Good evening, everyone. First off, I want to wish you all a happy 2022. The Green Bay Packers will play their first game of this calendar year on Sunday January 2nd. Their opponent at Lambeau Field on a frigid Sunday night will be the Minnesota Vikings. The Packers have a chance to clinch the number one seed in the NFC on Sunday night. All that needs to happen is for the Packers to take care of business against the Vikings and for the Cowboys to lose to the Cardinals. In addition, the Packers can eliminate the Vikings from playoff contention with a win and a win by the Eagles against Washington or a Falcons win over the Bills. All the Packers need to focus on, however, is the Vikings. I’ll go into detail now about what they need to do to improve to 13-3 on the season.
On offense, the Packers need to focus on the ground game. Considering the fact that the temperature at game time might be in the single digits (at least In Fahrenheit), this is a perfect game for AJ Dillon and Aaron Jones to run through the Vikings defense. It’s up to the offensive line (which hopefully gets David Bakhtiari back soon) to create the holes for the backs to run through. The RBs, in turn, need to follow the holes and run for plenty of yards while not fumbling the ball in the process. I have no doubt that the Packers will be able to run all over the Vikings defense, especially in the “Frozen Tundra”. Running the ball well can keep the defense honest and not go after Aaron Rodgers on every play. I’m not expecting Rodgers to have record-breaking numbers, but I hope that he throws accurately to his receivers every time (as long as the O-Linemen protect him). Rodgers has plenty of receivers to throw to, including Davante Adams, Allen Lazard, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Marcedes Lewis, Josiah Deguara, Equanimeous St. Brown. Those receivers need to run their routes and catch each pass that is thrown by Rodgers (other than throwaways), even in frigid temperatures. As always, the most important thing that the Packers need to do on offense is to sustain long drives that should end in a touchdown each time (especially in the red zone). Converting third downs and committing no turnovers can help the offense accomplish this goal. I have full confidence in Matt LaFleur and his coaching staff, which includes offensive line coach Adam Stenavich. As long as they play well in all four quarters, I have no doubt that the Packers will get more than 30 points on Sunday.
On defense, it all depends on their ability to stop the run. With Kirk Cousins out due to COVID-19, I have a feeling that the Vikings will focus on the ground game to keep Aaron Rodgers off the field. Therefore, Dalvin Cook (plus Alexander Mattison) must be stopped at all costs by the Packers defense. With players like Kenny Clark, Dean Lowry, Rashan Gary, Preston Smith, Krys Barnes, and De’Vondre Campbell, I am sure the defense will be able to stop the run on Sunday night (at least better than on Christmas Day against Cleveland). The Packers must tackle better than they did last week. Any missed tackles can result in chunk plays for Minnesota in both the running game and the passing game. If the Packers are able to keep the ground game in check, then the pass rush can get after Sean Mannion all night long. Even if the pass rush does not get a sack each time, pressuring Mannion can force him to throw passes easy for the picking by Rasul Douglas, Adrian Amos, Chandon Sullivan, Darnell Savage, and Eric Stokes (hopefully Jaire Alexander comes back soon). Those defensive backs need to cover the Vikings receivers well. This is especially true regarding Justin Jefferson, who had over 150 receiving yards in Minnesota earlier this season. The Packers defense doesn’t have to worry about Adam Thielen, who had ankle surgery and was put on injured reserve. I hope that the defense doesn’t play 8 yards off, which would give the Vikings easy first downs. I understand that they don’t want to give up a big pass play downfield, but I don’t think that Sean Mannion will be able to throw those deep shots. I anticipate more check downs than usual for Minnesota. Therefore, the defense needs to play tight all game long. Stopping the Vikings on third downs and forcing turnovers of any kind can help the Packers get more opportunities to score on offense (plus maybe some defensive scores as well). I hope that Joe Barry’s unit will have a great performance on Sunday night in front of a loud crowd at Lambeau Field.
On Special Teams, all the Packers need to do is to keep the mistakes to a minimum. An example of this is allowing a long kick or punt return for a touchdown to Minnesota. Another example is allowing a field goal or punt to get blocked by the Vikings. Plays like these can easily shift the momentum away from Green Bay, even at home. It is up to everyone on the Special Teams unit to do their jobs well. On both field goal and punt attempts, Steven Wirtel needs to snap the ball accurately and the line needs to keep the defenders from getting close to the ball. Corey Bojorquez needs to secure the hold in addition to punting each ball deep into Vikings territory. Mason Crosby, of course, needs to make each kick when he is called upon. On punt and kick return situations in which the returner is able to run with the ball, the coverage unit needs to make sure that he doesn’t go off for a long return that could score a touchdown or give Minnesota great field position. The easiest way to avoid these situations is for Mason Crosby and Corey Bojorquez to kick each ball into the end zone for a touchback. On the other side, I hope that the kick and punt returners make the most of their opportunities for a long return as long as they follow the blocks of the other players. Most importantly, the returners need to secure the ball during a return or a fair catch. Last week against Cleveland was good for Special Teams. Hopefully they continue playing mostly mistake free on Sunday night.
Overall, this is a game that the Packers should have no problem winning by at least 2 touchdowns. As long as they don’t screw up and allow the Vikings to stay in the game, I think that this will be an easy win for Green Bay. Regardless of the outcome, I pray that nobody on either team suffers a major injury in the cold. I’ll be back with my postgame thoughts on either Monday or Tuesday. Have a good night, everyone. Go Pack Go!
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