Green Bay Packers v. Vikings: 5 Things to Watch for

As the Green Bay Packers are taking on the Minnesota Vikings on Monday Night, these are five things to keep your eyes on that will play key roles in determining the outcome.

Given the rivalry alone between the Green Bay Packers and the Minnesota Vikings this was already going to be an intense matchup as it always is. But throw in all of the playoff implications and this game is huge for both teams.

Currently the Packers control their own destiny and if they win out, they will be the NFC’s No. 2 seed while also still needing a win to clinch the NFC North as well. Not to mention that with some help from Arizona on Sunday, the No. 1 overall seed is also within reach. Then we have Minnesota who is still holding out hope for a division title, but they did clinch a playoff spot over the weekend.

So clearly there is a lot on the line for both teams. And once the game begins, keep your eyes locked on these players and matchups because their performances will go a long way in determining the winner of this crucial game.

Aaron Jones

The Green Bay Packers’ offense has been at their best this season when they are going through Aaron Jones. However, he and the offensive line will be up against a very good Vikings’ run defense that has allowed the eighth fewest yards per game this season. If Jones is struggling to get going – which is a real possibility – hopefully we see him utilized more in the passing game in an effort to get the ball in his hands. But the Packers have been very inconsistent at doing that this season.

Pressure on Aaron Rodgers

As always it is vital that Aaron Rodgers have time in the pocket, but that’s going to be a tough task as the Green Bay offensive line will be going up against one of the best pass-rushing duos in the league in Everson Griffen and Danielle Hunter. This season these two have combined for 21.5 sacks and 147 total pressures. In their week two matchup, Hunter and Griffen were able to sack Rodgers just once but they pressured him 16 times. Once again, David Bakhtiari and Bryan Bulaga will have their hands full.

Davante Adams

With what could be a slow day on the ground for Aaron Jones, the Packers’ offense will need their other big-time playmaker, Davante Adams, to make an impact in this game. During Green Bay’s last few games against Minnesota, Adams has played very well, including a 106 yard performance in week two of this season. He’s also fared particularly well when Xavier Rhodes has been covering him, so that is another matchup to keep your eyes on.

Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen

The Vikings will be without Dalvin Cook on Monday Night which means they could very well rely even more on Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen. Per usual, these two have been lighting up defenses this season. Diggs is nearing 1,100 receiving yards at an incredible pace of 18 yards per catch, while Thielen has missed some time with an injury but is averaging nearly 14 yards per catch and has caught over 68 percent of his passes. Not to mention that they’ve combined for 11 touchdowns.

For a Green Bay Packers’ defense that is prone to giving up the big play, they probably won’t be able to stop Diggs and Thielen but they have to find a way to limit their production. Which if they are able to do, without Cook, this Vikings’ offense could have a hard time moving the ball.

Pressuring Kirk Cousins

Despite there being concerns at the beginning of the season, the Minnesota offensive line has allowed just 27 sacks this season, the 10th fewest in the NFL. However, pressuring Kirk Cousins this game is going to be a must for the Green Bay Packers. For one, it’ll help out the secondary with Diggs and Thielen if Cousins has to get rid of the ball before he’s ready. And second, as we’ve seen a few times already, if Cousins is under pressure, a bad decision could follow which means an opportunity for an interception. Hopefully we see a lot of Za’Darius Smith, Preston Smith and Kenny Clark in the backfield on Monday.