Post by Danchat on Dec 21, 2019 21:23:14 GMT -6
The Packers and Vikings will face off a second time on Monday Night football, with some real ramifications at hand. The Vikings would clinch a playoff spot, and the Packers would advance their opportunity to get a 1st round bye. Can the Vikings beat the Packers this time, or will Rodgers & Co. finally get their first win in US Bank Stadium?
* My Thoughts *
Usually I would go on about how Rodgers has the potential to take over a matchup against the Vikings, but this time around, the Vikings should be worried about their running game. That's not to say Rodgers is no longer good, but PFF rates him as just the 11th best QB in football (Cousins is 5th). His numbers have declined as compared to his best years, but there's reasons beyond simple regression. First is that the Packers wield a solid HB duo made up of Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams, who both sport near-elite pass catching grades. Jones has been a menace on the ground in many matchups, and has allowed the Packers to ground and pound as opposed to racking up passing yards. Another reason is that Rodgers' pass-catching corps is very slim. Davante Adams had turf toe but is healthy now, and Allen Lazard has stepped up. That's about it, as Jimmy Graham is simply cooked, Marquez Valdes-Scantling has fallen off the map, and Geronimo Allison has been among the NFL's worst WRs.
The O-line is still strong, however. Bakhtiari is having his first non-elite season since 2015, but is still a quality LT. 2nd round rookie Elgton Jenkins has taken over for the injured LG Lane Taylor, and has been a fine replacement. The rest are fine, though Bulaga may not be quite 100% after suffering an injury a few weeks back.
The Packers defense has been lead by the Smith duo this year, piling up 21.5 sacks. DC Mike Pettine likes to go to 2 D-line packages and use 5 LBs a lot of the time, with Preston at DE and mixing in Fackrell and Gary. The team is built to stop the pass very well, but that's left them vulnerable to running attacks. With so many LBs used in their packages, a strong O-line that can run-block is this defense's weakness. Dean Lowry isn't having the best year, bringing little pass pressure. Montravius Adams was billed as a starter early on, but has fallen behind Tyler Lancaster, a better run defender. Their core run-stuffing LB Blake Martinez has had a poor run stopping grade from PFF this year.
You may have noticed that I included a "dime CB" as a starter, and I did this since the Packers have 6 DBs on the field very frequently. The starting 5 are solid - Jaire Alexander is the top CB who shadows #1 WRs, Kevin King is the #2, Tramon Williams plays the nickel, and Darnell Savage is the deep safety while Amos plays down more frequently as a run defender. Chandon Sullivan and Ibraheim Campbell will mix in as the dime CB / 3rd safety at times. King and Campbell are two guys to target in these situations.
Prediction: Vikings 24, Packers 20
I don't have a great read on this game, but when in doubt, I pick the home team in the Packers-Vikings matchup. The Vikes have yet to lose at home, and usually save their better play for here. Even without Cook, I think the Vikings' offense can improve from their week 2 performance, as the O-line is playing at a much higher level than they were in September. I also think the defense will be due for a good game against Rodgers & Co, especially with Zimmer finally limiting Rhodes' snaps.
Any thoughts?
Injuries
Vikings
HB Dalvin Cook Out
HB Alexander Mattison Questionable
Packers
DE Dean Lowry Questionable
T Yosh Nijman Out
Vikings
HB Dalvin Cook Out
HB Alexander Mattison Questionable
Packers
DE Dean Lowry Questionable
T Yosh Nijman Out
* My Thoughts *
Usually I would go on about how Rodgers has the potential to take over a matchup against the Vikings, but this time around, the Vikings should be worried about their running game. That's not to say Rodgers is no longer good, but PFF rates him as just the 11th best QB in football (Cousins is 5th). His numbers have declined as compared to his best years, but there's reasons beyond simple regression. First is that the Packers wield a solid HB duo made up of Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams, who both sport near-elite pass catching grades. Jones has been a menace on the ground in many matchups, and has allowed the Packers to ground and pound as opposed to racking up passing yards. Another reason is that Rodgers' pass-catching corps is very slim. Davante Adams had turf toe but is healthy now, and Allen Lazard has stepped up. That's about it, as Jimmy Graham is simply cooked, Marquez Valdes-Scantling has fallen off the map, and Geronimo Allison has been among the NFL's worst WRs.
The O-line is still strong, however. Bakhtiari is having his first non-elite season since 2015, but is still a quality LT. 2nd round rookie Elgton Jenkins has taken over for the injured LG Lane Taylor, and has been a fine replacement. The rest are fine, though Bulaga may not be quite 100% after suffering an injury a few weeks back.
The Packers defense has been lead by the Smith duo this year, piling up 21.5 sacks. DC Mike Pettine likes to go to 2 D-line packages and use 5 LBs a lot of the time, with Preston at DE and mixing in Fackrell and Gary. The team is built to stop the pass very well, but that's left them vulnerable to running attacks. With so many LBs used in their packages, a strong O-line that can run-block is this defense's weakness. Dean Lowry isn't having the best year, bringing little pass pressure. Montravius Adams was billed as a starter early on, but has fallen behind Tyler Lancaster, a better run defender. Their core run-stuffing LB Blake Martinez has had a poor run stopping grade from PFF this year.
You may have noticed that I included a "dime CB" as a starter, and I did this since the Packers have 6 DBs on the field very frequently. The starting 5 are solid - Jaire Alexander is the top CB who shadows #1 WRs, Kevin King is the #2, Tramon Williams plays the nickel, and Darnell Savage is the deep safety while Amos plays down more frequently as a run defender. Chandon Sullivan and Ibraheim Campbell will mix in as the dime CB / 3rd safety at times. King and Campbell are two guys to target in these situations.
Prediction: Vikings 24, Packers 20
I don't have a great read on this game, but when in doubt, I pick the home team in the Packers-Vikings matchup. The Vikes have yet to lose at home, and usually save their better play for here. Even without Cook, I think the Vikings' offense can improve from their week 2 performance, as the O-line is playing at a much higher level than they were in September. I also think the defense will be due for a good game against Rodgers & Co, especially with Zimmer finally limiting Rhodes' snaps.
Any thoughts?
... and neither is this Chris guy.