Vikings running Jerick McKinnon said all week that he’d need to put on a special show for his friends and family from Atlanta when the Vikings faced Atlanta on Sunday.
McKinnon, from nearby Sprayberry, Ga., definitely had something special in mind — and broke it out the minute he squirted out for a 2-yard touchdown catch against the Falcons, the only touchdown by either team in the first half.
Jerick McKinnon breaking out The Dirty Bird after scoring vs. his hometown team. #MINvsATL pic.twitter.com/ruo8Pq1v3A
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) December 3, 2017
McKinnon caught three balls for 18 yards in the first half. The touchdown was set up by a 30-yard romp by Latavius Murray.
The Vikings kept Atlanta out of the end zone, but only cracked the goal line once themselves.
But once was all it took for McKinnon to do his best Jamal Anderson impersonation.
Ben Goessling is in his sixth year covering the Vikings, having joined the Star Tribune in 2017 after four seasons at ESPN and one at the Pioneer Press. He is an Apple Valley High School and University of Minnesota graduate. Follow him at @GoesslingStrib.
Mark Craig has covered the NFL for 23 years, and the Vikings since 2003 for the Star Tribune. He is one of 48 Pro Football Hall of Fame selectors. Follow him at @markcraignfl.
Andrew Krammer joined the Star Tribune in July 2016 after three years covering the Vikings for 1500 ESPN. He is a 2013 graduate of the University of Minnesota. Follow him at @Andrew_Krammer.
Like clockwork: How Cousins came through in Sunday's final minutes
Thielen will miss first game of season, still on COVID list
Mailbag: Will linebacker Wilson stay with Vikings? An Ezra Cleveland question
Guard Dru Samia activated from Vikings' COVID list after positive test
