The Atlanta Falcons and Minnesota Vikings have entered this season in an eerily similar place, as they prepare to play each other in the opener.

The teams will kickoff Sunday in the Twin Cities at noon.

For all the common threads between the two teams, the strongest one lies with their defensive-minded head coaches Dan Quinn and Mike Zimmer. Quinn and Zimmer are trying to lead their teams back to the playoffs after disappointing years and calling the plays for experienced defenses in a critical season for their job status.