As the Atlanta Falcons prepare for their Week 2 matchup with the Minnesota Vikings, defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich looks to build off of a season opening performance in which the Falcons defense was only able to tally one sack and three quarterback hits despite being top 10 in total defense in Week 1 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
On Friday, as NFL injury reports began to be released, the Vikings announced key players on both sides of the ball who will not suit up for them on Sunday and for the Falcons defense, one player particularly may present Ulbrich and the Falcons defense to accomplish exactly what this wish to do in their game plan against the JJ McCarthy led Vikings offense.
“The most curious spot for me is can the Vikings hold up at left tackle and can they really hold up with the offensive line with all of the looks that Raheem [Morris] and Jeff Ulbrich look to be throwing at quarterbacks right now,” Alec Lewis of The Athletic said on Friday as he joined 92-9 The Game’s Carl Dukes and Mike Bell to preview Sunday night’s matchup.
“That is good news for Falcons,” Dukes said as he and Bell reacted to Lewis’ comments referring to Vikings offensive tackle, Christian Darrisaw, being ruled out of Sunday’s game and the impact his absence will have on Minnesota’s offensive line. “We’ve been dealing with our own offensive line issues at right tackle, but certainly left tackle a much bigger deal,” Dukes said.