | 3 | 27 | 0 | 15 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
L. ToiloloÂ
80 TE
2 FPTS
|
L. Toilolo | 2 | 2 | 25 | 0 | 16 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. JonesÂ
11 WR
2 FPTS
|
J. Jones | 6 | 2 | 24 | 0 | 13 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
A. HooperÂ
81 TE
2 FPTS
|
A. Hooper | 4 | 3 | 21 | 0 | 8 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
M. HallÂ
17 WR
2 FPTS
|
M. Hall | 2 | 1 | 20 | 0 | 20 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
D. FreemanÂ
24 RB
7 FPTS
|
D. Freeman | 2 | 1 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
T. GabrielÂ
18 WR
0 FPTS
|
T. Gabriel | 2 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT | FF |
R. AllenÂ
37 FS
|
R. Allen | 8-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. JonesÂ
45 MLB
|
D. Jones | 6-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. NealÂ
22 SS
|
K. Neal | 5-4 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
V. BeasleyÂ
44 OLB
|
V. Beasley | 5-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. PoeÂ
92 DT
|
D. Poe | 4-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
G. JarrettÂ
97 DT
|
G. Jarrett | 3-2 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. CampbellÂ
59 OLB
|
D. Campbell | 2-5 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
R. AlfordÂ
23 CB
|
R. Alford | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. McKinleyÂ
98 DE
|
T. McKinley | 1-1 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
L. ReynoldsÂ
53 MLB
|
L. Reynolds | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. KazeeÂ
27 FS
|
D. Kazee | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. Wreh-WilsonÂ
33 DB
|
B. Wreh-Wilson | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. ClaybornÂ
99 DE
|
A. Clayborn | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. ShelbyÂ
90 DE
|
D. Shelby | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. RubinÂ
79 DT
|
A. Rubin | 0-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. ReedÂ
50 DE
|
B. Reed | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
M. BryantÂ
3 K
9 FPTS
|
M. Bryant | 3/4 | 47 | 0/0 | 9 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
M. BosherÂ
5 P
|
M. Bosher | 4 | 49.3 | 2 | 56 |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
A. RobertsÂ
19 WR
0 FPTS
|
A. Roberts | 2 | 22.5 | 24 | 0 |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
A. Roberts 19 WR
0 FPTS
|
A. Roberts | 2 | 4.0 | 5 | 0 |