Week 2 SNF Recap

Written by: William Petersen •

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Week 2 of Sunday Night Football featured two starting quarterbacks that faced off in the 2024 National Championship where JJ McCarthy and the Michigan Wolverines dominated Michal Penix Jr. and the Washington Huskies. The outcome of tonight’s primetime game was the exact opposite of the 2024 National Championship, as Michael Penix Jr. and the Atlanta Falcons dominated McCarthy and the Minnesota Vikings on the road in Minneapolis. The Falcons scored the only touchdown of the game thanks to second string running back Tyler Allgeier which would prove to be the nail in the coffin for the Vikings who moved to 1-1 on the season after losing 22-6 at home. Four field goals in the first half would result in a 9-6 halftime lead in favor of Atlanta, which would continue until Allgeier found the endzone with only 3:22 remaining in the game.

While this game was underwhelming offensively for Michael Penix Jr, who finished 13/21 for 135 yards, Bijan Robinson had a dominant night on the ground, accounting for 168 total yards of offense while the Vikings only accounted for 198 total yards of offense as a team. The Falcons passing game couldn’t seem to find a rhythm tonight but it did not matter as the cornerstone of their offense produced on the ground to scrounge out a 16-point win in a primetime game on the road. Falcons wide receiver Drake London only hauled in three receptions for 49 yards against a solid Vikings secondary but also lost a fumble that continued to emphasize Atlanta’s passing game struggles. While they struggled through the air, Atlanta will be grateful to have a generational running back in Robinson to help shoulder the offensive load when it becomes too much for Penix.

JJ McCarthy seemed to be still riding off of the vibes from their Monday Night Football win in Week 1 because McCarthy struggled even more in the passing game tonight than Penix. The Michigan alum finished 11/21 for 158 yards, two interceptions, and three fumbles. This is McCarthy’s second career NFL start but the Falcons pass rush made him look uncomfortable and confused all night. The Falcons tallied 16 pressures on the Vikings quarterback, recording six sacks and generated pressure on 53.3% of dropbacks. McCarthy was fighting for his life all night and the Vikings offensive output is a clear indicator. Star wideout Justin Jefferson only had three catches but did manage to go for 81 yards but besides Jefferson the Vikings offense was outmatched. Jordan Mason had nine rushes for 30 yards and Aaron Jones had five rushes for 25 yards. The Falcons dominated the trenches and a young McCarthy and variable Vikings backfield could not cope.

Atlanta now moves to 1-1 and will face a Carolina Panthers team on the road that has yet to find the win column this season. Penix, Robinson, and the Falcons should win in Week 3, but a NFC South divisional rivalry could prove more problems for the Falcons than many would anticipate. The Vikings are now also 1-1 but find themselves welcoming a 2-0 Bengals team without Joe Burrow to town in a game where they could surprise the league.

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