Early in this 2024 NFL season, the NFC North is looking like one of the strongest divisions in football. It is currently the only division that has three teams with winning records. At the very top, we find the Minnesota Vikings and their undefeated 3-0 record. Not far behind the Vikings are the Green Bay Packers, who have only suffered one loss so far this season.
It will be the first meeting the Packers and Vikings in the 2024 season. But it will also be the Packers’ first matchup against another NFC North team this year. Who will claim victory in Green Bay?
Key Players for the Packers
Quarterback counts for so much. Right now, the Packers do have a quarterback question. Not because of poor play, quite the opposite actually. The burning question is, how healthy is Jordan Love?
The star signal-caller suffered a knee injury at the very end of Week 1. After missing two games, Love may return for this NFC North showdown. But if he does not, Malik Willis demonstrated a strong capacity to run this Green Bay offense. After all, the team did go 2-0 during Willis’ two starts.
Whoever is behind center, head coach Matt LaFleur will have a great game plan. Going from one quarterback to another, LaFleur did not change the offensive. Any adjustments LaFleur made were to play-calling in-game, as opposed to play designs before the match. So whichever quarterback starts, the Packers will have a clear game plan that they are working on all week. This offense should be ready.
As the Vikings travel to face the Packers, they bring arguably the best wide receiver in the league with them. The good news for Packers fans is that one of the best cornerbacks in the game resides in Green Bay. These are typically the type of matchups that Jaire Alexander will be asked to shadow cover the opponent’s top option. In this case, we will likely see a lot of the Alexander vs Justin Jefferson matchup.
Past results have been varied; just look at the 2022 season. In the first Packers-Vikings game of that year, Jefferson went off with nine receptions for 184 yards and a pair of touchdowns. In next time they squared off, Alexander shut down Jefferson as the receiver produced one catch for 15 yards.
Key Players for the Vikings
After drafting a quarterback in the top-10 of this year’s NFL draft, the plan was probably not a full season of Sam Darnold. However, injuries have forced Minnesota to go with Darnold behind center for the entire season.
While he hasn’t been asked to do too much so far this year, Darnold is undefeated in 2024 with 3-0 record. While he has yet to throw 30 pass attempts in a game, Darnold has succeed in getting the ball to Justin Jefferson.
A new addition to this Vikings team is a familiar face for fans in Green Bay. After being released by the Packers, running back Aaron Jones joined a rival squad and signed a one-year deal in Minnesota.
Jones had several fantastic seasons with the Packers. His best traits are his nose for the end zone, as well as his route running and receiving abilities. In spite of all that, Green Bay decided to transition to stronger inside runners, while Jones joins a Viking team that desperately needed his efficiency and pass-catching prowess.
Jones wasn’t the only new addition on in Minnesota. In fact, the linebacker room got arguably the biggest shift. Three of the four starting linebackers are new to the team this year. That includes a pair of former Houston Texans, Blake Cashman and Jonathan Greenard. Also arriving in Minnesota this season is Andrew Van Ginkel. All of these new linebackers, will be key to stopping the new Packers running backs.
Keys to Win the Game
Arguably the biggest key to victory will be the matchup between Alexander, and Justin Jefferson. If Jefferson can produce monster numbers, it could spell trouble for the Packers chances. However, if Alexander can shut down the star receiver, the Vikings offense could stall out repeatedly.
It will be interesting to see how often Minnesota head coach Kevin O’Connell moves Jefferson around the formation. Perhaps, this much anticipated coverage matchup may not occur too often. That would add pressure to some of the other defensive backs, like Keisean Nixon. If Jefferson ventures into the slot, it would likely be Nixon covering him from the nickel corner spot.
Another Packers defensive matchups include the potential of Eric Stokes lining up against Jalen Nailor. The Vikings receiver has surprised with a touchdown catch in every game so far this season. Green Bay will look to end that streak, and Stokes’ speed may be key to that.
One area of concern for the Packers defense are the linebackers in coverage. Last week, every Green Bay linebacker on the field was targeted, with success for the opposing team. Eventually they made adjustments, and the linebackers starting making good plays against the pass. However, the two primary linebackers, Isaiah McDuffie and Quay Walker, will need to be on point in coverage right from the get-go.
We do not know how healthy Jordan Love will be, assuming he plays the entire game. But if he is out there, it is expected that he can lead the Packers to victory. With Green Bay’s first NFC North game upcoming in Week 4, this will be a difficult, and equally crucial contest.
