The Minnesota Vikings are fresh off an 8-7-1 season in 2018 in which they missed the playoffs, merely a year removed from losing in the NFC Championship Game. They return largely the same roster to an improved NFC North as the Vikings look to reclaim their spot among the NFC elites.

The Atlanta Falcons are coming off a 7-9 season in 2018, merely two years removed from losing in the Super Bowl. They return largely the same roster to a loaded NFC South as the Falcons try to reclaim their spot among the NFC elites.

Sensing a pattern here? As the NFL season opens up, the Vikings and Falcons are in very similar positions heading into 2019. They face off at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minnesota to kick off the season. Plenty of eyes will be glued to the matchup.

Here are four bold predictions for Falcons-Vikings:

4 – Adam Thielen big performance

At least 10 catches, 120+ yards and multiple TDs are not out of the realm of possibility. Thielen will remind everyone that he is in the upper echelon of a star-studded position and terrorize the Falcons' secondary. Kirk Cousins will have his eyes downfield and have plenty of targets with Thielen, Kyle Rudolph and Stefon Diggs fighting for open space. I see Thielen having a statement performance that will leave a lasting reminder in the heads of defensive backs around the league.

3 – Devonta Freeman 2 TDs

Really, any performance better than 6 carries for 36 yards will serve as a good performance in Week 1 for Freeman. The franchise's eighth-leading rusher was injured in Week 1 of last year and appeared in one more game the rest of the season. Freeman and the Falcons will be eager to forget about 2018 and start anew against the Vikings. Freeman will put up two touchdowns against the 15th-ranked rush defense  from 2018. It will lead to another huge year that will vault the running back up the all-time Falcons rankings lis.

2 – A kicker misses a game-tying kick

This game will have a close finish marked by a fourth-quarter field goal attempt. Not to step on the fourth bold prediction, but I see Kirk Cousins trying to lead a drive downfield with the Vikings down by three. Dan Bailey, one of the most accurate kickers this decade, will have a kick to even up the score and get the fans in a tizzy for overtime. Bailey is going to miss a 50-yarder and the Vikings will have to deal with another huge missed field goal.

1 – Falcons 31, Vikings 28

Matt Ryan, Julio Jones and Devonta Freeman provide enough offense while the defense barely hangs on. Keanu Neal's return to the team provides a huge spark. The Takkarist McKinley-Vice Beasley Jr. duo will get four combined sacks as Kirk Cousins faces pressure all day. Dalvin Cook and Thielen have big days, but the Vikings' defense won't keep up with the Falcons' offense. Atlanta leaves Minnesota with a huge Week 1 win. The Falcons will take a big step toward reclaiming their place as an NFC playoff team, while the Vikings will have to go back to square one and find better solutions on defense.