The Minnesota Vikings make their first appearance at the Georgia Dome since 1996 in this rematch of last season's NFC title tilt.

Including playoffs, Vikings have nearly doubled the Falcons' victory total in this rivalry (13-7), but came up on the short end of a thrilling 30-27 overtime decision at the Metrodome in the 1998 NFC Championship Game in the last encounter between the clubs.

Vikings have prevailed in their last 2 road tilts in this series and are 4-5 lifetime in Atlanta (3-5 at Fulton County Stadium, 1-0 at the Georgia Dome), their lone previous visit to the Falcons' current home resulting in a 23-17 triumph in 1996.

Numbers: In 17 games in '98 (including playoffs), Vikings' QB Randall Cunningham was 14-2 as a starter, throwing 39 touchdown passes and just 11 interceptions in his 17 appearances. Vikings' WR Cris Carter has scored at least 1 touchdown in 3 straight games and 25 of his last 37 regular-season contests dating back to '96. In 18 games in '98 (including playoffs), Vikings' WR Randy Moss totaled 19 touchdown receptions, his scores covering 48, 31, 5, 44, 52, 44, 61, 49, 51, 56, 56, 6, 3, 34, 17, 43, 5, 2 and 31 yards. Moss has totaled 638 yards on his 19 TD receptions, an average of 33.6 yards per touchdown catch. Moss has scored at least 1 touchdown in 9 straight games, scoring 13 touchdowns in those contests. Including playoffs, the Vikings scored 66 offensive touchdowns in 18 games in '98 (1,513 yards), averaging 22.9 yards per TD play, with 18 of those 66 scores covering 40 or more yards (12 from 50-plus yards). Including returns, Vikings scored 72 touchdowns in 18 games this season (1,885), averaging 26.2 yards per TD play, with 23 of those 72 scores covering 40 or more yards (17 from 50-plus yards). The Vikings scored 24 or more points in 18 straight games dating back to '98, including playoffs. In 18 games in '98 (including playoffs), Vikings outscored the opposition a combined 149-57 in the first quarter.

Including playoffs, the Falcons' RB Jamal Anderson has rushed for 100 or more yards in 13 of his last 17 contests dating back to '98. The Falcons scored 469 points in 16 wins (29.3 PPG), but just 42 points in 3 losses (14.0 PPG) in '98, including playoffs...Including playoffs, the Falcons have limited the opposition to fewer than 100 yards rushing in 8 of their last 12 contests and to fewer than 250 yards of total offense in 6 of their last 12 contests dating back to '98.

Things To Look For: Following last year's incredible showing, many expect the Vikings to waltz through the NFC and end their season in the same building they'll start it in. Dennis Green's club is again loaded on offense and could get the job done even if the defense continues to be inconsistent. But if they think the Falcons' victory this past January was really a fluke, they might be in for another surprise.

Etc.: The Vikings have won three straight games on opening day dating back to 1996. Vikings' PK Gary Anderson has connected on an NFL-record 40 consecutive field goals attempts dating back to '97 (with San Francisco)...Vikings have won 8 straight games dating back to '98.

The Falcons have won nine straight games dating back to '98. Including playoffs, the Falcons are 22-9 with QB Chris Chandler as the starter while Falcons' backup quarterbacks are 1-3 dating back to '97. Chandler has thrown at least 1 touchdown pass in 26 straight games dating back to '97. The Falcons have won 11 straight home games dating back to '97, including playoffs. Falcons' PK Morten Andersen has scored at least 1 point in an NFL-record 238 straight games.