Subscribe
Follow Us
The Green Bay Packers are heading into Week 2 with a big-time NFC North rivalry matchup on the line. For the second straight week, the Packers are playing a big rivalry game, this time against the Minnesota Vikings. Green Bay already took care of the Chicago Bears by a final score of 10-3 last week on the road.
Matt LaFleur is getting welcomed to the NFL with two very difficult games back-to-back. Defeating the Bears to get his first win was a huge step for the Packers, who are in a completely new era of football.
Minnesota is coming off of a big 28-12 victory over the Atlanta Falcons. They looked great on both sides of the ball. Kirk Cousins only had to throw the ball 10 times and racked up 98 yards and a touchdown, while Dalvin Cook picked up 111 yards and two touchdowns on the ground.
Green Bay is going to have their hands full this week. Their pass defense looked elite last week, but they will have to go up against Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs. Jaire Alexander and the Packers' secondary must step up this week if they want to improve to 2-0.
All of that being said, let's dive in and take a look at four reasons the Packers will knock off the Vikings in Week 2.
4. The Pass Rush Will Get To Kirk Cousins Early and Often
One of the big offseason focuses was improving the pass rush and it paid off for the Packers against the Bears. Preston and Za'Darius Smith were both signed to lucrative deals in free agency and they both made an immediate impact. Preston Smith ended up with 1.5 sacks, while Za'Darius Smith had a sack of his own.
Add in the other playmakers like Kenny Clark and Blake Martinez and the Packers have a defense for teams to worry about. Cousins is going to be under pressure all afternoon, which will lead to a key mistake or two.
3. Aaron Rodgers Will Be Better
Aaron Rodgers simply did not look great against the Bears. He completed 18 of his 30 pass attempts for 203 yards, a touchdown, and no interceptions. Those numbers are without question not what the team has become accustomed to from the star quarterback.
Thankfully, it was his first game in the Matt LaFleur offense and he is confident that he look much better in Week 2. Rodgers has the weapons and he is going to put together a much better performance at Lambeau Field this week.
2. Green Bay Has A Legitimate Running Game
Next up, the Packers did not show off their new focus on the ground very well against the Bears. Aaron Jones only picked up 39 yards on 13 carries and Jamaal Williams didn't make an impact. That will change this week, even though the Vikings have a solid defense in their own right.
Jones is going to come out looking to prove a point this week. He may not rush for 100 yards and have a dominating performance, but he is going to do just enough to take pressure off of the aerial attack. LaFleur's running game will make some big plays throughout the course of this game to help seal the win.
1. The Secondary Is Capable of Making Big Plays
As previously mentioned, Jaire Alexander and the Packers are capable of making big plays and need to step up this week against a lethal wide receiver duo. With the pass rush capable of getting to Cousins, Alexander, King, Josh Jackson, Adrian Amos, and Darnell Savage are going to have chances this week.
Mike Pettine is one of the best defensive coordinators in the game and it showed against the Bears. He will dial up a great defensive game plan once again in Week 2. The Vikings are going to put up some numbers, but the Green Bay defense will make enough plays to pull out a big win.,
