Kevin King has been one of the most frustrating players on the roster for the Green Bay Packers over the past couple of seasons. His injury history is well known, but he may be turning into one of the best players on the Packers' roster in front of our eyes. Against the Minnesota Vikings this week, King showed why he is such a massive X-Factor for the Green Bay defense.
Everyone knows and talks about Jaire Alexander being one of the top young cornerbacks in the NFL. No one has been talking about the talent that King has, but they should be after today's performance.
Kirk Cousins and the Vikings only scored 16 points and it took two huge chunk plays to get them their two touchdowns. Dalvin Cook scored on a 75-yard touchdown run and Cousins found Stefon Diggs for a 45-yard touchdown pass. Outside of those two scores, the Packers found ways to make Minnesota work for everything they got.
Late in the game, Cousins and the Vikings looked to be in position to take the lead deep in the Packers' territory. On a shocking decision from Cousins, King shut the door for Minnesota with a massive interception in the end zone.
Cousins seemed to panic a bit and threw up a jump ball in the end zone for star wide receiver Diggs. King was having none of that and came away with the pick.
Throughout the course of the entire game, King ended up with a tackle, a defended pass, and the game-saving interception. They may not look like huge numbers outside of the interception, but King did an excellent job in coverage all game long. Alexander finally has a legitimate coverage cornerback across from him.
Green Bay's defense has looked like a top unit in the NFL through the first two weeks. King being healthy has been a big part of that. His size, physical play style, and playmaking ability fit perfectly into defensive coordinator Mike Pettine's defensive system and assuming he stays health, the Packers may end up having one of the best cornerback duos in the league.
King has heard a lot of criticism throughout his first three NFL seasons, but that has not phased him. This week, he showed that he is going to be a massive X-Factor for the rest of the Packers' season.