Post by Danchat on Oct 28, 2023 11:41:03 GMT -6
The season is back on track with a huge win against the 49ers. The Vikings can assert themselves back in the playoff race with by beating the Packers, or confirm that last week was a fluke. Let's see how this Rodgers-less team stacks up:
Line: Vikings -1
Super Sim Calculated Line: PUSH
Injury Report
Vikings
LB Asamoah - Out
HB Nwangwu - Questionable
LG Cleveland - Questionable
Packers
TE Musgrave - Questionable
C Myers - Questionable
CB Alexander - Questionable
LB Campbell - Questionable
*My Thoughts*
The Packers look better than expected, but aren't exactly playing up to their talent level. Part of this is because of the drop-off at QB - Rodgers had already taken a step down in 2022, but Love has been a big disappointment thus far. Like I had seen in his college film, his accuracy is too unreliable. He loves to take deep shots, but rarely ever hits on them. Another issue is his receivers, which top out at average at best. Watson has been injured again and has started slow out of the gate with just 8 catches, while rookie Musgrave at TE is banged up and likely a year or two away from breaking out. Doubs is a nice possession receiver but not anything special. Rookie Reed has been decently effective and is averaging over 14 yards a catch.
The running game hasn't gotten going with Jones hampered by a hammy issue, and Dillon has not lived up to his "Good" rating with a disgusting 3.2 YPC. The whole plan for the offense was to center around the running game, but they've been forced to pass more than they like. The OL has also had some issues but has some bright points as well. With Bahktiari going down yet again, 2022 7th rounder Rasheed Walker has stepped in and held up OK, with a much better pass protection grade. On the other side, RT Zach Tom has broken out as one of the better RTs in the league despite being a 4th round pick. LG Jenkins has been banged up and hasn't played quite as well as he once had, but once fully healthy he will be good again. RG Runyan Jr is about as average as you can get, which is fine at guard. C Myers has been an inverse Garrett Bradbury - consistently good pass protector, but a horrible run blocker going on 3 years now.
Defensively, this unit has a lot of talent but they are getting gashed in the run game. Clark is playing by far his worst football (despite only being 28), and he's no longer a force as a pass rusher and run stopper. Thankfully, 2022 1st rounder Wyatt has stepped up and is beginning to make a difference. NT Slaton is fine. When it comes to pass rushers, Rashan Gary has been fantastic, especially since he's only playing 25 snaps a game. Preston Smith is beginning to decline but is still a passable starter. 1st rounder Van Ness hasn't factored in much and is behind Engabare, who has not been efficient so far. The LB duo is decent, but Campbell has been injured most of the season and Walker is beginning to play better after a bad rookie year.
This is quietly one of the best CB rooms in football, even with Eric Stokes hitting the IR. Alexander is a top 5 CB and helped completely shut down Jefferson last time we played. Rasul Douglas is one of the most underrated players in the NFL and has lately been graded even higher than Alexander, as he only gives up 27 yards per game in coverage. Nickel CB Nixon is having a rough year. SS Darnell Savage just hit the IR, which could be a problem as Owens' experience with the Texans comprised of making a buttload of tackles because he could not coverage whatsoever. Rudy Ford has turned into a quality starter after appearing to be a decent special teamer.
Prediction: Packers 17, Vikings 16
I hate to predict this, but my gut instinct is to predict an easy Vikings win. However, my gut has been usually wrong during the O'Connell era - if only it could get as easy as it was in the Zimmer era where we always beat the bad teams and lost to the good ones. Regardless, I think the Packers' defense will put up more resistance than the 49ers' did and our receivers will have a tough time getting open. While the Vikings can shut down the Packers' run game, I think they will just eek out enough offense to win this one and disappoint us all. Prove me wrong!
Any thoughts?
Line: Vikings -1
Super Sim Calculated Line: PUSH
Injury Report
Vikings
LB Asamoah - Out
HB Nwangwu - Questionable
LG Cleveland - Questionable
Packers
TE Musgrave - Questionable
C Myers - Questionable
CB Alexander - Questionable
LB Campbell - Questionable
*My Thoughts*
The Packers look better than expected, but aren't exactly playing up to their talent level. Part of this is because of the drop-off at QB - Rodgers had already taken a step down in 2022, but Love has been a big disappointment thus far. Like I had seen in his college film, his accuracy is too unreliable. He loves to take deep shots, but rarely ever hits on them. Another issue is his receivers, which top out at average at best. Watson has been injured again and has started slow out of the gate with just 8 catches, while rookie Musgrave at TE is banged up and likely a year or two away from breaking out. Doubs is a nice possession receiver but not anything special. Rookie Reed has been decently effective and is averaging over 14 yards a catch.
The running game hasn't gotten going with Jones hampered by a hammy issue, and Dillon has not lived up to his "Good" rating with a disgusting 3.2 YPC. The whole plan for the offense was to center around the running game, but they've been forced to pass more than they like. The OL has also had some issues but has some bright points as well. With Bahktiari going down yet again, 2022 7th rounder Rasheed Walker has stepped in and held up OK, with a much better pass protection grade. On the other side, RT Zach Tom has broken out as one of the better RTs in the league despite being a 4th round pick. LG Jenkins has been banged up and hasn't played quite as well as he once had, but once fully healthy he will be good again. RG Runyan Jr is about as average as you can get, which is fine at guard. C Myers has been an inverse Garrett Bradbury - consistently good pass protector, but a horrible run blocker going on 3 years now.
Defensively, this unit has a lot of talent but they are getting gashed in the run game. Clark is playing by far his worst football (despite only being 28), and he's no longer a force as a pass rusher and run stopper. Thankfully, 2022 1st rounder Wyatt has stepped up and is beginning to make a difference. NT Slaton is fine. When it comes to pass rushers, Rashan Gary has been fantastic, especially since he's only playing 25 snaps a game. Preston Smith is beginning to decline but is still a passable starter. 1st rounder Van Ness hasn't factored in much and is behind Engabare, who has not been efficient so far. The LB duo is decent, but Campbell has been injured most of the season and Walker is beginning to play better after a bad rookie year.
This is quietly one of the best CB rooms in football, even with Eric Stokes hitting the IR. Alexander is a top 5 CB and helped completely shut down Jefferson last time we played. Rasul Douglas is one of the most underrated players in the NFL and has lately been graded even higher than Alexander, as he only gives up 27 yards per game in coverage. Nickel CB Nixon is having a rough year. SS Darnell Savage just hit the IR, which could be a problem as Owens' experience with the Texans comprised of making a buttload of tackles because he could not coverage whatsoever. Rudy Ford has turned into a quality starter after appearing to be a decent special teamer.
Prediction: Packers 17, Vikings 16
I hate to predict this, but my gut instinct is to predict an easy Vikings win. However, my gut has been usually wrong during the O'Connell era - if only it could get as easy as it was in the Zimmer era where we always beat the bad teams and lost to the good ones. Regardless, I think the Packers' defense will put up more resistance than the 49ers' did and our receivers will have a tough time getting open. While the Vikings can shut down the Packers' run game, I think they will just eek out enough offense to win this one and disappoint us all. Prove me wrong!
Any thoughts?
This is a betrayal!
... and neither is this Chris guy.