Falcons’ defense catered to pressure early, piling five sacks in the first half, but A.J. Terrell’s non-contact hamstring injury in the second quarter forced a rapid shift. Dee Alford steps into Terrell’s workload, testing Atlanta’s coverage as J.J. McCarthy uncorked a 50-yard connection to Justin Jefferson to spark a late Vikings drive. Atlanta answered to start the third, yet Terrell’s absence casts a shadow over future matchups as depth and blitz timing become pivotal.