When the Falcons and Vikings meet, fans always ask the same thing: who played best? This guide answers that question in simple words. We look at the player stats from the two latest games between these teams, from December 2024 and September 2025. You will see the passing, rushing, receiving and defense numbers, and we explain what each one means. We also share the date of the next game, which is on November 29, 2026. All numbers come from trusted box score sites, so you can check them yourself.
Quick Match Facts
Here is a short look at the last two meetings. Both games took place in Minneapolis at U.S. Bank Stadium.
| Game | Date | Final Score | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 2, 2025 | September 14, 2025 | Falcons 22, Vikings 6 | Falcons |
| Week 14, 2024 | December 8, 2024 | Vikings 42, Falcons 21 | Vikings |
The two results look very different. In 2025, the Falcons won with a strong run game, a hard-working defense and a kicker who made every field goal. In 2024, the Vikings won with a quarterback who threw five touchdown passes. The next game will also be in Minneapolis, on Sunday, November 29, 2026, at 1:00 PM Eastern Time.
How to Read NFL Player Stats
Football stats can look confusing at first, so let us start with the basics. A passing line such as 13/21 means a quarterback completed 13 passes out of 21 tries. Rushing stats show how many times a player ran with the ball and how many yards he gained. Receiving stats show targets, catches and yards. A target means the quarterback threw the ball to that player, even if he did not catch it.
Two more terms appear often. A sack happens when a defender tackles the quarterback before he can throw. Passer rating is a score for quarterbacks, and the top score is 158.3. You may also see two different passing totals for the same game. Some sites show gross yards, and others take away the yards lost on sacks. That is why one site may show 135 yards for a quarterback while another shows 108.
Falcons vs Vikings in September 2025: The Game Story
The Falcons won this game 22 to 6 on a Sunday night in Minneapolis. Atlanta scored 6 points in the first quarter, 3 in the second, 3 in the third and 10 in the fourth. Minnesota scored only 6 points, and both came from field goals by kicker Will Reichard. The Vikings did not score a touchdown all night.
Atlanta also scored just one touchdown. Running back Tyler Allgeier ran 5 yards for it late in the fourth quarter. Kicker John Parker Romo did the rest of the work. He made five field goals, from 38, 29, 33, 33 and 54 yards. Pro Football Reference lists all of these scoring plays.
Falcons Player Stats From the 2025 Game
Quarterback Michael Penix Jr. had a quiet but safe night. He completed 13 of 21 passes for 135 yards, with no touchdowns and no interceptions. The Vikings sacked him three times, which cost 27 yards. That left his net passing total at 108 yards. His passer rating was 80.5.
The run game was the star. Bijan Robinson carried the ball 22 times for 143 yards, and his longest run was 25 yards. Allgeier added 16 carries for 76 yards and the touchdown. As a team, Atlanta ran 39 times for 218 yards. In the passing game, tight end Kyle Pitts caught 4 passes for 37 yards. Drake London had 3 catches for 49 yards, and Darnell Mooney had 2 catches for 20 yards.
Vikings Player Stats From the 2025 Game
This was a hard night for Minnesota quarterback J.J. McCarthy. He completed 11 of 21 passes for 158 yards, with no touchdowns and two interceptions. The Falcons sacked him six times for 38 yards, so his passer rating was only 37.5. He did help with his legs, though. He ran five times for 25 yards.
Justin Jefferson was the best Viking on the field. He caught 3 passes for 81 yards, and his longest catch went for 50 yards. Jalen Nailor had 3 catches for 31 yards, and Adam Thielen added 2 catches for 26 yards. On the ground, Jordan Mason ran 9 times for 30 yards, and Aaron Jones had 5 carries for 23 yards.
Defense and Kicker Stats That Changed the Game
The Falcons defense made life hard for McCarthy. FantasyData lists six sacks and eleven quarterback hits for the Atlanta defense. Zach Harrison and Brandon Dorlus helped lead the pass rush. Two defensive backs, Billy Bowman Jr. and Xavier Watts, each picked off a pass. Harrison also forced a fumble, and Atlanta recovered two fumbles in the game.
The Vikings defense played well too, even in a loss. Jalen Redmond, Dallas Turner and Jonathan Greenard each had a sack. Linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. made nine tackles, and Theo Jackson also made nine and recovered a fumble. The big gap came from the kickers. Romo made all five of his field goals, while Reichard made both of his. In a game with so few touchdowns, those kicks decided the result.
December 2024: A Big Night for the Vikings Offense
The 2024 game was a very different story. Atlanta scored first on a 6 yard run by Allgeier. Minnesota answered with a 49 yard touchdown pass to Jordan Addison near the end of the first quarter. The Vikings led 14 to 10 at halftime. After Robinson scored a 13 yard touchdown late in the third quarter, the game was tied at 21 to 21.
Then Minnesota took over. The Vikings scored three touchdowns in the fourth quarter. Addison caught passes of 11 and 6 yards, and Aaron Jones ran 15 yards for the last score. Atlanta scored nothing in the final quarter. The Falcons were led by Kirk Cousins, who had played for the Vikings before. He lost his return to Minneapolis, and he also threw two interceptions.
Player Stats From the 2024 Game
Sam Darnold had a near perfect game for Minnesota. He completed 22 of 28 passes for 347 yards and five touchdowns, with no interceptions. His passer rating was 157.9, which is very close to the best possible score of 158.3. Addison caught 8 passes for 133 yards and three touchdowns. Jefferson caught all 7 passes thrown to him for 132 yards and two touchdowns. Jones added 13 carries for 73 yards and a score.
Atlanta also moved the ball. Cousins completed 23 of 37 passes for 344 yards, with no touchdowns and two interceptions. Mooney caught 6 passes for 142 yards. Ray-Ray McCloud had 8 catches for 98 yards, and London had 5 catches for 70 yards. Robinson ran 22 times for 92 yards and a touchdown, and Allgeier added 63 yards and a score. McCloud also lost a fumble. Big yardage was not enough, because the Falcons could not stop the Vikings in the fourth quarter.
What to Watch in the Next Falcons vs Vikings Game
The next meeting is on Sunday, November 29, 2026, at 1:00 PM Eastern Time at U.S. Bank Stadium. This game has not been played yet, so there are no new player stats to share. Rosters and injuries can change before game day.
The past two games show a few things to watch. First, look at how well Atlanta can run the ball. Robinson gained 143 yards in 2025, and that win was built on the ground. Second, watch the quarterback battle and how often each one gets sacked. Third, see how the Falcons cover Jefferson, who scored twice in 2024 and had an 81 yard night in 2025.
Where to Find Reliable Player Stats
The best way to check stats is to use a few trusted sites. Pro Football Reference has full box scores with scoring plays, passing, rushing and receiving. ESPN shows quick team and player tables. FantasyData adds helpful defense and kicker lines.
It helps to compare two sites if a number looks strange. As we saw, sites may show passing yards in different ways. Some also count shared sacks in different ways.
Conclusion
The Falcons and Vikings gave fans two very different games in a short time. In 2025, Bijan Robinson ran for 143 yards, the Falcons defense sacked J.J. McCarthy six times, and Atlanta won 22 to 6. In 2024, Sam Darnold threw five touchdown passes and the Vikings won 42 to 21. Both games show that stats tell a story, and the story changes from one night to the next.
Now all eyes turn to November 29, 2026. When that game ends, we can add the new numbers to this guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the score the last time the Falcons played the Vikings?
The Falcons won 22 to 6 on September 14, 2025, in Minneapolis. Atlanta scored one touchdown and five field goals. Minnesota scored two field goals.
Who had the best player stats in the Falcons vs Vikings games?
It depends on the game. In 2025, Bijan Robinson led all players with 143 rushing yards. In 2024, Sam Darnold had the top numbers, with 347 passing yards and five touchdowns. Jordan Addison also caught three touchdown passes in that game.
When do the Falcons and Vikings play next?
They play on Sunday, November 29, 2026, at 1:00 PM Eastern Time at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. After the game, you can find full player stats on Pro Football Reference, ESPN and the official NFL pages.
