Star quarterback Michael Vick has been suspended indefinitely by the NFL and is awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty to federal dogfighting charges.

New starter Joey Harrington has a 23-43 career record and running back Warrick Dunn played in only one of four exhibition games after undergoing surgery in late July to repair a herniated disk in his lower back.

Yes, the Atlanta Falcons have some issues heading into the season opener Sunday at the Metrodome, but the Vikings say there's no way they're going to take this game or opponent lightly.

A lot of people might have written off Atlanta, but the Vikings aren't buying it, Vick or no Vick.

"We can't worry about that," defensive tackle Pat Williams said after Thursday night's exhibition finale against Dallas. "That's their problem. We've got to worry about our own problems. Whatever they've got going on over there, they've got to worry about that. We're not."

Even without Vick, Williams said the Falcons have some dangerous weapons in Dunn and tight end Alge Crumpler. Crumpler earned his fourth consecutive Pro Bowl berth last season by leading the Falcons with 56 receptions, 780 yards receiving and eight touchdowns.

Add in a new offense and new coach Bobby Petrino, and linebacker Ben Leber said the Vikings' defense will have its hands full.

"Alge Crumpler is a good tight end," he said. "He can get out and stretch the field and do some damage. The thing is, you don't really know what they're going to look like with the new coaching staff. We might have to break down some Louisville film just to see what the play calling's like."

Petrino was known for running a wide-open, quarterback-friendly offense at Louisville and he has tailored it this summer to better fit Harrington's skills.

Considering the quarterback's 1-6 career mark against the Vikings, that might sound like an oxymoron, but the Falcons went 3-1 in exhibition play and Leber said he and his teammates don't expect them to roll over just because they don't have Vick in the lineup.

"Good or bad, you can't listen to media hype or whatever," he said. "We're going to approach them like it's a playoff game. It's a must win for us. Our goal for this year is to be undefeated at home, and it starts right here."

Speaking for the offense, guard Artis Hicks said the Falcons will have the Vikings' full attention this week.

"I don't care if it's Atlanta or the University of Cincinnati," Hicks said. "If you overlook anybody on any given day, you will get your (butt) beat and you will get embarrassed. So we can't afford to do that. I don't care who it is we're playing. I don't know much about what is going on in Atlanta, but I know if we don't take care of what we have to, then Atlanta could come and do what they want to do with us."

With a Pro Bowl cornerback in DeAngelo Hall and No. 1 draft choice Jamaal Anderson joining John Abraham at defensive end, the Falcons' defense has the potential make it a long opening day for quarterback Tarvaris Jackson and the Vikings' offense.

Minnesota's defense could represent an even bigger challenge, though, for Harrington, coming off an exhibition season in which it forced 14 turnovers and scored four touchdowns.

The defense has a new coordinator in Leslie Frazier, but the Vikings seem to have picked up right where they left off last season, when they ranked No. 1 in the NFL against the run, while balancing things out with an improved pass defense.

"Last year we put a lot of pressure on our secondary because we didn't have enough sacks," Williams said. "This year we've focused on getting off and getting pressure with our front four, and I think it's a whole lot better."

So does Leber, who said the defense is primed for a big season and eager to start playing for keeps.

"I think we're all ready to go," he said. "We've been at this for a month now. If you're not ready yet, then it's kind of on you."