Post by Purple Pain on Aug 22, 2022 13:01:44 GMT -6
Ragatz: Previewing the Vikings-Packers Opener
Team strengths and weaknesses at the link:
www.si.com/nfl/vikings/news/three-weeks-until-regular-season-previewing-vikings-packers-opener
Packers Question
For all the focus on the receiver corps, it’s a possibility the offensive line is a hot mess. Bakhtiari was on a Hall of Fame trajectory before suffering a torn ACL on Dec. 31, 2020. He played in one game last season and the Packers are crossing their fingers and toes as he tries to make another comeback. Elgton Jenkins, a Pro Bowl guard in 2020 who capably replaced Bakhtiari last year, returned last week following his own ACL injury. Presuming they’re healthy, Green Bay’s line could be really good. But as Bakhtiari’s odyssey demonstrated last year, who knows? And if things go haywire, what could go wrong with Yosh Nijman and Royce Newman blocking Danielle Hunter and Za’Darius Smith? — Huber
Vikings Question
Can Kevin O'Connell hit the ground running as a play caller and head coach? O'Connell doesn't have much experience calling plays in the NFL, as Sean McVay handles those duties for the Rams. The Vikings need him to operate at a high level in that regard right away, because the Packers' defense is going to present a massive challenge. There's a lot of pressure on Kirk Cousins to get the ball to his playmakers and win games at a high rate, something he's only done once in his career (2019). But Cousins is also somewhat of a known commodity as a QB. It's up to O'Connell to put Cousins in positions to succeed, call the right plays, and manage games effectively. That's a lot on the shoulders of a first-time head coach. — Ragatz
Vikings Flavor in Green Bay
No team loves ex-Packers more than the Vikings. The one former Vikings player on the roster, kicker Gabe Brkic, was released last week after a horrendous camp in place of injured Mason Crosby. However, during this year’s NFL Draft, general manager Brian Gutekunst sent his two second-round picks to Minnesota to rocket up to No. 34 overall to select receiver Christian Watson. Watson has an elite combination of height and speed. Once he’s full-go following a minor knee operation, the Packers are counting on him to join Greg Jennings, Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb and Davante Adams in the team’s pantheon of great second-round receivers. — Huber
Packers Flavor in Minnesota
Like Bill mentioned, there are a bunch of revenge game storylines for the Vikings heading into this one. Za'Darius Smith and Chandon Sullivan will be playing against their former team for the first time, and Minnesota will be counting on both to play well. You know Smith is salivating at the opportunity to sack Aaron Rodgers and celebrate with his new best friend Danielle Hunter in front of a raucous U.S. Bank Stadium crowd. It's not just those two players, either. Vikings OLB coach Mike Smith and assistant head coach Mike Pettine are both former Packers coaches who would love to help stymie Rodgers to open the season. — Ragatz
Packers Will Win Because…
Green Bay’s passing game might not be great as it transitions away from Davante Adams, but the Vikings’ secondary might not be very good, either. A high-quality running game should prevent too many third-and-longs — situations that will play into the hands of Minnesota’s pass rush. Meanwhile, the power of Green Bay’s defensive front is going to be hard to handle for any team. The additions of defensive tackle Jarran Reed and first-round linebacker Quay Walker will help bottle up Dalvin Cook, and Rashan Gary, Preston Smith and Kenny Clark will challenge Kirk Cousins’ ability to create too many big plays with premier receiver Justin Jefferson. — Huber
Vikings Will Win Because …
They have the talent to put up points on any defense in the NFL, even a great one like Green Bay's. The ideal scenario is that the Vikings feed off the energy in their home stadium and ride Jefferson and Cook to an early lead. From there, Za'Darius Smith and Danielle Hunter can pin their ears back and go after Rodgers. The Packers' lack of talent at receiver makes the Vikings' weakness at cornerback less important, and the Vikings have the players in the front seven — in addition to the edge rushers, they've got great DTs (Dalvin Tomlinson and Harrison Phillips) and ILBs (Eric Kendricks and Jordan Hicks) — to slow down Green Bay's dangerous Aaron Jones-A.J. Dillon RB duo. Plus, if it comes down to a kick or two, Greg Joseph has had an incredible training camp. — Ragatz
For all the focus on the receiver corps, it’s a possibility the offensive line is a hot mess. Bakhtiari was on a Hall of Fame trajectory before suffering a torn ACL on Dec. 31, 2020. He played in one game last season and the Packers are crossing their fingers and toes as he tries to make another comeback. Elgton Jenkins, a Pro Bowl guard in 2020 who capably replaced Bakhtiari last year, returned last week following his own ACL injury. Presuming they’re healthy, Green Bay’s line could be really good. But as Bakhtiari’s odyssey demonstrated last year, who knows? And if things go haywire, what could go wrong with Yosh Nijman and Royce Newman blocking Danielle Hunter and Za’Darius Smith? — Huber
Vikings Question
Can Kevin O'Connell hit the ground running as a play caller and head coach? O'Connell doesn't have much experience calling plays in the NFL, as Sean McVay handles those duties for the Rams. The Vikings need him to operate at a high level in that regard right away, because the Packers' defense is going to present a massive challenge. There's a lot of pressure on Kirk Cousins to get the ball to his playmakers and win games at a high rate, something he's only done once in his career (2019). But Cousins is also somewhat of a known commodity as a QB. It's up to O'Connell to put Cousins in positions to succeed, call the right plays, and manage games effectively. That's a lot on the shoulders of a first-time head coach. — Ragatz
Vikings Flavor in Green Bay
No team loves ex-Packers more than the Vikings. The one former Vikings player on the roster, kicker Gabe Brkic, was released last week after a horrendous camp in place of injured Mason Crosby. However, during this year’s NFL Draft, general manager Brian Gutekunst sent his two second-round picks to Minnesota to rocket up to No. 34 overall to select receiver Christian Watson. Watson has an elite combination of height and speed. Once he’s full-go following a minor knee operation, the Packers are counting on him to join Greg Jennings, Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb and Davante Adams in the team’s pantheon of great second-round receivers. — Huber
Packers Flavor in Minnesota
Like Bill mentioned, there are a bunch of revenge game storylines for the Vikings heading into this one. Za'Darius Smith and Chandon Sullivan will be playing against their former team for the first time, and Minnesota will be counting on both to play well. You know Smith is salivating at the opportunity to sack Aaron Rodgers and celebrate with his new best friend Danielle Hunter in front of a raucous U.S. Bank Stadium crowd. It's not just those two players, either. Vikings OLB coach Mike Smith and assistant head coach Mike Pettine are both former Packers coaches who would love to help stymie Rodgers to open the season. — Ragatz
Packers Will Win Because…
Green Bay’s passing game might not be great as it transitions away from Davante Adams, but the Vikings’ secondary might not be very good, either. A high-quality running game should prevent too many third-and-longs — situations that will play into the hands of Minnesota’s pass rush. Meanwhile, the power of Green Bay’s defensive front is going to be hard to handle for any team. The additions of defensive tackle Jarran Reed and first-round linebacker Quay Walker will help bottle up Dalvin Cook, and Rashan Gary, Preston Smith and Kenny Clark will challenge Kirk Cousins’ ability to create too many big plays with premier receiver Justin Jefferson. — Huber
Vikings Will Win Because …
They have the talent to put up points on any defense in the NFL, even a great one like Green Bay's. The ideal scenario is that the Vikings feed off the energy in their home stadium and ride Jefferson and Cook to an early lead. From there, Za'Darius Smith and Danielle Hunter can pin their ears back and go after Rodgers. The Packers' lack of talent at receiver makes the Vikings' weakness at cornerback less important, and the Vikings have the players in the front seven — in addition to the edge rushers, they've got great DTs (Dalvin Tomlinson and Harrison Phillips) and ILBs (Eric Kendricks and Jordan Hicks) — to slow down Green Bay's dangerous Aaron Jones-A.J. Dillon RB duo. Plus, if it comes down to a kick or two, Greg Joseph has had an incredible training camp. — Ragatz
Team strengths and weaknesses at the link:
www.si.com/nfl/vikings/news/three-weeks-until-regular-season-previewing-vikings-packers-opener
