EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- "Next man up."
The rash of injuries have led to "next man up" as the Minnesota Vikings rallying cry. Already without star running back Adrian Peterson, Minnesota lost four starters heading into this week's home game against the Atlanta Falcons.
The Vikings will try to slow Atlanta's top-ranked offense without starting linebacker Chad Greenway. The offense will attempt to overcome a slow start to the season without quarterback Matt Cassel, tight end Kyle Rudolph and right guard Brandon Fusco.
Without several players and facing an important game against the 2-1 Falcons, here are five things to watch Sunday:
1. Teddy's time
Cassel's broken foot robs Minnesota of its starting quarterback, but it opens the door for the people's choice, Teddy Bridgewater. Coaches believe in Bridgewater as he gets his first chance to start. The rookie was drafted for this exact role, but the timing arrived quicker than the team expected.
Bridgewater has looked the part since being drafted in the first round this summer and there's the hope there's little drop off, if at all. Bridgewater is more mobile than Cassel and has a stronger arm. Bridgewater is known for his accuracy, as well. For Bridgewater, it's up to the mental side and seeing the game unfold in front of him.
Forced into action in a tough situation last week, Bridgewater was 12-of-20 passing for 150 yards. He'll earn his first career start at home with support from fans who have already chanted his name in two preseason games this year. Bridgewater will also be facing Atlanta's 25th-ranked pass defense.
The Falcons allow 262.7 passing yards per game. They have just three sacks this season and two interceptions. Three separate players have three sacks.
2. Protection and push
Atlanta's inability to get quarterbacks on the ground could be good news for a Minnesota offensive line that has struggled at times this season, particularly left tackle Matt Kalil. After dealing with edge rushers like Robert Quinn, Chris Long, Chandler Jones, Junior Galette and Cameron Jordan, Kalil and right tackle Phil Loadholt will face Kroy Biermann, Osi Umenyiora and Jonathan Babineaux on the outside.
Biermann, Umenyiora and Babineaux don't have a sack yet. The team's sacks have come from backup ends Stansly Maponga and Jonathan Massaquoi and backup tackle Corey Peters. Minnesota quarterbacks have been sacked eight times this season. Bridgewater is sure to see pressure as the Falcons try to rattle the rookie.
Atlanta has been a bit better against the run, ranking 19th in the league in giving up 124.3 rushing yards per game. Vladimir Ducasse will be replacing Fusco at right guard and will have to deal with a strong pair of run-stopping tackles for the Falcons in Paul Soliai and Tyson Jackson. Ducasse played 10 snaps last week and had a false start and holding penalty. He'll need to hold up better to help Minnesota's struggling running game.
3. Another test for the defense
The Vikings have faced Drew Brees and Tom Brady the past two weeks and will now see Atlanta's Matt Ryan. A change for the defense will be Ryan's top target. After having to deal with tight ends Jimmy Graham and Rob Gronkowsi, the Falcons will stress Minnesota's defense with a big-play set of receivers.
Cornerbacks Xavier Rhodes, Captain Munnerlyn, Josh Robinson and perhaps Jabari Price will be tested by Atlanta's Julio Jones, Roddy White, Harry Douglas and Devin Hester. Jones is one of the league's best receivers and will likely draw Rhodes at times. Jones has 23 catches for 365 yards and three touchdowns already this season.
Minnesota's defense has been its strength so far this season and will be needed to stronger as the season progresses without Peterson and Rudolph and with Bridgewater learning on the fly. The early returns on coach Mike Zimmer's defense are promising though.
The Vikings have the league's 11th-ranked defense, giving up 335.3 yards per game. They are ninth in scoring, giving up 18.7 points per game. Minnesota was also put into tough positions in Week 2. One touchdown was allowed on a blocked field goal. New England had a one-yard touchdown drive after an interception and a 17-yard field goal drive after another interception.
4. Repeat of running
For the third straight week, the Vikings' running game is a pregame focus. Minnesota has simply been unable to have any success running the ball without Peterson. Making matters worse, Cordarrelle Patterson hasn't had many chances to run the ball. After not getting a carry in Week 2, Patterson had one last week and lost seven yards.
Matt Asiata is expected to get another start. He has 25 carries the past two weeks in getting the bulk of Peterson's workload and he has totaled 71 rushing yards. Asiata's longest carry has been eight yards. Minnesota, and Bridgewater, simply needs more from its running game.
Rookie Jerick McKinnon has five carries this season for seven yards. He's also missed a couple of pass-blocking assignments and dropped a couple passes. He hasn't taken advantage of his chances and coaches have noticed the same thing.
Maybe Joe Banyard will get a shot at providing some production. Banyard led the team in rushing in the preseason and showed more elusiveness and quickness than Asiata. Is this the week Minnesota changes personnel in hopes of getting a boost from its running game?
5. Handling Hester
Hester is certainly no stranger to the Vikings. He has been a thorn in Minnesota's side for years as a dangerous returner for the Bears. The Falcons have also discovered ways to use him in the offense.
Hester has caught seven passes for 126 yards and also had one carry for a 20-yard touchdown, in addition to his return duties. Atlanta has been good with Jones and White on the outside and using Douglas as a third receiver, but Hester adds to the headache for defenses. Hester also had two receiving touchdowns in the preseason.
Vikings special teams coordinator Mike Priefer is used to dealing with Hester. Hester had a 62-yard punt return touchdown last week to set the all-time record for return touchdowns previously held by Deion Sanders. Hester has averaged 28 yards on six kickoff returns this season and 15.2 yards on five punt returns.
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