Dairyland Express
Fansided

Green Bay Packers: 4 Matchups to watch against the Vikings

By Kenny Jilek

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - DECEMBER 23: Defensive back Chandon Sullivan #39 of the Green Bay Packers cover tight end Irv Smith #84 of the Minnesota Vikings causing an incompletion during the game at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 23, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - DECEMBER 23: Defensive back Chandon Sullivan #39 of the Green Bay Packers cover tight end Irv Smith #84 of the Minnesota Vikings causing an incompletion during the game at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 23, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 5
Next
Green Bay Packers
Dalvin Cook, Minnesota Vikings, Darnell Savage, Green Bay Packers, (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images) /

Dalvin Cook vs. Run Defense

In week two of the 2019 season, Dalvin Cook ran for 154 yards on 20 carries, an average of 7.7 yards per carry, and had a 75-yard touchdown. The Vikings passing attack wasn’t enough to beat the Packers, but that kind of rushing performance was not a rarity for Cook or the Packers defense last season.

Ever since the Adrian Peterson days in Minnesota, the Vikings have been a run heavy team who rely on a dominant back to open up their passing game. Cook isn’t the same player as Peterson in his prime, but he is capable of taking over a game on his best days. The Green Bay Packers can withstand a 100-yard game and honestly I’m expecting it, but if they can keep him under 140, the chances of them winning this game go up quite a bit.

The Packers’ defense hasn’t changed much since last season, with the exception of signing Christian Kirksey to replace Blake Martinez at middle linebacker. Kirksey is quicker and faster, so hopefully he’ll be able to get to the edges on outside runs better than Martinez could. The defensive line is the same guys as last year, but hopefully second year player Kingsley Keke will make a jump and be able to help out.

Mike Pettine’s defense is built around stopping the pass, so Dalvin Cook will get his yards. Again, it’s more about containment than actually stopping Cook. In the second meeting last season, the Vikings didn’t have Cook, but Za’Darius Smith moved all around the formation and got into the backfield on multiple run plays, so that kind of disruption would be the best way to stop Cook before he gets a head of steam.

Home/Green Bay Packers