Atlanta @ Minnesota preview

Last Meeting ( Dec 3, 2017 ) Minnesota 14, Atlanta 9

The Minnesota Vikings are banking that Year Two of their substantial investment into Kirk Cousins pays off significantly greater than their initial return. Cousins will attempt to produce larger dividends on Sunday when the Vikings kick off the new season in Minneapolis against another team that failed to reach last year's playoffs in the Atlanta Falcons.

"Every year is a new year," Minnesota coach Mike Zimmer said. "I think you go in with everything the same. Hopefully, we approach things with a chip on our shoulder and out to prove something." Statistically speaking, Cousins performed well to the tune of completing 70.1 percent of his passes while throwing for a career-high 30 touchdowns -- including nine apiece to wideouts Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs -- although inexplicable offensive power failures proved to be the Vikings' undoing. Atlanta boasts the potent combination of 2016 NFL MVP Matt Ryan and six-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Julio Jones, with the former throwing for over 4,500 passing yards for the sixth time in his career last season. Jones, who led NFL with 1,677 receiving yards in 2018, needs two receptions in his 112th career game on Sunday to become the second-fastest player to reach 700 in NFL history (Antonio Brown, 111).

TV: 1 p.m. ET, FOX. LINE: Vikings -4. O/U: 48

ABOUT THE FALCONS (2018: 7-9, TIED FOR 2ND IN NFC SOUTH): Calvin Ridley quickly gained the trust of Ryan in 2018 and led all rookie wideouts in catches (64), receiving yards (821) and receiving touchdowns (10). While Ryan also has Mohamed Sanu coming off a career year, the quarterback is pleased to see the return of two-time Pro Bowl running back Devonta Freeman return following groin surgery. "His production when he's been healthy is as good as anybody. ... We're lucky to have him back," Ryan said of Freeman, who has missed 16 games over the last two seasons. The Falcons' ground attack was ranked 27th (98.3 yards per contest) in the league, a stark contrast to the fourth-ranked passing game (290.8).

ABOUT THE VIKINGS (2018: 8-7-1, 2ND IN NFC NORTH): Thielen had an NFL fourth-best 113 receptions, a career-high 1,373 receiving yards and a franchise-record nine games with 100-plus receiving yards last season while Diggs set career-highs in catches (102), receiving yards (1,021) and touchdown receptions (nine). Impressive totals to be certain, but the Vikings weren't willing to rest on their laurels and added a player with ties to Cousins in former Washington first-round pick Josh Doctson. "It's been very easy for me so far," Doctson said. "A lot of the same concepts (as the Redskins' offense), familiar routes, just kind of different verbiage, so it's pretty easy." Running back Dalvin Cook hopes to have an easier -- and healthier -- time of it after showing flashes of promise in his first two seasons despite being limited to just 15 games.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Atlanta CB Damontae Kazee recorded a career-high seven interceptions last season, tied for most in the NFL.

2. The Vikings have won 10 of the 13 meetings at home against the Falcons.

3. Atlanta returned to a familiar face when it re-signed K Matt Bryant, 44, to a one-year deal after releasing him in February.

PREDICTION: Vikings 23, Falcons 21