Falcons Prepare for Vikings

Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images(ATLANTA) — The Atlanta Falcons will travel to Minnesota to take on the Vikings on Sunday.

Minnesota will be sending out rookie quarterback Teddy Bridgewater for his first career start after veteran Matt Cassel was injured last weekend and ruled out for the remainder of the season.

“It’s a lifelong dream to play and start in this league,” Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan said of Bridgewater making his first start.  “It’s a really special day; it’s one that you’ll never forget.  I think Teddy will do a great job.”

Falcons head coach Mike Smith knows that facing a rookie quarterback will be tough for his defense.

“We’ve got a challenge in my mind with an athletic quarterback to be able to keep him in the pocket,” Smith said after Monday’s practice.

“He is very athletic. … He was able to make some plays with his feet. That’s another dynamic. … I think you’ll see they want to put the ball in his hands and give him some run-pass options. That’s one of his strengths, the ability to extend plays, and he did a great job as a college quarterback extending plays. We’ll have to do some different things in preparing for him, in regards to pass rush and pass-rush lanes.”

Atlanta is averaging 34.3 points per game this season and Ryan went 21 of 24 and threw three touchdowns in their 56-14 rout of the Rams last Thursday.

“They’ve got a lot of weapons,” Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer said.  “We’re going to have to do a great job of being in the right place.  We have to make sure we’re in the right position of coverage all day.”

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