The Green Bay Packers and the Minnesota Vikings face off on Monday Night Football in a game that could decide the NFC North. The Vikings are the favored team and for good reason.
Let's break down four reasons the home squad is going to come away with a win on Monday night.
4. Series history
A lot of times, series history doesn't play a whole lot into a game, but when the game is close at the end, it's something that can creep into the back of players' minds. The Packers have played three games at US Bank Stadium and they have lost all three of the games. Last year when these two teams faced off, it wasn't the best game for Aaron Rodgers, who threw for only 198 yards and a touchdown. He was also sacked four times.
If things go bad early in this game, thoughts are going to start to creep into the Packers minds and it's going to cause some issues. To go along with that, the crowd should be extra rowdy for this game and are going to be causing some issues.
3. Depth
The Vikings have a lot of depth at key positions, especially on offense. It looks like running back Dalvin Cook is going to miss the game, and there is a chance that backup Alexander Mattison might also miss the game. The good news for the Vikings is they have Mike Boone, who hasn't gotten a lot of run this year, but when he is in the game, he has played well.
In the Vikings' last game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Boone ran the ball 13 times for 56 yards and two touchdowns. He is going to be in a great spot to have another big game.
2. Vikings defensive ends
Article Continues BelowThe Vikings' defensive ends led by Danielle Hunter are going to be a big issue for the Packers' offensive line to slow down. Hunter had a sack the first time these two teams faced off, and he should at a minimum reach that number again. On the season, Hunter already has 13.5 sacks and he's not someone that can really be double-teamed.
If the Packers do double team him, it's going to open up rush lanes for the rest of the guys to get pressure on Rodgers.
1. Kirk Cousins
Kirk Cousins wasn't great last year for the Vikings, but one game he did have a lot of success in was against the Packers where he threw for 342 yards and three touchdowns.
Cousins is playing amazing football right now, and there is no reason he can't have an elite game in this one. On the season, the Packers are giving up 239.9 yards per game through the air, which is 20th in football. Even though the Bears lost, Mitchell Trubisky is coming off a game where he threw for 334 yards.
The one thing that hurt Trubisky was turnovers, which is something that Cousins has had no issues with. Cousins is going to have a big game and win his first game ever on Monday Night Football.