3 reasons why Packers will beat Vikings in Week 1

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MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – DECEMBER 23: Nose tackle Kenny Cla rk #97 of the Green Bay Packers celebrates a sack against the Minnesota Vikings during the game at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 23, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

2. Packers’ Pass Rush

The Vikings’ offensive line has been a weakness for a number of years now and, despite only allowing a sack on 5.7 percent of their dropbacks a season ago (eighth-best in the NFL), Minnesota didn’t take a concrete step forward in addressing this weakness in the offseason.

Part of the reason why the Vikings’ sack rate is so low is due to their quick passing game. They love to get the ball out of Kirk Cousins’ hands as soon as possible and heavily rely on Adam Thielen and Dalvin Cook to get open early and often.

However, the Packers’ pass rush should be able to eat against this line. Za’Darius Smith and Preston Smith are coming off monster seasons, and now second-year player Rashan Gary wants in on the action. This trio, combined with interior defensive lineman Kenny Clark, presents a downright scary four-man rush the Vikings will have to figure out how to handle. And the best part is they can rush from anywhere and everywhere, keeping the offensive line on their toes at all times. Don’t be surprised if Green Bay’s pass rush wreaks havoc from start to finish.

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