Here we are, Week One of the NFL season. Let’s talk X factors for the Packers against the Minnesota Vikings. This should be a great game, two division rivals battling it out.
Also, there is still some bad blood between these two from what happened in December in that same building, with the packers clinching the NFC North there last year in Week 16.
Let’s Get into it, X Factors For The Packers Week One!
1. RASHAN GARY
Last year, Za’darius Smith had a game to remember against these Vikings; he had 3.5 sacks, five Tackles for loss, and five QB hits. It was a career day for Smith; you have to think they will give him extra attention to make sure he doesn’t have another day like he did last December.
This gives Rashan Gary opportunities to make a difference for The Packers.
Rashan Gary Was talked about all Training Camp, and most people who have watched practice say he has improved noticeably.
If he can bring in fresh legs on obvious passing downs and disrupt whatever Kirk Cousins is trying to do, it would greatly benefit this Packers defense.
Watch for him to show his improved pass rush skills!
2. JAMAAL WILLIAMS
Jamaal has received high praise from Aaron Rodgers, which can improve your number of opportunities and look in this offense.
Aaron Jones had a historic season last year, and the odds of him repeating that touchdown production would be very tough to do.
We always hear what Aaron Jones can do for this offense, but in Week Two last season, we saw how good the pair of Aaron Jones’s lighting works with Jamaal’s thunder can be.
The Packers ran a lot of two-back looks in their Week Two contest against the Vikings, and it worked for them. I expect them to run that formation style more, seeing how well it did last year.
Expect Jamaal to make a difference in the running and passing game this Sunday.
3. KENNY CLARK
Kenny Clark will need to step up this Sunday. The Vikings will want to run the ball, and Clark makes his money with being the Packers’ run-stopping nose tackle.
The Packers’ defense as a whole struggled with the run all season. But Clark has been the best thing in the run defense.
When playing the Vikings, you can not let Dalvin Cook get going. Kenny has to shut him down and not let the Vikings run game going.
They use that run game to stretch the field and use play-action; you want them to be limited in their strategy.
Kenny will play a big part in the Packers’ success on Sunday.
4. PACKERS HEAD COACH MATT LAFLEUR
Matt LaFleur is my final X-Factor; he out-coached Vikings coach Mike Zimmer in both match-ups a season ago.
Zimmer’s awkward handshake he gave LaFleur last year might give more motivation to the second year Packers’ head coach.
But this Packers offense is ready for a year two jump under Coach LaFleur, which should present Zimmer’s defense problems.
The Vikings have had a lot of turnover on their coaching staff and their roster. So the Packers’ continuity should give them the upper hand, and I think they will look more put together as a team on Sunday, to the credit of Matt LaFleur.
Let’s see coach Lafleur start 3-0 against the Vikings in his young coaching career.
GO PACK GO!! Let’s start, 1-0!! Those are the X Factors For The Packers Week One.
As Always
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