SID's JOTTINGS
• Vikings coach Mike Zimmer has a lot of respect for the Atlanta Falcons and their offense. "To me, they are extremely explosive," he said this week. "[Quarterback] Matt Ryan is the guy who you always concern yourself with because of his ability to change things at the line of scrimmage. He has a fantastic arm." However, Atlanta's recent struggles have been caused by turnovers. "They've had 18 fumbles, they haven't lost all of those, but they've had 18 fumbles," Zimmer said. "They've had some interceptions, so typically when you get turnovers it's pressure on the quarterback, it's hitting the ball, the second guy in hitting the ball." And the Falcons won't have breakout star Devonta Freeman available, as the running back has been sidelined by a concussion.
• The Vikings rank 10th in the NFL in total defense with 334.9 yards per game, one spot ahead of the Falcons, who are allowing 335.7 yards per game. "They're big up front," Teddy Bridgewater said of the Falcons defense. "They have some playmakers on that defense and those guys are playing well as a unit."
• Vikings offensive coordinator Norv Turner donated 50 pies for Thanksgiving to Joseph's Storehouse in Brooklyn Center, which is run by Rev. Lester Williams and feeds families around the north Minneapolis area.
• The Scottsdale Scorpions claimed the championship in the Arizona Fall League last weekend, beating Surprise 6-4 with five of the Twins' seven prospects contributing in the title game. Outfielder Adam Brett Walker drove in three runs. Taylor Rogers pitched three scoreless innings to start before being relieved by Trevor Hildenberger, who pitched a scoreless fourth inning. Jake Reed had three strikeouts in the eighth inning and Nick Burdi overcame a solo home run to earn the save.
