Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings: 5 matchups to watch

5. Packers safeties vs Diggs and Thielen

As was previously noted, the Packers had this game well in hand in Week 2. However, late in the game, safety Kentrell Brice and the rest of the Packers defensive backs melted down in coverage. Multiple blown assignments and bone-headed plays occurred that ultimately cost the team a win. That meltdown is one of the major differences between the Packers sitting in second place in the division and sitting third like they do now.

Diggs and Thielen are one of the best wide receiver duos in the NFL. However, there isn’t a consistent receiving threat outside of these two. John DeFilippo does a great job of scheming these two open and making sure they get the touches necessary to have an impact on the game. They are going to get their touches, but they can’t be allowed to put up the stat lines that they had in Week 2.

The two of them combined for 21 catches for 259 yards and a touchdown. It’s unlikely they will be able to put those numbers up again this week, but, with most of the Packers safeties on the mend, they have even better matchups on the back end of the defense. Thielen and Diggs can blow a game open on any play, and, if the safeties struggle as they did early in the season, this game and the Packers season will be over in a hurry.