The Green Bay Packers (2-4) are back at Lambeau Field for a divisional matchup vs. The Minnesota Vikings (3-4). The Vikings are coming off their biggest win of the season, defeating the San Fransisco 49ers 22-17. The Packers are coming off an underwhelming performance and loss to the Denver Broncos.
The Packers have dropped three games in a row now, while the Vikings have won two in a row. Both teams are looking for a win to stay alive in the NFC North.
Here are some of the biggest pregame storylines for the Packers week two matchup against the Vikings.
Can the Green Bay Packers Slow Down a Surging Kirk Cousins?
Kirk Cousins is having an incredible year. Cousins is on pace for 4,996 yards and 39 touchdowns. He had lost his best receiver, Justin Jefferson, a few weeks ago to a hamstring injury, but it has not slowed him down. Against the 49ers, rookie Jordan Addison stepped up for a huge day. Addison finished with seven receptions, 123 yards, and two touchdowns.
Matt Lafluer, Cousins coach when he played for the Washington Redskins (now Commanders), had this to say.
“He’s always been severely underrated. He’s one of the top quarterbacks in the game, and I think he’s playing like it.”
Jaire Alexander was limited in one practice and sat out the next. He will be needed for this game. The Broncos had picked on backup Carrington Valentine for most of the last game. Eric Stokes and Darnell Savage have gone on the IR; everyone must step up to slow down this passing attack.
It’s Time for the Green Bay Packers to Start Fast
There are no excuses why this team can’t score in the first half, especially in the second quarter. It has now been four games since the Packers have scored a single point in the second quarter. Every guy on the offense gets paid and has a job to do.
The Packers are the worst team in the league for points in the first half, averaging 4.3. They have averaged just two points in the first half in the last three games. The odd part of this stat is that the Packers are the second-half’s highest-scoring team in the NFL. None of the points came during garbage time, and outside of the Lions game, they have had a fourth-quarter lead.
Matt Lafluer must find a way to get points on the board quicker and get the offense up in a positive game script.
How Will the Offense Handle the Vikings Blitz?
Brian Flores and the Minnesota Vikings blitz at an absurd rate. Per PFF, the Vikings blitz more than 50% of dropbacks. They are only averaging 2.7 sacks per game, though. The offensive line must be prepared for creative blitzes.
Jordan Love and the offense will need a game plan to get the ball out quickly and utilize the middle of the field. Love’s strength is attacking the middle of the field, something they have gotten away from lately. With the Vikings blitz rate, taking care of the ball will be crucial.
The first start of Jordan Love’s young career came against the Chiefs in 2021. In that game, Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo blitzed Love almost every dropback. Lafluer did not have a plan for it, and the Green Bay Packers fell 7-13 to the Chiefs.
It may get old hearing about it now, but the Packers need to establish the run. This team is a run-first team with it setting up the play action. Against the Broncos, when the Packers used play action, Love went 9-9 for 90 yards and two touchdowns.
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