Packers Week 1 Preview: Why the Vikings are dangerous
There are few worse teams for the Packers and their young, banged-up line to face in a week 1 matchup.
The Minnesota Vikings, despite an underwhelming 9-8 regular season last year, are set to take on the Green Bay Packers in Week 1. The Vikings' defense, under the guidance of defensive coordinator Brian Flores, is considered quite formidable. Flores is known for his unconventional approach, as he often rushes more or fewer players than expected, making it difficult for opponents to predict his strategy.
This style of play has been effective for the Vikings, who have finished in the top three in the FTN's DVOA metric for the past two consecutive seasons.
For the Packers, the news isn't all bad. If fully healthy, the team would be more prepared to handle Flores' tactics. However, with key players Zack Bako-Bewele and Aaron Banks limited in practice, the Packers' defense faces a significant challenge. Additionally, the Packers' interior line is their weakest unit, making them vulnerable to the Vikings' blitzes.
The Packers' defensive line has struggled against Flores' blitzes in the past, particularly with players like Dallas Turner, Aaron Banks, Jacob Monk, and Jager Burton.
The Vikings' opponents in the running game will face an even more daunting task, as they are unlikely to receive much assistance from the Packers. This will enable the Vikings to target Jordan Love extensively, as they will not be concerned about the Packers' running game. With Harrison Smith returning from retirement, the Vikings will also have an added advantage on defense, as he can help clean up any mistakes made by younger defenders.
Despite some personnel losses, including the departures of Jonathan Allen, Javon Hargrave, and Jonathan Greenard, the Vikings still possess a strong defensive core. Their leaders in sacks and passes defended from last season are still on the team, and they have all played against Flores' system before. However, their success will depend on their ability to exploit the Packers' weaknesses, particularly in pass protection, and find the appropriate blitz targets.
Written by urgent.news from Yahoo Sports's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
