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Green Bay Packers v. Vikings: 5 BIG Questions Heading into Week 8

By Paul Bretl

Sep 13, 2020; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Davante Adams (17) scores a touchdown against Minnesota Vikings cornerback Holton Hill (24) in the third quarter during their football game Sunday, September 13, 2020, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minn. Green Bay won 43-34. Mandatory Credit: Dan Powers/Appleton Post-Crescsent-USA TODAY NETWORK
Sep 13, 2020; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Davante Adams (17) scores a touchdown against Minnesota Vikings cornerback Holton Hill (24) in the third quarter during their football game Sunday, September 13, 2020, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minn. Green Bay won 43-34. Mandatory Credit: Dan Powers/Appleton Post-Crescsent-USA TODAY NETWORK /
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Sep 15, 2019; Green Bay, WI, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) completes a pass under pressure from Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Preston Smith (91) in the second quarter during their football game Sunday, September 15, 2019, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. Mandatory Credit: Dan Powers/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin via USA TODAY Sports /

4. Will we see a more consistent pass rush?

The Green Bay Packers were able to put pressure on Deshaun Watson more consistently than what they had been in previous weeks. However, in part, that is due to Mike Pettine calling far more blitzes than what he usually does. When Green Bay didn’t blitz, oftentimes, Watson had plenty of time in the pocket.

A big reason behind the Packers’ success on defense in 2019 was their ability to get after the quarterback. But that hasn’t been the case this year. Green Bay has a pressure rate of 17.4 percent through six games, which ranks last in the NFL. This week, I hope that we see them start to turn the corner against a Vikings’ offensive line that allows a pressure rate of 33.9 percent, which ranks 30th in the NFL, according to NextGen Stats.

5. Does Davante Adams go wild again?

As I alluded to above, Davante Adams went wild in Houston, hauling in 13 receptions for 196 yards with a touchdown. And against an already not very good and now injured Vikings’ secondary, we could see a similar performance.

Adams’ latest numbers against Minnesota are, to put it simply, ridiculous. In Week 1, he logged 14 receptions for 156 yards with a touchdown. In his last three games against the Vikings, he’s totaled 34 receptions for 378 yards along with two touchdowns. And now, he will be up against a depleted secondary.

Next. Gutey Checking in on WR Will Fuller. dark

According to Chad Graff, the Vikings’ beat writer for The Athletic, Cameron Dantzler remains on the COVID/reserve list, while both Mike Hughes and Holton Hill missed practice again. This means that Minnesota could very well be without their three starting cornerbacks from Week 1.

As Adams said after the Houston game, “at the end of the day, I can only eat what’s in front of me.” Well, it looks like Adams could be eating a lot once again on Sunday.

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