Members of the Pioneer Press sports staff who cover the Vikings forecast today’s game against the Atlanta Falcons at U.S. Bank Stadium:

DANE MIZUTANI

Vikings 31, Falcons 17: Kirk Cousins is falling apart in real time and the Vikings will take advantage of that this weekend. All hail Sam Darnold!

JOHN SHIPLEY

Vikings 22, Falcons 19: Like just about every Vikings game has been this season, this one seems likely to be tighter than maybe expected. But it’s also hard to imagine Kirk Cousins rising to the occasion.

CHARLEY WALTERS

Vikings 30, Falcons 17: With QB Kirk Cousins under center in Minnesota last season, the Vikings were 4-4. Now in Atlanta, the Falcons are 6-6. People are generally as good as their records. Cousins: Mediocre.