Falcons ride strong running game to victory over Vikings

Bijan Robinson rushed 22 times for 143 yards, Tyler Allgeier posted 76 rushing yards and a touchdown and the Atlanta Falcons pulled away for a 22-6 win over the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday night in Minneapolis.

Michael Penix Jr. completed 13 of 21 passes for 135 yards for Atlanta (1-1), which bounced back from a season-opening loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Falcons compiled 218 rushing yards and outgained the Vikings 326-198.

JJ McCarthy completed 11 of 21 passes for 158 yards and two interceptions for Minnesota (1-1), which had just 78 rushing yards. Justin Jefferson caught three passes for 81 yards.

Allgeier scored the game's lone touchdown with under four minutes to play. The Falcons finished with five field goals and the Vikings kicked a pair.

The Falcons led 6-0 at the end of the first quarter.

Former Vikings kicker Parker Romo, who signed with Atlanta after a tryout this week, took full advantage of his first opportunity with his new team. He made a 38-yard field goal with 11:12 left in the first quarter and a 29-yard field goal with 6:48 remaining in the quarter.

Will Reichard joined the action with a 33-yard field goal for the Vikings with 7:06 remaining in the first half.

Romo answered with a 33-yarder to make it 9-3 with 25 seconds left in the half.

The Vikings' offense showed a glimpse of excitement on the next drive. McCarthy connected with Justin Jefferson for a 50-yard completion, which set the stage for a 51-yard kick by Reichard to cut the deficit to 9-6 as time expired in the half.

The second half followed a similar pattern.

Romo made a 33-yard field goal to increase Atlanta's lead to 12-6 with 6:17 remaining in the third quarter. He struck again, this time from 54 yards, to extend the Falcons' advantage to 15-6 with 11:16 left in the game.

Allgeier punched in a 5-yard run to make it 22-6 with 3:22 left. The score capped off a 12-play, 83-yard drive.

Vikings center Ryan Kelly and left tackle Justin Skule each left the game and were placed in concussion protocol, the team announced. Kelly, a four-time Pro Bowl selection, was ruled out at halftime. Skule was ruled out in the fourth quarter.

Atlanta also lost a key starter as cornerback A.J. Terrell hurt his hamstring on a non-contact play in the second quarter and did not return.

--Field Level Media