3 X-Factors for Green Bay Packers Against Vikings
By Paul Bretl
Green Bay Packers X-Factor: Darnell Savage and Adrian Amos
This Green Bay Packers defense has been very good this season at eliminating the explosive pass play, ranking sixth in that category, according to Sharp Football. This, of course, is what Joe Barry’s defense is designed to do with the frequent cover-2 shells that they run.
However, Green Bay was not able to do this the last time they played Minnesota as Justin Jefferson put up huge numbers–although that’s something he often does anyways. That week, Jefferson caught eight of his nine targets for 169 yards, two touchdowns, and he averaged 21.1 yards per catch.
It was a rough day for Eric Stokes, to say the least, and there was some miscommunication in the secondary as well. Ultimately, Jefferson is one of those players who is going to find success — he’s just that good — but obviously, this Green Bay defense needs to be better at limiting the number of big plays and quick scores, which Darnell Savage and Adrian Amos can play key roles in doing as the over-the-top help.
Adam Thielen was recently placed on IR after undergoing ankle surgery, so unlike the first time around, the Green Bay defense won’t have to worry about him. With the help of Amos and Savage, the Packers’ objective in the passing game should be to slow Jefferson as much as possible, and if another pass-catcher finds some success, then so be it.