ATLANTA — Jerick McKinnon was an elementary school kid in an Atlanta suburb when he learned the "Dirty Bird" touchdown celebration, so of course he nodded to its creator after the Vikings' 14-9 win over the Falcons on Sunday.
"I give myself an 'A,' " McKinnon said. "I don't know what y'all think. That's the Jamal Anderson 'Dirty Bird.' "
Safe to assume McKinnon won the bragging rights over his many family and friends in attendance at Mercedes-Benz Stadium when he scored the game's first touchdown — a 2-yard catch — on a nine-play drive dominated by Vikings running backs.
In total, Vikings backs accounted for more than half of Minnesota's 312 yards on Sunday.
"Dream come true," McKinnon said.
Other than McKinnon's celebration, this one wasn't pretty. The Vikings' streak of 400-yard games ended. And tight end David Morgan, the group's best blocker, was knocked out of the game on the first drive with a concussion.
But the Vikings held firm with a game plan seemingly focused on bulking up with multiple tight ends, fullback C.J. Ham and running the ball. Tight end Blake Bell stepped into Morgan's role and played a season-high 21 snaps.
"He stepped up huge today," tight end Kyle Rudolph said. "We didn't have to get out of anything we practiced all week. Both him and C.J. played great for us today in extended roles."
