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NFC Game Of The Week
Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers
Vikings: I’ve been wrong about them for three consecutive weeks. When J.J. McCarthy went down, everyone through the towel in on them and we all anticipated for it to be another long season in Minneapolis. They handled the New York Giants in week one (shocker), but it was week two that really shocked me. I saw them play the San Francisco 49ers last year on a Monday night and they punched them in the mouth. The same thing happened a few weeks ago when the 9ers came back to Minnesota which leads me to say my phrase: The bully doesn’t like to be bullied, meaning when you give a physical team a taste of their own medicine. Week three told me to pay closer attention to them. Against the Houston Texans, the Vikings beat them in each phase of the game. They won the line of scrimmage and had balance as an offense, but what truly stood out to me was the defense and how they disguised their looks against C.J. Stroud. Sometimes, they rushed three, kept the spy in the middle, and dropped everyone else in coverage, or they’d get home with a four-man rush, but either way, they knocked C.J. off his spot and disrupted his time. The Minnesota Vikings are 3-0. Who saw this coming? I want to discuss Sam Darnold and just speak on how proud I am of him. There was a time when he was being labeled as a bust. I truly believe coaching does wonders in this sport and look what he’s been able to accomplish so far with Kevin O’Connell who’s become one of the best offensive minds in our league. This team is clicking on all cylinders right now. This Sunday, they will make their annual trip to Green Bay.
Packers: This is my pick to come out of the NFC and get to the Super Bowl. I saw how they were climbing that ladder last year. Jordan Love took everyone by storm, they have young Wide Receivers and defensively, they can be a strong unit if they’re consistent. When Jordan injured his knee in week one, I didn’t know which direction they’d go in. In the off-season, they did sign Malik Willis as a backup and since taking the field, he’s won these last two games. I always say when a key player is hurt, you see more of who the Head Coach is. Jordan’s absence has shown us just how good of a coach and play-caller Matt LaFleur is. You’ll never be able to coach a guy replacing Jordan the way you’d coach number 10. Instead, Matt has simplified the playbook and catered to Malik’s strengths. It’s been many quick passes, screens, Quarterback sneaks and he’s been able to throw with a moving pocket. Also, when Jordan went down, I just knew they’d lean on the running game a lot more and the off-season signing of Josh Jacobs is looking more and more like a golden move. My biggest takeaway from the Packers’ win in Nashville was the defense and how aggressive they were. They got home and sacked Will Levis a total of eight times and intercepted him two times. A new Defensive Coordinator calls for a change in philosophy and I’ve seen a more aggressive approach from the Green Bay defense. They don’t need to rush Jordan Love back in my opinion. Let that knee get back to 100 percent and have him back when he’s ready. Green Bay returns home this Sunday.
Vikings X-Factor: Aaron Jones– The former Packer himself returns to Lambeau, this time as a visitor. Sam Darnold is questionable with a knee injury and if he can’t go, this is who the Vikings need to build their offensive attack around. Aaron knows how this Packers defense works and I’m sure he’ll be a key voice in all game plans this week. When the Packers released him, he signed with the Vikings because they had what many other teams couldn’t offer which was two games a year against his former team. He’ll look to get his revenge on Sunday.
Packers X-Factor: Xavier McKinney– I’ve enjoyed the energy he’s added to this Green Bay defense. Xavier always appears to find himself around the ball, but he also finds himself forcing the Quarterback to throw the ball sooner than they want. He’s an aggressive safety who’s always looking to make the best possible play. The Packers have been looking for consistency at Safety since the days of Nick Collins. If Xavier pans out, they’ll have that match.
Final Thoughts: These two have quite a history against one another. Bragging rights are always on the line when these two meet up. Aaron Jones will return to Lambeau for the first time since signing with the Vikings. Again, I wouldn’t rush Jordan Love back for this game. You must be smart with him and let him get that knee back to full strength because if you rush him back so quickly, there’s a strong possibility he will get hurt again. If I’m the Packers, this offense will continue to run through Josh Jacobs. The matchup to watch in this game is Justin Jefferson with Jaire Alexander lined up on him. Those two will battle throughout the game without question. With a win, Minnesota has a chance to take command of the NFC North. If Jordan does indeed play, Brian Flores will take advantage of that limited mobility and test that knee each chance he can. Matt LaFleur’s offensive play calling against Brian’s defensive scheme should be fun to watch. I’m picking the Lambeau faithful at home. The
Packers will keep rolling.
Prediction: Packers 23, Vikings 21
