Falcons 12–28 Vikings: Score, Stats & Recap | Week 1, 2019

Q: How did the quarterbacks play in Atlanta Falcons vs Minnesota Vikings?

M. Ryan (Atlanta Falcons), 55.9% completion, +3.4% CPOE, -0.04 EPA per dropback, -2.08 total passing EPA. K. Cousins (Minnesota Vikings), 57.1% completion, +17.2% CPOE, +0.71 EPA per dropback, +9.96 total passing EPA.

Q: Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in Atlanta Falcons vs Minnesota Vikings?

K. Cousins (Minnesota Vikings) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +9.96 total EPA on Passing plays. across 14 snaps. Their top snap (+2.89 EPA): (1:15) 8-K.Cousins pass deep right to 14-S.Diggs to ATL 38 for 31 yards (59-D.Campbell). PENALTY on ATL-37-R.Allen, Lowering the Head to Initiate Contact, 15 yards, enforced at ATL.

Quick answer

Winner: Minnesota Vikings
Final score: Minnesota Vikings 28–12 Atlanta Falcons
Halftime: Atlanta Falcons 0–21 Minnesota Vikings at halftime
FantasyHQ MVP: Kirk Cousins
Top passer: Matt Ryan
Biggest EPA play: (3:14) 74-T.Sambrailo reported in as eligible. 2-M.Ryan pass short right intended for 80-L…
Game date: 2019-09-08

Game summary

The Minnesota Vikings beat the Atlanta Falcons 28–12 on 2019-09-08. Kirk Cousins posted a game-high +9.96 total EPA in the passing.

The highest-scoring period was Q1 with 14 combined points.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	—	T
Atlanta Falcons	0	0	0	12	0	12
Minnesota Vikings	14	7	7	0	0	28

Scoring Map

Each pin marks where a score occurred on the field — yard line from play-by-play.

ATLAtlanta Falcons

ATL 23

ATL 1

ATL 7

MIN 20

MIN 2

MINMinnesota Vikings

FantasyHQ Analytics

Scoring timeline

10 scores

Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.

MINMinnesota Vikings
Q1 11:57TD
Adam Thielen
Points+6
Yard line
ATL 23
Score
0-6
(11:57) 8-K.Cousins pass short left to 19-A.Thielen for 23 yards, TOUCHDOWN [97-G.Jarrett].
MINMinnesota Vikings
Q1 11:50XP
Dominic Bailey
Points+1
Yard line
ATL 15
Score
0-7
(Kick formation) 5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-58-A.Cutting, Holder-2-B.Colquitt.
MINMinnesota Vikings
Q1 8:28TD
Dylan Cook
Points+6
Yard line
ATL 19
Score
0-13
(8:28) 33-D.Cook left end for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
MINMinnesota Vikings
Q1 8:22XP
Dominic Bailey
Points+1
Yard line
ATL 15
Score
0-14
(Kick formation) 5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-58-A.Cutting, Holder-2-B.Colquitt.
MINMinnesota Vikings
Q2 4:42TD
Kirk Cousins
Points+6
Yard line
ATL 1
Score
0-20
(4:42) 78-D.Dozier reported in as eligible. 8-K.Cousins up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
MINMinnesota Vikings
Q2 4:40XP
Dominic Bailey
Points+1
Yard line
ATL 15
Score
0-21
(Kick formation) 5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-58-A.Cutting, Holder-2-B.Colquitt.
MINMinnesota Vikings
Q3 0:34TD
Dylan Cook
Points+6
Yard line
ATL 7
Score
0-27
(:34) 33-D.Cook up the middle for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
MINMinnesota Vikings
Q3 0:29XP
Dominic Bailey
Points+1
Yard line
ATL 15
Score
0-28
5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-58-A.Cutting, Holder-2-B.Colquitt.
ATLAtlanta Falcons
Q4 9:25TD
Calvin Ridley
Points+6
Yard line
MIN 20
Score
6-28
(9:25) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass deep left to 18-C.Ridley for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
ATLAtlanta Falcons
Q4 1:09TD
Justin Jones
Points+6
Yard line
MIN 2
Score
12-28
(1:09) (No Huddle) 2-M.Ryan pass short left to 11-J.Jones for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).

1Kirk Cousins · Minnesota Vikings · Passing · +9.96 total EPA · 14 snaps · +0.71 EPA/play
2Calvin Ridley · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +7.62 total EPA · 6 snaps · +1.27 EPA/play
3Adam Thielen · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +5.37 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.79 EPA/play
4Austin Hooper · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +4.10 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.46 EPA/play
5Stefon Diggs · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +3.30 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.65 EPA/play
6Dylan Cook · Minnesota Vikings · Rushing · +2.49 total EPA · 22 snaps · +0.11 EPA/play
7Cooper Beebe · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +1.91 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.91 EPA/play
8Irv Smith Jr. · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +0.78 total EPA · 1 snaps · +0.78 EPA/play

FantasyHQ Game MVP

Highest total EPA with the player's top snap and the game's biggest single play when different.

FantasyHQ Game MVP

Kirk Cousins — MIN · Passing

Kirk Cousins posted the highest total EPA (+9.96) in the game, the strongest overall impact for Minnesota Vikings. Across 14 counted snaps, they averaged +0.71 EPA per play.

Kirk Cousins's top snap (+2.89 EPA): (1:15) 8-K.Cousins pass deep right to 14-S.Diggs to ATL 38 for 31 yards (59-D.Campbell). PENALTY on ATL-37-R.Allen, Lowering the Head to Initiate Contact, 15 yards, enforced at ATL 38.

Biggest single play (-7.07 EPA): T. Sambrailo — (3:14) 74-T.Sambrailo reported in as eligible. 2-M.Ryan pass short right intended for 80-L.Stocker INTERCEPTED by 41-A.Harris at MIN -9. Touchback.

Quarterback report card

Matt Ryan led all passers in efficiency for Atlanta Falcons, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

Matt Ryan (Atlanta Falcons) · 59 dropbacks · 55.9% completion · +3.4% CPOE · -0.04 EPA/play · -2.08 total EPA
Kirk Cousins (Minnesota Vikings) · 14 dropbacks · 57.1% completion · +17.2% CPOE · +0.71 EPA/play · +9.96 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.

Stat	Atlanta Falcons	Minnesota Vikings
Offensive EPA/play	-0.146	+0.069
Offensive success rate	40.2%	42.0%
Pass EPA/play	-0.035	+0.712
Rush EPA/play	-0.585	-0.001
Defensive EPA/play	-0.069	+0.146
Defensive success rate	58.0%	59.8%

Drive & efficiency notes

Minnesota Vikings held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.07 vs -0.15), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):

Atlanta Falcons: -0.15 EPA/play (20th percentile vs. 2019 team-game averages)
Minnesota Vikings: +0.07 EPA/play (70th percentile vs. 2019 team-game averages)

Atlanta Falcons: 10 drives, -12.74 total EPA, 2 scoring drives
Minnesota Vikings: 10 drives, +4.76 total EPA, 4 scoring drives

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal from official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

Minnesota Vikings — Adam Thielen (Kirk Cousins pass) (Q1 11:57)
Minnesota Vikings — Dylan Cook (Q1 8:28)
Minnesota Vikings — Kirk Cousins (Q2 4:42)
Minnesota Vikings — Dylan Cook (Q3 0:34)
Atlanta Falcons — Calvin Ridley (Matt Ryan pass) (Q4 9:25)
Atlanta Falcons — Justin Jones (Matt Ryan pass) (Q4 1:09)

Quarter by quarter

Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.

The opening quarter: Minnesota Vikings won the period 14–0. Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the ATL 23 (Q1 11:57) — (11:57) 8-K.Cousins pass short left to 19-A.Thielen for 23 yards, TOUCHDOWN [97-G.Jarrett].; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the ATL 15 (Q1 11:50) — (Kick formation) 5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-58-A.Cutting, Holder-2-B.Colquitt.; Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the ATL 19 (Q1 8:28) — (8:28) 33-D.Cook left end for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the ATL 15 (Q1 8:22) — (Kick formation) 5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-58-A.Cutting, Holder-2-B.Colquitt..

The second quarter: Minnesota Vikings won the period 7–0. Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the ATL 1 (Q2 4:42) — (4:42) 78-D.Dozier reported in as eligible. 8-K.Cousins up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the ATL 15 (Q2 4:40) — (Kick formation) 5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-58-A.Cutting, Holder-2-B.Colquitt..

The third quarter: Minnesota Vikings won the period 7–0. Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the ATL 7 (Q3 0:34) — (:34) 33-D.Cook up the middle for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the ATL 15 (Q3 0:29) — 5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-58-A.Cutting, Holder-2-B.Colquitt..

The fourth quarter: Atlanta Falcons won the period 12–0. Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the MIN 20 (Q4 9:25) — (9:25) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass deep left to 18-C.Ridley for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the MIN 2 (Q4 1:09) — (1:09) (No Huddle) 2-M.Ryan pass short left to 11-J.Jones for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most.

Atlanta Falcons (Q1 12:59) — (12:59) 5-M.Bosher punt is BLOCKED by 50-E.Wilson, Center-47-J.Harris, RECOVERED by MIN-50-E.Wilson at ATL 21. 50-E.Wilson to ATL 21 for no gain (41-S.Neasman). [WPA -11.4% · EPA -4.03]
Atlanta Falcons (Q1 10:02) — (10:02) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short middle intended for 11-J.Jones INTERCEPTED by 41-A.Harris at ATL 41. 41-A.Harris to ATL 41 for no gain (11-J.Jones). [WPA -8.7% · EPA -4.83]
Atlanta Falcons (Q2 10:26) — (10:26) 24-D.Freeman left tackle to MIN 21 for no gain (26-T.Waynes). FUMBLES (26-T.Waynes), RECOVERED by MIN-41-A.Harris at MIN 21. 41-A.Harris to MIN 21 for no gain (24-D.Freeman). [WPA -6.2% · EPA -5.87]
Minnesota Vikings (Q1 11:57) — (11:57) 8-K.Cousins pass short left to 19-A.Thielen for 23 yards, TOUCHDOWN [97-G.Jarrett]. [WPA +5.0% · EPA +2.79]
Atlanta Falcons (Q1 15:00) — (15:00) 2-M.Ryan sacked at ATL 17 for -8 yards (55-A.Barr). [WPA -3.5% · EPA -1.66]

Impact plays

Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.

Atlanta Falcons (Q3 3:14) — (3:14) 74-T.Sambrailo reported in as eligible. 2-M.Ryan pass short right intended for 80-L.Stocker INTERCEPTED by 41-A.Harris at MIN -9. Touchback. [WPA -2.8% · EPA -7.07]
Atlanta Falcons (Q2 10:26) — (10:26) 24-D.Freeman left tackle to MIN 21 for no gain (26-T.Waynes). FUMBLES (26-T.Waynes), RECOVERED by MIN-41-A.Harris at MIN 21. 41-A.Harris to MIN 21 for no gain (24-D.Freeman). [WPA -6.2% · EPA -5.87]
Atlanta Falcons (Q1 10:02) — (10:02) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short middle intended for 11-J.Jones INTERCEPTED by 41-A.Harris at ATL 41. 41-A.Harris to ATL 41 for no gain (11-J.Jones). [WPA -8.7% · EPA -4.83]
Atlanta Falcons (Q4 9:25) — (9:25) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass deep left to 18-C.Ridley for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +0.0% · EPA +4.52]

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.

Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q1 11:57 · ATL 23 · Score 0-6
(11:57) 8-K.Cousins pass short left to 19-A.Thielen for 23 yards, TOUCHDOWN [97-G.Jarrett].
Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q1 11:50 · ATL 15 · Score 0-7
(Kick formation) 5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-58-A.Cutting, Holder-2-B.Colquitt.
Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q1 8:28 · ATL 19 · Score 0-13
(8:28) 33-D.Cook left end for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q1 8:22 · ATL 15 · Score 0-14
(Kick formation) 5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-58-A.Cutting, Holder-2-B.Colquitt.
Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q2 4:42 · ATL 1 · Score 0-20
(4:42) 78-D.Dozier reported in as eligible. 8-K.Cousins up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q2 4:40 · ATL 15 · Score 0-21
(Kick formation) 5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-58-A.Cutting, Holder-2-B.Colquitt.
Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q3 0:34 · ATL 7 · Score 0-27
(:34) 33-D.Cook up the middle for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q3 0:29 · ATL 15 · Score 0-28
5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-58-A.Cutting, Holder-2-B.Colquitt.
Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q4 9:25 · MIN 20 · Score 6-28
(9:25) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass deep left to 18-C.Ridley for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q4 1:09 · MIN 2 · Score 12-28
(1:09) (No Huddle) 2-M.Ryan pass short left to 11-J.Jones for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

Key takeaways

What to remember for fantasy research and follow-up box score digging.

Minnesota Vikings earned the result — use the box score for snap-level context.
Kirk Cousins (Minnesota Vikings) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.
Matt Ryan (ATL) finished above expected through the air (positive CPOE).
Kirk Cousins (MIN) finished above expected through the air (positive CPOE).

Frequently asked questions

Who won Atlanta Falcons vs Minnesota Vikings on 2019-09-08?

The Minnesota Vikings beat the Atlanta Falcons 28-12 in Week 1, 2019.

What was the score by quarter in Atlanta Falcons vs Minnesota Vikings?

Q1: Atlanta Falcons 0, Minnesota Vikings 14; Q2: Atlanta Falcons 0, Minnesota Vikings 7; Q3: Atlanta Falcons 0, Minnesota Vikings 7; Q4: Atlanta Falcons 12, Minnesota Vikings 0; Final: Atlanta Falcons 12, Minnesota Vikings 28.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Atlanta Falcons vs Minnesota Vikings?

Minnesota Vikings touchdown — A. Thielen (K. Cousins pass) (Q1 11:57) Minnesota Vikings touchdown — D. Cook (Q1 8:28) Minnesota Vikings touchdown — K. Cousins (Q2 4:42) Minnesota Vikings touchdown — D. Cook (Q3 0:34) Atlanta Falcons touchdown — C. Ridley (M. Ryan pass) (Q4 9:25) Atlanta Falcons touchdown — J. Jones (M. Ryan pass) (Q4 1:09) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.

How did the quarterbacks play in Atlanta Falcons vs Minnesota Vikings?

Matt Ryan (Atlanta Falcons), 55.9% completion, +3.4% CPOE, -0.04 EPA per dropback, -2.08 total passing EPA. Kirk Cousins (Minnesota Vikings), 57.1% completion, +17.2% CPOE, +0.71 EPA per dropback, +9.96 total passing EPA.

Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in Atlanta Falcons vs Minnesota Vikings?

Kirk Cousins (Minnesota Vikings) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +9.96 total EPA on Passing plays. across 14 snaps. Their top snap (+2.89 EPA): (1:15) 8-K.Cousins pass deep right to 14-S.Diggs to ATL 38 for 31 yards (59-D.Campbell). PENALTY on ATL-37-R.Allen, Lowering the Head to Initiate Contact, 15 yards, enforced at ATL.

Season records after this game

Atlanta Falcons

Now 0-1 L

Minnesota Vikings

Now 1-0 W

Atlanta Falcons vs. Minnesota Vikings: 2019 Week 1 Recap

Top fantasy performers · Falcons

Top fantasy performers · Vikings

Quick answer

Game summary