GAMEDAY * WEEK 1 : CAPSULES : MINNESOTA at ATLANTA
* The line: Minnesota by 4.
* Key injuries: None.
* Key players: Vikings need similar numbers as last season from quarterback Randall Cunningham and receivers Randy Moss and Cris Carter to avoid taking a giant step back. Falcons need their defense to step up again. It set a club record last year for fewest yards rushing given up, 1,203.
HOW THEY MATCH UP*--*
Min Atl Points scored (Rank) 34.8 (1) 27.6 (3) Points allowed 18.5 (4) 18.1 (2) Passing O 270.5 (1) 211.6 (6) Rushing O 121.0 (6) 131.3 (3) Total O 391.5 (2) 342.9 (4) Passing D 215.8 (10) 220.7 (11) Rushing D 100.9 (5) 75.2 (1) Total D 316.6 (5) 295.9 (3)
*--*
* The pick: Minnesota. Atlanta had a big edge in last year’s NFC title game--Dennis Green’s teams gag in the playoffs. This is a regular-season game.
Picks by T.J. SIMERS; Research by HOUSTON MITCHELL
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