Vikings Week 2: Cheese Week Number 1

Twice a year most of Minnesota and most of Wisconsin don’t get along for a week or so. There’s just something about “Packers week” that get the nervous and collective competitive juices flowing. Currently the Vikings haven’t lost to the Packers in the last 3 years. Zimmer and his defense have had Green Bay’s number. Last year the Vikings had a tie at Lambeau Field which got their rookie kicker fired and in came Dan Bailey. At US Bank Stadium the Vikings beat the Packers 24-17. But hey, have you heard the Packers have won a Super Bowl?

Both teams had disappointing seasons in everyone’s eyes and this year they look to bounce back. The Packers started the 100th NFL season on Thursday night against the Bears and squeaked out a 10-3 win at Soldier Field. Their defense looked pretty good, but the caveat there is that the Bears offense looked very bad. The Packers offense moved the ball, but the team never looked comfortable in Matt LaFleur’s new offensive scheme. There have been more than just rumors that A-a-ron and the new head coach aren’t seeing eye to eye on some things. That’s part of what submarined their season last year as Rodgers and coach McCarthy didn’t get along. McCarthy got fired in season. Gone are Clay Matthews and a few other faces, but the Packers brought in Zadarious Smith and Preston Smith as outside rushers and pilfered safeth Adrian Amos from the Bears to solidify their backfield along with drafting Darnell Savage. The defense looked better against the Bears, but again Mitch Trubisky helped with that. Today will be a better test.

The Vikings dismantled the Falcons last week. Swarming Matt Ryan and running th ball so well that Kirk Cousins only had to throw 10 passes the entire game. Dalvin Cook and Alexander Mattison and the new zone blocking scheme were on full display at US Bank and it looked good. Adam Thielen had a touchdown reception, Cook ran for two, and Cousins dove in for a score. Anthony Harris earned defensive player of the week honors by picking off Ryan twice and getting a fumble. The defensive backfield will be under stress as Rodgers can keep plays alive with his feet and dagger a team from anywhere on the field. Davante Adams is one of the best wide receivers in the NFL and find ways to get open quickly and speed down the field. The Vikings strength is stopping the run and the Packers run game didn’t look great last week. If they can stop the run and get to Rodger early and often they can keep things under control. The offense just needs to score and keep Aaron and the Packers offense off the field and they can walk out with a victory. It’s never easy in Green Bay, but they’ve got a good chance. I think better than good. SKOL!