Atlanta Falcons’ timing is perfect for Vikings

From the moment the Minnesota Vikings saw Kirk Cousins ​​leave for the Atlanta Falcons, the opponent scheduled on their schedule took on an increased level of performance. We knew it was a home game, but after the NFL schedule was released, the timing couldn’t have been more perfect.

Atlanta Falcons’ timing is perfect for Vikings

Atlanta was determined to pay Kirk Cousins ​​this offseason, and it seemed like they were also intent on not allowing anyone to get in their way. Being investigated for forgery and offering him a sum that would almost always be unrivaled, they should never have really felt in danger of outbidding.

Set to be their starter from the start and for the foreseeable future, the Atlanta Falcons are betting on Kirk Cousins ​​​​who will be the difference in getting them to the Super Bowl. Desmond Ridder certainly wasn’t, and Taylor Heinecke didn’t have that edge either. Bringing in a veteran player to team up with Drake London and Kyle Pitts is a logical move.

For the Minnesota Vikings, it’s great that the game against Atlanta won’t take place in the first week or even the first half of the season. Kevin O’Connell’s team has plenty of exciting stories to go through on its own, and Cousins’ return to US Bank Stadium would all but dominate those coming out of the gate.

Sam Darnold is expected to start for the Minnesota Vikings in Week 1, but Week 14 represents a very real opportunity that rookie JJ McCarthy has taken over. If that’s the case, Cousins’ return will be against whoever replaced him in the franchise he spent the last few years with.

Watching McCarthy take on Cousins ​​at US Bank Stadium would be a welcome matchup for even the former Vikings quarterback’s biggest fans. It’s not like Cousins ​​left on bad terms, but he went after the dollars again, leaving the franchise in a position where a new hire could step into the role of hero.

It remains to be seen how competitive Minnesota will be this season, and much of that should be figured out by the time Atlanta comes to Minneapolis. Two good teams coming together with all scenarios at US Bank Stadium would be a true homecoming.

Ted Schwerzler is a Twin Cities blogger focusing on all things Minnesota Twins and Minnesota Vikings. He is active on Twitter and writes every week for Everyday twins. As a former college athlete and sports fan, covering our professional teams with passion always seemed like such a natural outlet.