Green Bay’s defense isn’t too worried about the Vikings’ offense
The Minnesota Vikings have an impressive offense on paper. The Vikings offense has a leader in its three-time Pro Bowl quarterback Kirk Cousins. Options at wide receiver include Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen. Jefferson has made the Pro Bowl in both of his NFL seasons. Their running back is Dalvin Cook, who has made the Pro Bowl three times.
That’s a lot of weaponry at skilled positions. It’s undoubtedly the most talented offensively skilled team in the NFC North. Many NFL teams will have trouble keeping up with the Vikings’ offense this season. But the Packers’ defense doesn’t seem intimidated by this group they will face on Sunday in Week One.
Darnell Savage wants to prove the defense is the best
Per Bill Huber of Sports Illustrated, Green Bay Packers safety Darnell Savage thinks his group can match up against this Vikings squad:
“We’re stacked, too,” safety Darnell Savage said…
“Our mindset is to be the best. And to be the best, you’ve got to beat the best,” Savage continued. “So, we’re just going to go out there and compete at the highest level we can. We’re trying to prove it to ourselves that we’re the best. We’re not worried about anything else that’s outside or anything else going on in the world. We know what we have in this room and in this group. So, line up each week, do our thing and I think we’ll be fine.”
The Packers will need that confidence in this week’s game. The Packers will also need his coverage skills in the defensive backfield. Savage has secured eight interceptions in his first three years in the NFL.
The Packers’ defense has some studs
The Vikings’ offense is elite, but so is the Packers’ defense. This year, it might be the best unit on the field for the Packers. Jefferson might be one of the league’s best wide receivers, but he’ll be going against one of the best defenders in the Packers.
Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander doesn’t make life easy for opposing offenses’ passing games. Alexander has matched up well versus Jefferson in the past.
Jaire Alexander was effective on limited dropbacks in the Packers Week 8 loss to the Vikings, shadowing Justin Jefferson on 11 of 14 routes (79%).@JaireAlexander held Jefferson to one reception for 12 yards on two targets as the nearest defender.#MINvsGB | #GoPackGo https://t.co/r62PqrMP53
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) November 2, 2020
The Vikings’ offense versus the Packers’ defense will be one of the best matchups to watch in the NFL this Sunday. The unit that wins the battle will likely win the game, and an important one should set up the triumphant team for momentum in the divisional championship race.
