Vikings at Packers Depth Chart Preview - 2024
Sept 28, 2024 15:10:15 GMT -6
Funkytown and FSUVike like this
Post by Danchat on Sept 28, 2024 15:10:15 GMT -6
The Vikings have shocked the NFL by laying a beatdown on the Texans and starting the year 3-0. Can they continue this momentum and shut down the Packers as well?
Injury Report
Packers
CB Alexander - Questionable
QB Love - Questionable
RG Morgan - Out
CB Valentine - Doubtful
Vikings
ILB Pace Jr. - Out
Point Spread: Packers -3
SuperSim Calculated line with Willis starting: MIN -2, with Love starting GB -2.5
* My Thoughts *
Packers HC Matt LaFleur has shown off his ability to run an offense in the absence of Jordan Love, as the previously unplayably bad Malik Willis looked passable the past couple weeks. However, he's going up against Brian Freaking Flores who just confused the pants off of Shanahan/Purdy and Slowik/Stroud. It sounds like Love is likely to start now, but he won't be at 100% and his limited mobility will reduce the amount of damage he can do to this defense. The Packers run game will be the key, as they will try to get Jacobs going. He's having a rebound season but did get shut down by the Titans last week, and Emanuel Wilson could get some play as he has been a shifty runner.
The Packers OL is still chugging along as they usually do as one of the league's better units. Walker is a former 7th rounder who has turned into a passable LT while their RT is nearly into the Great category. He is entering Brian O'Neill levels of play for a RT and will be getting paid the big bucks soon. Jenkins isn't playing up to his peak levels but is still a very sturdy pass defender. Myers continues to be the one questionable member on this line as he sucks in run blocking. They lost Runyan Jr. at RG and plugged in third year 3rd rounder Rhyan who is playing at an average level to this point. And they have a 1st rounder in Jordan Morgan waiting in the wings.
They return their 2nd/3rd year receiving corps with virtually zero changes. Reed has taken a step up as the top dog in this unit and is getting manufactured touches in the run game to keep things moving. Doubs is a dependable chains-mover who gets forgotten about and is always good for something like a 4 catch 45 yard game. Watson is still inconsistent but he will stretch the field and put pressure on the DBs. Wicks has been remarkably efficient but is buried. Bo Melton went for 100+ the last time we played, perhaps he'll make a cameo. The TEs are fine enough, Musgrave hasn't taken the step forward I thought he would and Kraft is nearly getting all of the snaps now, but is a better blocker than receiver.
Defensively, the Packers have moved to a 4-3 scheme under new defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley. Their starting 4 DL are very capable and they've got depth to boot. It's the same mix of players we saw last year but Wyatt is continuing to improve and Van Ness is getting better as well. Slaton and Brooks are good enough to be low-end starters elsewhere.
The LB unit is very questionable, with Quay Walker unsuited to be the top dog. He stinks in coverage and makes too many mistakes as a run defender. They were hoping 2nd rounder Edgerrin Cooper would be his partner, but instead it's McDuffie, a replacement level player. Eric Wilson is even ahead of Cooper. By season's end they may have wished they signed a vet to pair with Walker (they reportedly got outbid on Vikings LB Blake Cashman).
The Packers ran back the same CB room but revamped S. Alexander continues to be a fine #1 CB but health (and suspensions!) is a question for him. Stokes' career has been maligned by injuries but he's back as a starter and is holding up decently. Nixon is a passable nickel back who also handles the return game. The biggest addition of the offseason was McKinney, who's been a fantastic addition for them. He's always been a great run defender but has stepped up his coverage game in the past couple years and has 3 picks in 3 games so far. Bullard is the one to go after in coverage.
Prediction: Vikings 24, Packers 20
I've predicted the Vikings to lose the previous two games, I can't pick them to drop another whilst this defense is pummeling offenses into the ground. The pass rush has been overpowering and I don't think Willis nor a non-100% Love is going to be able to overcome it. The run defense has been very good and I don't see the Packers "#1 rushing game" doing that much damage. The Vikings have won all 3 games in the trenches so far and while the Packers are formidable there, so were our other opponents. I think the offense will be shakier but will come through enough to win this one.
Any thoughts?
Injury Report
Packers
CB Alexander - Questionable
QB Love - Questionable
RG Morgan - Out
CB Valentine - Doubtful
Vikings
ILB Pace Jr. - Out
Point Spread: Packers -3
SuperSim Calculated line with Willis starting: MIN -2, with Love starting GB -2.5
* My Thoughts *
Packers HC Matt LaFleur has shown off his ability to run an offense in the absence of Jordan Love, as the previously unplayably bad Malik Willis looked passable the past couple weeks. However, he's going up against Brian Freaking Flores who just confused the pants off of Shanahan/Purdy and Slowik/Stroud. It sounds like Love is likely to start now, but he won't be at 100% and his limited mobility will reduce the amount of damage he can do to this defense. The Packers run game will be the key, as they will try to get Jacobs going. He's having a rebound season but did get shut down by the Titans last week, and Emanuel Wilson could get some play as he has been a shifty runner.
The Packers OL is still chugging along as they usually do as one of the league's better units. Walker is a former 7th rounder who has turned into a passable LT while their RT is nearly into the Great category. He is entering Brian O'Neill levels of play for a RT and will be getting paid the big bucks soon. Jenkins isn't playing up to his peak levels but is still a very sturdy pass defender. Myers continues to be the one questionable member on this line as he sucks in run blocking. They lost Runyan Jr. at RG and plugged in third year 3rd rounder Rhyan who is playing at an average level to this point. And they have a 1st rounder in Jordan Morgan waiting in the wings.
They return their 2nd/3rd year receiving corps with virtually zero changes. Reed has taken a step up as the top dog in this unit and is getting manufactured touches in the run game to keep things moving. Doubs is a dependable chains-mover who gets forgotten about and is always good for something like a 4 catch 45 yard game. Watson is still inconsistent but he will stretch the field and put pressure on the DBs. Wicks has been remarkably efficient but is buried. Bo Melton went for 100+ the last time we played, perhaps he'll make a cameo. The TEs are fine enough, Musgrave hasn't taken the step forward I thought he would and Kraft is nearly getting all of the snaps now, but is a better blocker than receiver.
Defensively, the Packers have moved to a 4-3 scheme under new defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley. Their starting 4 DL are very capable and they've got depth to boot. It's the same mix of players we saw last year but Wyatt is continuing to improve and Van Ness is getting better as well. Slaton and Brooks are good enough to be low-end starters elsewhere.
The LB unit is very questionable, with Quay Walker unsuited to be the top dog. He stinks in coverage and makes too many mistakes as a run defender. They were hoping 2nd rounder Edgerrin Cooper would be his partner, but instead it's McDuffie, a replacement level player. Eric Wilson is even ahead of Cooper. By season's end they may have wished they signed a vet to pair with Walker (they reportedly got outbid on Vikings LB Blake Cashman).
The Packers ran back the same CB room but revamped S. Alexander continues to be a fine #1 CB but health (and suspensions!) is a question for him. Stokes' career has been maligned by injuries but he's back as a starter and is holding up decently. Nixon is a passable nickel back who also handles the return game. The biggest addition of the offseason was McKinney, who's been a fantastic addition for them. He's always been a great run defender but has stepped up his coverage game in the past couple years and has 3 picks in 3 games so far. Bullard is the one to go after in coverage.
Prediction: Vikings 24, Packers 20
I've predicted the Vikings to lose the previous two games, I can't pick them to drop another whilst this defense is pummeling offenses into the ground. The pass rush has been overpowering and I don't think Willis nor a non-100% Love is going to be able to overcome it. The run defense has been very good and I don't see the Packers "#1 rushing game" doing that much damage. The Vikings have won all 3 games in the trenches so far and while the Packers are formidable there, so were our other opponents. I think the offense will be shakier but will come through enough to win this one.
Any thoughts?