Falcons Young Defense Shines and More Week 2 Takeaways After Win Over Vikings

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – Despite not scoring an offensive touchdown until their final offensive possession, the Atlanta Falcons were able to avoid a Week 2 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. 

This one was important. Teams that start 0-2 historically have an 11% chance of making the playoffs, but since expanding the season field and adding a 17th game in 2020, that number is actually smaller. 42 teams have started with a pair of losses, and just two have made the playoffs (4.7%). 

The Falcon defense suffocated the Viking offense in the 22-6 win. They held the home team out of the end zone and to just 198 total yards while forcing three turnovers on J.J. McCarthy. 

See below for the biggest takeaways from the first Falcons win of the 2025 season.

FALCONS RUSHING ATTACK FINDS ITS LEGS

The Falcons struggled mightily to run the football in Week 1 against Tampa Bay, and it was clear that they were emphasizing a return to that identity in Week 2. 

On the opening drive of the game alone, Bijan Robinson was nearly able to match the total rushing output from the running backs last week (48 yards). He carried the ball four times, but picked up 47 yards. They cooled off a bit as the game went on, but the Falcons combined to rush for 97 yards by the end of the half. 

Robinson was able to eclipse the 100-yard mark for the 20th time in his career, which is the most in the NFL since he joined the league in 2023. He finished with 143 yards, and the Falcons had 218 total yards on the ground as a team.  

Their success on the ground was all the more important with how quarterback Michael Penix Jr was unable to really get going. He finished the night 12-of-21 for just 143 yards, which is the lowest offensive output of his young career. 

NEW KICKER PARKER ROMO WINS THE DAY FOR THE FALCONS

The kicking competition at Flowery Branch ended with Younghoe Koo on the inactive list and Parker Romo as the starter. 

Romo’s career in Atlanta started quickly, and the Falcons called on him to convert attempts on each of their first two possessions. Romo kicked off the rust and connected on his first try from 38 yards, but he nearly pushed it left. His second try from 29 yards left no doubt. 

His biggest test of the game came in the fourth quarter, when the Falcons called on him to convert a 54-yard field goal and extend their lead to nine with 11:16 remaining. He converted it easily and finished his day making all five of his attempts. 

He also converted his lone point after attempt and accounted for 16 of the Falcons’ 22 total points. 

A.J. TERELL JR. INJURES HAMSTRING

The Atlanta Falcons lost cornerback A.J. Terrell Jr to a hamstring injury at the end of the first half against the Vikings.  

Terrell is the Falcons’ top cover corner, and the Vikings went right after the short-handed secondary on their next play. Justin Jefferson picked up a 50-yard reception, allowing Minnesota to effectively get three free points going into halftime. 

Any time a team loses a Pro Bowl-caliber player, it is going to hurt, but the Falcons have depth concerns in their secondary. The full extent of his injury is still unknown, but losing Terrell for an extended period of time would be a major worry for this team moving forward. 

Dee Alford stepped in for the injured Terrell on Sunday and helped hold the Vikings' passing attack to just 158 yards, but this is something to monitor. 

GAME OF FIRSTS FOR YOUNG FALCONS DEFENDERS

Sunday was a tremendous day of firsts for several young Falcons. Rookies James Pearce Jr and Jalon Walker were able to record their first career sacks, interior defenders Ruke Orhorohoro and Brandon Dorlus got their first sacks, and free agent acquisition Leonard Floyd got his first as a Falcon. 

Later in the half, rookie cornerback Billy Bowman Jr was able to record his first career interception on this athletic play.