HERO

The Falcons defense. When a team forces seven fumbles, recovering four, leading to 10 points, we can't single out one player. Big play after big play on defense led to this victory. Also, when you hold the NFL's leading rusher Adrian Peterson to 76 yards, credit is deserved all around.

GOAT

Tarvaris Jackson and Adrian Peterson. The Vikings quarterback and running back made the costly turnovers. Three fumbles in the first half --- one by Jackson, one by Peterson --- came in Falcons territory, killing drives.

KEY PLAY

It came early, but it set the tone for a mistake-ridden day by the Vikings. After each team scored on its opening drive, the Vikings forced the Falcons to punt after three plays. Bernard Berrian muffed the punt at the Falcons' 22-yard line, and Michael Boley recovered. Five plays later the Falcons scored a touchdown to take the lead for good.

KEY CALL

Falcons defensive coordinator Brian Van Gorder dialed up a big blitz as the Vikings faced a fourth-and-16 with 56 seconds left. A rattled Jackson overthrew an open Sidney Rice to kill the last hope.

KEY STAT

Turnovers kill. The Vikings outgained the Falcons in total yards 350-222, in rushing 155-98 and in passing 195-124. Didn't matter when they kept turning the ball over.

BIG HIT

Kindel Moorehead caused one of Jackson's fumbles. On the opening drive of the second half, the Vikings had the ball deep in Falcons territory, first-and-10 from the 16-yard line. Moorehead came up the middle and knocked the ball from Jackson. The ball shot backward, and by the time Chauncey Davis recovered, the Falcons had the ball at their 46-yard line.

THREE THINGS WE LEARNED

1. The Falcons will be on the road for the playoffs, but anyone remember what the Giants did last year away from home? Won the Super Bowl is all. The Falcons have proven they can win on the road.

2. Speaking of that, does playing the Cardinals or Vikings/Bears scare you? No.

3. Every time you figured the Falcons would find a way to lose, like they had so often in the recent past, they found a way to win. Talk about a change in culture.