To upset the Vikings, the Packes must ….
By GERY WOELFEL
You don’t have to have a Ph.D. in pro football to know what the Minnesota Vikings will do tonight against the Green Bay Packers.
They’re going to pass … and pass … and pass.
And they should.
The Packers’ secondary is a M*A*S*H unit. It’s banged up, and it’s been banged up for virtually the entire season. It’s amazing the Packers have even won seven games as having a make-shift secondary is a sure-fire recipe for disaster in today’s pass-happy NFL.
The Packers will once again be without their two starting cornerbacks – Jaire Alexander and Eric Stokes – when they take on the Vikings in a game with critical playoff implications.
It’ll mark the 15th game this season, the Packers will be without both Alexander and Stokes in the starting lineup.
As such, the Vikings – like almost every team the Packers have faced this season – will relentlessly attack the Packers’ backup corners: Carrington Valentine and Corey Ballentine.
The Vikings are undoubtedly going to go on the attack with Justin Jefferson, arguably the best receiver in the NFL. The fourth-year pro racked up an insane 1,808 receiving yards last season and, while he’s been slowed by injuries this season, he’s healthy again and ever-so dangerous.
Last week, against the Detroit Lions, Jefferson caught six passes for 141 yards – a crazy 23.5 yards per catch – and one touchdown. Rest assured, he’ll be targeted even more against the Packers suspect DBs than the 10 times he was against the Lions.
Despite the greatness of Jefferson, the Vikings are struggling. They’ve lost two straight games and four of their last five.
If the Packers keep Jefferson somewhat in check – a tall task, for sure –don’t be surprise to see them upset the 1-point favorite Vikings.
Predictions: Packers 27, Vikings 24
