Packers Interior defensive line: Can this group take advantage of the Vikings’ IOL?
This Packers’ defense looks very good, but they will be going up against a very good Minnesota offense. However, as I wrote about recently, slowing these Vikings’ playmakers down begins with the Packers’ interior defensive line group.
The weak point of this Vikings offense is their interior offensive line, and the best way to quickly wreck any play — whether it’s a run or a pass — is with pressure up the middle. A strong push and controlling the line of scrimmage will be a must in order to attempt to slow Dalvin Cook and to get to Kirk Cousins, who, if he has time, has been very effective.
Packers Edge rusher: How does the depth of this group look?
Wide receiver has drawn much of the attention, but the edge depth is perhaps an even bigger concern. We saw flashes this summer from several different edge rushers not named Rashan Gary and Preston Smith, but also numerous times where those rotational players went quiet.
Edge rusher is a heavily rotated position, with the third and fourth players on the depth chart potentially seeing as many as 20-25 snaps. If Jonathan Garvin, Kingsley Enagbare, and Tipa Galeai are struggling to create pressure and hold contain against the run, it could create some big play opportunities for the Minnesota offense.
Packers Linebacker: Quay Walker’s impact
Having both De’Vondre Campbell and Quay Walker, two players who can impact both the running and passing games, gives Joe Barry so much more flexibility, perhaps most notably, allowing this unit to stay in their base defense more often.
During the 2021 season, when the Packers wanted to play the pass, they’d take Krys Barnes off the field and put safety Henry Black on, which was a bit of a tell for the opposing offense. Now, with Walker, the Packers don’t necessarily have to do that as they can stay in their base defense, which is much more equipped to handle both the run and the pass, and disguise what they’re doing.
We saw a glimpse of what Walker’s impact could look like during that final preseason game. He flew around the field on the first two defensive possessions and made five tackles.
Running outside the tackle box won’t be easy against Walker — or Campbell — with his speed, and he is also a very sound tackler, while allowing just 8.0 yards per catch during his college career per PFF ($$).