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Falcons will catch an early season break against Vikings

Originally posted on SportsTalkATL | By Chase Irle | Last updated Aug 6, 2025 11:04 AM ET

There’s palpable excitement around the Falcons entering the season. Michael Penix Jr. and a revamped defense has everybody believing this could be the year Atlanta finally ends their postseason drought, which is creeping up on a decade.

But the Falcons won’t be catching any breaks to begin the season. They open the campaign with a pivotal matchup at home against the four-time defending NFC South champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers. They then travel to Minnesota for a Sunday Night Football contest against the Vikings before playing the Commanders, Bills, and 49ers in Weeks 4, 5, and 6.

The excitement could fade fast if the Falcons don’t come out of the gates swinging, but they will catch a pretty considerable break in their Week 2 contest with Minnesota. Jordan Addison, who is one of the best #2 wide receivers in the league, has been suspended for the first three games of the season after violating the league’s substance abuse policy.

Discipline: NFL suspended Vikings WR Jordan Addison for the first three games of the 2025 regular season for violating the league’s Substances of Abuse Policy.

Addison now will miss games at Chicago, vs. the Falcons and vs. the Bengals. pic.twitter.com/f4fFt3ECU6

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 5, 2025

Last season, the Falcons were walloped by the Vikings in Minnesota by a score of 42-21, with Jordan Addison playing a major factor by catching eight balls for 133 yards and three scores.

It’s one of the toughest places in the league to play, and Kevin O’Connell is among the most brilliant offensive minds, especially with weapons like Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and Aaron Jones at his disposal. However, there should be a little more hope for the Falcons this time around against a first year starting quarterback in J.J. McCarthy, who is without one of his top targets in Addison.

This article first appeared on SportsTalkATL and was syndicated with permission.

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