Week 4 Game Recap: Minnesota Vikings 10, Atlanta Falcons 30

What you need to know

Minnesota Vikings

With five defensive starters missing from the lineup, the Vikings were overmatched by the Falcons’ offense even without their star Michael Vick. The defense allowed the Falcons to score on three of the first four possessions and was unable to recover with the offense providing no support.

The Vikings’ offense started their first series with three consecutive penalties which set the tone for what turned out to be a long afternoon for Daunte Culpepper and the Vikings. The Vikings would finish the game with 11 penalties in the game.

Daunte Culpepper's horrid season continued against the Falcons this week. Culpepper threw two interceptions had a lost a fumble as he increased his turnover total to 13 through four games this season. He also was sacked nine times in the game and has now been sacked a total of 20 times in four games.

Mewelde Moore recorded 120 yards of total offense leading the Vikings in rushing and receiving yards in the game.

Atlanta Falcons

The hometown fans in Atlanta were silent as Michael Vick remained on the turf after an incomplete pass grasping his right knee midway through the second quarter. The injury was reported as a right knee sprain and x-rays taken at halftime were negative. Vikings’ defensive lineman Erasmus James fell on Vick’s leg as he tackled him to the turf but the injury did not look to be serious as his knee was not twisted or bent awkwardly during the play.

The Falcons’ rushing attack dominated the Vikings and exploded for 285 yards on the ground and two touchdowns. After today’s performance on the ground, Atlanta is now averaging over 200 yards a game which is leading the NFL.

Warrick Dunn led the Falcons’ with 126 yards on 18 carries and a touchdown. Dunn scored on a 37 yard touchdown run in the second quarter giving him 50 for his career during the regular season.

Before leaving the game with an injury, Vick had rushed for 58 yards including 47 on the Falcons’ first possession. He also was six of eight passing for 49 yards and a touchdown.

What you ought to know

QB Daunte Culpepper, Pass: 23 - 34 - 250 - 1 TD / 2 INT, Rush: 1 - 10 - 0

Culpepper continued to take a beating as he completed 23 of 33 passes for 250 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions. After showing signs of 2004 last week against the Saints, Culpepper reverted back to the first two games of the season and sometimes looked lost in the pocket against Atlanta. His lone touchdown came with just over two minutes in the game to avoid complete embarrassment for the offense. Culpepper was also sacked nine times in the game and had a lost fumble. With the addition of two interceptions in this game, he increased his league leading total to ten on the season.

RB Mewelde Moore, Rush: 14 - 57 - 0, Rec: 6 - 63 - 0 (9 targets)

Moore was the leading rushing and receiver in the game for Minnesota. He had 57 yards on the ground on 14 carries and pitched in with another 63 yards in receptions. Moore appears to have solidified his role as the starting running back for the Vikings with another solid performance on a struggling offense.

RB Michael Bennett, Rush: 1 - -4 - 0, Rec: 2 - 31 - 0 (2 targets)

Bennett was not a factor in the game with his only carry going for negative yards. Bennett did have a 20 yard reception late in the fourth quarter to help set up the Vikings’ only touchdown.

WR Travis Taylor, Rec: 5 - 62 - 0 (9 targets)

Taylor was the leading target for Culpepper in the game and had five catches for 62 yards. He will continue to see plenty of playing time while Nate Burleson remains sidelined with an injury.

WR Troy Williamson, Rec: 4 - 39 - 1 (5 targets)

Williamson saw all of his catches in the second half including a 16 yards touchdown grab late in the fourth quarter. He broke free on a corner route and was wide open for the pass from Culpepper. It was the second touchdown in the last two games for Williamson.

WR Marcus Robinson, Rec: 1 - 17 - 0 (4 targets)

Robinson was not a factor in the game and saw his only catch late in the fourth quarter.

WR Koren Robinson (1 targets)

Robinson played an insignificant role in the game and saw his only target underthrown and intercepted by Atlanta. He continues to most of his time on special teams.

TE Jermaine Wiggins, Rec: 3 - 25 - 0 (3 targets)

Wiggins caught all three of his targets for 25 yards. His big play in the game was a 15 yard reception as he found a seam against the zone and Culpepper threw a strike to him.

TE Jim Kleinsasser, Rec: 2 - 13 - 0 (2 targets)

Kleinsasser had just two catches in the game for just 13 yards.

PK Paul Edinger 1 - 1 FG, 1 - 1 XP, 4 points

Edinger was perfect on his only attempts in the game. He put the Vikings on the board in the third quarter with a 43 yard field goal. He also made his only extra point attempt of the game.

MIN Rush Defense

The Vikings’ rush defense was shredded by the Falcons’ ground game. Minnesota gave up an overwhelming 285 yards on the ground and two touchdowns. The Falcons’ averaged seven yards per carry against a depleted Minnesota defense.

MIN Pass Defense

The Minnesota pass defense numbers look pretty good considering they held Atlanta to just 88 yards passing and one touchdown. However, Atlanta did not need to pass the ball due to the dominant ground attack that Minnesota just could not seem to stop.

QB Matt Schaub, Pass: 5 - 14 - 39 - 0 TD / 0 INT, Rush: 4 - 56 - 0

Schaub relieved Vick in the second quarter and contributed to the Falcons’ rushing game with 56 yards of his own. He did not dazzle the crowd with his passing number, just five completions for 39 yards but he did keep the Falcons in control and did not have any turnovers.

QB Michael Vick, Pass: 6 - 8 - 49 - 1 TD / 0 INT, Rush: 4 - 58 - 0

Vick played well before the injury to his right knee gathering 58 yards rushing and throwing for a touchdown. He appeared to be headed for a huge game against a weak Minnesota defense, leading Atlanta on two touchdown drives on their first two possessions. Vick completed a five yard touchdown pass to TE Alge Crumpler and the Falcons never looked back as they dominated Minnesota. The injury to Vick appeared to be minor and Coach Mora elected to play it cautious and leave Vick on the sideline. Vick was walking on the sidelines and should be expected to play next week against New England.

RB Warrick Dunn, Rush: 18 - 126 - 1, Rec: 1 - 7 - 0 (1 targets)

Dunn led the Falcons with 126 yards rushing and a touchdown. The touchdown was the 50th of his career. His 37 yard touchdown run was the best play of the game for Atlanta as he took the handoff from Schaub off left tackle, found a small opening and made his way back towards the middle of the field before leaping for the end zone.

RB T.J. Duckett, Rush: 14 - 40 - 1

Duckett played his usual role as a power back and provided 40 yards to the Falcons’ total and a touchdown. He scored on Atlanta’s second possession taking the handoff from Vick and powering his way into the end zone for the one yard score.

RB Justin Griffith, Rush: 1 - 5 - 0 (1 targets)

Griffith played well leading the way for Dunn. Late in the second quarter, Griffith has his first rushing attempt of the season, a five yard gain off right tackle.

WR Brian Finneran, Rec: 3 - 31 - 0 (6 targets)

Finneran led the Falcons’ receivers with three catches for 31 yards. His first catch put the Falcons inside the ten yard line setting up Duckett’s touchdown run. He also contributed with a nice 15 yard grab that put Atlanta in Minnesota territory prior to Dunn’s 37 yard touchdown burst.

WR Roddy White, Rec: 2 - 12 - 0 (4 targets)

The rookie receiver caught the first passes of his career in the game. White had two catches for 12 yards both receptions were for first downs. He was also a deep end zone target late in the game but the pass was over thrown by Schaub.

WR Michael Jenkins, Rec: 1 - 12 - 0 (1 targets)

Jenkins was not a factor and caught his only target of the game for a 12 yard gain.

TE Alge Crumpler, Rec: 3 - 16 - 1 (8 targets)

Crumpler did not have a big game but did manage to collect his first touchdown reception of the season. He executed a fake block on play action pass; Vick hit Crumpler with the pass and Crumpler reached across the goal line for the score.

TE Dwayne Blakley, Rec: 1 - 10 - 0 (1 targets)

Blakley caught his only pass of the game in the first quarter. The reception was a leaping catch thrown by Vick for a ten yard gain.

PK Todd Peterson 3 - 3 FG, 3 - 3 XP, 12 points

Peterson had a nice game connecting on three field goal and three extra point attempts. He was successful from 38, 26 and 39 yards away.

ATL Rush Defense

The Falcons’ rush defense held Minnesota to just 63 yards in the game and no touchdowns. Minnesota was forced to abandon the running game after falling behind early.

ATL Pass Defense

The Atlanta pass defense was successful in containing Culpepper and allowing 250 yards through the air. Keith Brooking and DeAngelo Hall each had an interception in the game for Atlanta. Atlanta also put plenty of pressure on Daunte Culpepper and was able to sack the Minnesota quarterback a total of nine times, one shy of the team record.