And so it begins….
The most unexpected season in National Football League history is underway with an expected result, the defending Super Bowl Champion Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Houston Texans Thursday night with a small, socially distanced, mask wearing crowd that didn’t take kindly to a show of solidarity before kickoff where the two teams stood together arm in arm. Just play the damn game. Amidst the global pandemic and the ongoing call for social justice, professional football begins.
The Green Bay Packers travel to Minneapolis this weekend where in what will be an empty US Bank Stadium, they’ll kick off the season against the Minnesota Vikings. What will the product look like after a bare minimum of training camp practices and no Pre-Season games? We’ll find out at 12:00 PM Sunday.
It’s not easy to dismiss the coronavirus testing and safety protocols, the attendance restrictions or limitations, but the games will go on and it’s time to stack up these two sides and take a swing at how this unique season opener will play out.
When the Packers have the ball.
This is year two for Matt LaFleur’s offense and outside of the right tackle position and the departure of an over the hill tight end, the personnel returns almost intact. Aaron Rodgers enters his 16th season in the league and judging from his demeanor throughout training camp, not to mention his play, appears as energized as ever. Aaron Jones is coming off his breakout, NFL leading, 19 touchdown season. Davante Adams is a premier wide receiver. How will the rest of the cast fit in?
Judging from what I observed throughout camp, LaFleur will rely more heavily on the running game to set up the rest of his play sheet. The wide zone scheme is designed to stretch defenses wide to allow backs to make the one, right cut and go. Jones and the offense punished Minnesota on the ground last December and that’s where I believe they’ll start again.
The Vikings defense has had the most turnover in Head Coach Mike Zimmer’s tenure. No less than five starters are different, including both cornerbacks. Rodgers will test them and trust the likes of Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Allen Lazard to win their share of matchups. The absence of Danielle Hunter (placed on injured reserve this week) and the late camp arrival of former Jacksonville Jaguar Yannick Ngakoue should give the offensive line a fighting chance against the Minnesota pressure. A sore kneed Billy Turner might need some protection help on the right side if he’s able to play.
Look for interesting personnel groupings involving several tight end combinations using plenty of motion or shifts which will allow Rodgers to determine what defense he’ll be working against.
Offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett had some interesting things to say about the maturation of LaFleur’s system. A year ago, it was about learning what to do for each player. With a full season under their belts, the offensive players now have a better understanding of why they’re doing it.
When the Vikings have the ball.
The significant changes with Minnesota’s offense involve Gary Kubiak taking over as coordinator and new blood at wide receiver. The long-time assistant and former Head Coach replaced Kevin Stefanski who became the Head Coach in Cleveland. The Vikes traded Sefon Diggs and gave up on Laquon Treadwell, turning to this year’s number one pick, Justin Jefferson of LSU and 2019 7th rounder Olabisi Johnson to team up with the always pesky Adam Thielen.
Kirk Cousins hits the final year of his 84 million dollar deal and while he’s solidified the position, he hasn’t quite lived up to the franchise quarterback standard that kind of money demanded. Much of the pressure on Cousins has been eased by the emergence of Dalvin Cook, one of the most dangerous, all around backs in the league. He still has security blanket Kyle Rudolph at tight end and an offensive line that returns intact.
The Packers will have to neutralize Cook who ripped off a 75 yard touchdown run at Lambeau in the first meeting last year. When he didn’t play in the late season rematch in Minneapolis, the Packers held the Vikes to 139 total yards and 7 first downs. If he’s kept under wraps, Cousins will get pressure from the Pack’s two headed, pass rushing monster of Za’Darius and Preston Smith that could very well become a three headed monster based on Rashan Gary’s improved play in camp.
Communication in the secondary should see significant improvement after corners Jaire Alexander and Kevin King along with safeties Adrian Amos and Darnell Savage grew together last season. Thielen will require attention but the Packers appear equipped to handle his new, young, running mates.
The bottom line.
Not having fans at ear splitting US Bank will level the playing field somewhat. This is the first time the Packers have ever opened a season on the road against the Vikings. A year ago, Green Bay beat the Bears at Soldier Field in week one, propelling them to a 6-0 record against NFC North opponents. With fewer new pieces to baptize in game one, I’m giving the Packers just enough of an edge to steal another opener on the road. I’ll take the Pack 23-20.
