Sunday Mirror

Freeman racing at 100mph

- BY KEITH WEBSTER

DEVONTA FREEMAN will put his foot to the floor in an effort to drive Atlanta back to the Super Bowl.

The Falcons’ running back scored the opening touchdown as Atlanta took a 28-3 lead in last season’s final only to lose in overtime against New England.

Freeman has missed the last two and a half games after picking up his second concussion in three months.

But he will return tonight at full speed against the Minnesota Vikings (Sky Sports Action, 5.30pm) with the Falcons in good shape for a return to the big one on February 4.

Freeman said: “I’m excited just to be back out here and be in the mix.

“I’m going to be the same guy when I get back out on the field, still have fun.

“We’re going all gas, no brakes, 100 miles per hour. It’s all go.”

Atlanta won the clash against Dallas when Freeman was knocked out and also the subsequent games that he missed.

Coach Dan Quinn knows however that having his star performer back is a boost, especially with the playoffs just a month away.

Quinn said: “We’re pumped to have ‘Free’ back. He plays so physical.

“Football fuels him in a lot of ways so for his competitiv­eness, for the energy he brings to the team, he is champing at the bit to get going.”

Atlanta desperatel­y need a win against a Vikings side on a seven-game winning streak. Victory for the Falcons will keep them in touch with New Orleans and Carolina in the NFC South division. The Saints and Panthers clash on Sky Sports Action at 9pm. REPLACEMEN­TS: ALEX WALMSLEY TOM BURGESS CHRIS HEIGHINGTO­N JONNY LOMAX Billy Slater Dane Gagai Will Chambers Josh Dugan Valentine Holmes Michael Morgan Cooper Cronk Aaron Woods Cameron Smith (C) David Klemmer Boyd Cordner (MOTM) Matt Gillett Josh McGuire REPLACEMEN­TS Wade Graham Jordan McLean Reagan Campbell-Gillard Tyson Frizell 7 7 7 8 6 8 8 7 8 7 8 7 8

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