The Minnesota Vikings will travel to Wisconsin to face the Green Bay Packers in an NFC North clash in Week 2. Last week, both teams got off on the right foot to start the season at 1-0.
The Vikings won their Week 1 game in an unorthodox manner with Kirk Cousins only attempting 10 passes. Minnesota didn't need Cousins to throw a lot due to the fact that Dalvin Cook was phenomenal on the ground.
Over the offseason, everyone believed that the Vikings needed to utilize Cook more in the offense and they listened. The third-year running back carried it 21 times for a total of 111 yards and two touchdowns on the ground.
The Atlanta Falcons had no answer for Cook and they also were unable to do anything against the Vikings' vicious defense. Matt Ryan and company only managed to score 12 points but were able to accumulate 345 yards of total offense.
This week, Minnesota will be tasked with preventing Aaron Rodgers from picking apart their defense on Sunday. The Packers defeated the Chicago Bears in Week 1 but they only could score 10 points.
With that being said, here are four bold predictions for the Vikings in their Week 2 matchup versus the Packers.
4. Cousins Will Throw for Four Touchdowns
The Vikings were able to get away with not having to throw the ball in Week 1 against the Falcons. Now, this week, they may be forced to throw the ball more often than they'd like in a divisional bout against the Packers.
Last week, Green Bay's refurbished defense held the Bears offense in check to just three points and 46 yards on the ground. Therefore, Cousins better be prepared to throw more than just 10 passes in Week 2.
In Cousins' first season with the Vikings, two of his best games came against the Packers. The veteran signal-caller combined for 767 yards, seven touchdowns, and one interception in both games versus Green Bay in 2018.
Considering that, the Vikings franchise quarterback will continue his success against the Packers in Week 2 by throwing for four touchdowns.
3. Vikings Will Sack Rodgers Six Times
Every time the Vikings face Aaron Rodgers, they seem to constantly find a way to create pressure on the All-Pro quarterback. In both meetings last season, Minnesota was able to bring down Rodgers four times in each game.
Last Sunday, the Vikings defense showed their ability to rush the passer with four sacks on the Falcons. With a talented front seven, Minnesota will be able to sack Rodgers six times in Week 2.
The Packers new-look offense under Matt LaFleur never took off with the amount of pressure that Rodgers saw in Week 1. The former MVP quarterback was visibly frustrated as he was sacked five times by the Bears. This week, the Packers quarterback could be in for another game where he is unable to have ample time to throw.
2. Cook Will Gain Over 175 Yards from Scrimmage
As previously mentioned, the Vikings are making a concerted effort to get Cook heavily involved in their offense. Their plan to utilize him on the ground worked to perfection in Week 1 with the Florida State product gashing the Falcons for 111 yards and two scores.
Along with his rushing ability, Cook is capable of being a receiving threat out of the backfield; despite having just two receptions for nine yards last week. Mike Zimmer's squad is going to need the elusive running back to showcase his dual-threat ability in Week 2.
The Packers have a revamped defense with Preston Smith, Za'Darius Smith, and Adrian Amos. To combat the defense of Green Bay, Minnesota will put the ball in Cook's hands. So much so, that the young running back will gain over 175 yards from scrimmage.
1. Vikings Will Win 34-27
When the Packers and Vikings face each other, the game tends to be a nail-biter in the end. As a matter of fact, both games last year were decided by seven points combined. The first game actually ended in a 29-29 tie that ended up hurting the Vikings.
Division games always seem to matter more in the grand scheme of things with players playing with a little more motivation. Both teams have talented offenses but if Green Bay can repeat their defensive performance from Week 1; they both also have remarkable defenses.
However, both defenses may have some troubles stopping their counterpart on Sunday. The Vikings usually have trouble winning at Lambeau Field but they will prevail over the Packers 34-27 in Week 2.
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