Falcons Dominate Vikings 22-6 With Bijan Robinson and Defense/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ morning Edition/ The Atlanta Falcons powered past the Minnesota Vikings 22-6 with Bijan Robinson rushing for 143 yards and a relentless defense that sacked J.J. McCarthy six times. Rookie defenders played starring roles, while kicker Parker Romo hit five field goals. Minnesota’s offense collapsed after halftime despite Justin Jefferson’s milestone catch.
Falcons Rout Vikings: Quick Looks
- Final Score: Falcons 22, Vikings 6.
- Robinson’s Night: 22 carries, 143 yards, anchoring Atlanta’s offense.
- Allgeier’s Finish: 13 carries, 67 yards, late TD to seal win.
- Penix Efficient: 13/21, 135 yards, no turnovers in victory.
- Vikings Struggle: McCarthy threw 2 interceptions, lost a fumble.
- Sack Attack: Falcons’ defense recorded 6 sacks, 5 in first half.
- Rookies Shine: Bowman and Watts picked off McCarthy; Walker and Pearce added sacks.
- Kicker’s Debut: Parker Romo drilled 5-for-5 FGs in Falcons debut.
- Jefferson’s Milestone: 500th career catch, tying Larry Fitzgerald’s age record.
- Injuries Mount: Vikings lost multiple starters to concussions and hamstring injuries.
Deep Look: Falcons Overpower Vikings 22-6 With Robinson’s Running and Rookie-Led Defense
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Atlanta Falcons found their rhythm in Week 2, riding Bijan Robinson’s breakout performance and a suffocating rookie-fueled defense to a 22-6 victory over the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday night.
Robinson, held to just 24 rushing yards in Atlanta’s opener, bounced back with 143 yards on 22 carries, setting the tone from the first quarter onward. His steady production helped keep rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr. calm and the Minnesota crowd relatively quiet.
“For us to be balling like that throughout the whole game, it was pretty cool to see,” Robinson said after the win.
Romo Perfect in Falcons Debut
Special teams also played a pivotal role. Newly signed kicker Parker Romo, a Georgia native who had a short stint with Minnesota last year, went 5-for-5 on field goals in his Falcons debut.
“It’s crazy that I know more of their guys than I do our guys, but that’s my homework,” Romo said of his whirlwind week after signing with Atlanta just days earlier.
Rookie Defense Stifles McCarthy
The Falcons’ defensive overhaul paid immediate dividends. First-round rookies Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. combined for early sacks, part of a relentless pass rush that dropped Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy six times.
McCarthy, playing in front of an energized home crowd after leading Michigan to a college championship two seasons ago, faltered under pressure. He finished with two interceptions and one lost fumble, stalling nearly every Vikings drive.
Rookie defensive backs made their mark as well: Billy Bowman Jr. secured a diving interception in the second quarter, while Xavier Watts sealed the game with a pick on Minnesota’s final possession.
“We’re hungry,” Watts said. “We’re just doing our thing.”
Vikings Collapse After Halftime
Despite McCarthy connecting with Justin Jefferson on a 50-yard strike late in the first half to set up a field goal, cutting Atlanta’s lead to 9-6, Minnesota’s offense unraveled after the break.
Injuries compounded the problem. Center Ryan Kelly and left tackle Justin Skule exited with concussions, while running back Aaron Jones left with a hamstring injury. With star tackle Christian Darrisaw still sidelined, the Vikings’ offensive line crumbled under Atlanta’s relentless pass rush.
“We’ve got to find a way to stay on the field longer,” coach Kevin O’Connell admitted. “It’s an important part of how we need to play as a team, especially against a team like that.”
Penix Plays Mistake-Free Football
On the other side, rookie QB Michael Penix Jr. was steady, completing 13 of 21 passes for 135 yards without a turnover. Coach Raheem Morris praised his composure:
“He’s selfless. He’ll do whatever it takes to win, which is exactly what he did tonight,” Morris said.
Running back Tyler Allgeier provided the exclamation point with a 67-yard, 13-carry effort, capped by a late touchdown that put the game out of reach.
Jefferson’s Milestone Amid Defeat
One bright spot for Minnesota came early, when Justin Jefferson hauled in a 9-yard reception that made him, at age 26 years and 90 days, the youngest player to reach 500 career catches, tying Hall of Famer Larry Fitzgerald Jr.
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