Green Bay Packers vs Minnesota Vikings: 3 standout players in Week 2
The Green Bay Packers took the field against another divisional opponent this time at home, against the Minnesota Vikings. Here are 3 players that stood out.
The Green Bay Packers won a tough 21-16 game against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday afternoon. They got off to a fast start on offense, and let the defense carry the day fro there. The Packers win puts them at 2-0 and firmly in the driver’s seat in the NFC North. Here are three players that stood out for the Packers.
1. Preston Smith, OLB
Preston Smith was the “other” outside linebacker signing this offseason. He’s been far more than that early in the season. The way he moves for a man his size is incredibly impressive. He shut down a play early in the first half on a bootleg that would have gone for significant yardage had he not correctly read the play. It’s a play the Packers’ defense has not made in recent years. Later, Smith was rewarded with an interception on a pass defensed by Darnell Savage. It wasn’t the sheer dominance that his performance against Chicago was, but another quality output from the Packers’ “other” outside linebacker.
2. Kenny Clark, DL
Kenny Clark is a monster. He was perhaps the single biggest reason the Vikings could not get on track early in the game. Clark manhandled Vikings’ first-round pick Garrett Bradbury. He was routinely playing on the Vikings’ side of the line of scrimmage. He was able to force a fumble that gave the Packers another possession. Despite finishing with a sack and forced fumble, he may not always have the flashy numbers someone like Aaron Donald puts up. However, he is a special player, and his contract extension is going to be something to look at sooner than later.
3. Kevin King, CB
Last week it was Adrian Amos. This week it was Kevin King. Two players. Two game-saving interceptions. King’s was a play that Kirk Cousins never should have thrown. Fortunately, he did. King tracked the ball and made a play in the back of the end zone in order to secure the game. Had the Vikings scored on that drive, they would have taken a 22-21 lead with less than 3 minutes to play. That was the last possession of consequence for the Vikings, as King saved the day, perhaps, silencing his critics for at least one week.
Next. Packers vs Vikings: The good, bad and ugly. dark
Bonus: Aaron Jones, RB
Jones carried the day for the Packers’ offense. Fans that were clamoring for him to get the ball more got their wish on Sunday. Jones touched the ball 27 times. He went over 100 all-purpose yards and also looked like a much-improved player in the passing game. He had a nice blitz pickup of Harrison Smith. He cooked Eric Kendricks on a wheel route that would have been an 80-yard-touchdown had Rodgers not underthrown him. Jones is one of the two proven playmakers on the Packers’ offense. They’ll need more days like this one if the offense is going to continue to improve.