Vikings-Packers: 10 Key Matchups in the Battle for the North
This week we have a big game between two preseason Super Bowl favorites, who have met some difficulties so far this year. The Vikings offense has looked pretty bad so far this season but has the pieces to turn it around in a hurry. The Packers, on other hand, have looked pretty solid but have been hit hard by the injury bug. Both teams aren't exactly where they thought they'd be, but both are looking to put themselves in a good spot in the division following a win. Let's look at 10 of the most important matchups of this battle in the North.
10) Packers vs. Injuries
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This could be a non-issue depending on who plays, but if certain guys can't go, the Pack could be in trouble. Brady Popping and Jermichael Finley are out for sure, and Clay Matthews, Ryan Pickett, Mark Tauscher and Brandon Chillar are all questionable. Plus, you can't overlook that many key players are just coming off injuries.
The most important of these is, of course, Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers didn't look too worse-for-wear against the Washington Redskins a week after his concussion, but you can never be too cautious with a head injury. I expect that Rodgers will play very well against a weak pass defense, and Clay Matthews will play enough to be effective.
9) Percy Harvin vs. Tramon Williams
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The marque matchup going into this game is going to be Randy Moss vs. Charles Woodson, but the matchup between Harvin and Williams could shape the game. Woodson is simply too good to be dominated by Moss, even though Moss seems to take it up a notch against the Packers.
It will fall to Harvin to make some noise as the second option. He's been a solid player since Moss has arrived as the No. 1 guy. It really suits Harvin to play in the slot against the weaker cornerback where he can use his playmaking ability to its fullest. Williams has two picks on the year, but Harvin should be able to outplay the less talented cornerback.
8) B.J. Raji vs. Jon Cooper
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Raji is a beast of a man, and he should have a big day going against the Vikings second string center, Jon Cooper. Cooper has been terrible in place of the injured John Sullivan, and I don't see this changing. Unless he gets tons of help from the Vikings guards, he's going to be beaten often. Don't expect that help to come because the Vikings will need all the men they can get as the Packers employ the blitzing 3-4.
Sullivan is currently probable for the game, but I'm not sure he'll get a start. If he does, Raji's impact could be somewhat negated but look for Raji to be in Favre's face all day. I think that, with how much Farve has been holding the ball of late, you could easily see a multiple sack day out of the big defensive tackle.
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7) Jared Allen vs. Chad Clifton
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Jared Allen has one sack so far this year. Some people are probably very surprised by this but look at last year when Allen had two sacks going into his first game against the Packers. He was doing a little better with two sacks in three games, but it was against the Packers that he dominated. In two games, he was able to rack up 7.5 total sacks.
However, Chad Clifton was hurt in both of those games, and in the past, he's been able to hold down Allen as good as anybody in the NFL. This year Clifton is fairly healthy and should get the start along with lots of help. Look for Allen to grab at least one sack but not have the dominating performances of last year.
6) Donald Driver vs. Chris Cook
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Last week Lito Sheppard was absolutely destroyed by the Dallas Cowboys passing attack. All three of their touchdowns came from the receiver he was supposed to be guarding. Because of this, I would be surprised if the Vikings don't go elsewhere and look for either Asher Allen or rookie Chris Cook to play opposite Antoine Winfield.
If I had to guess, I'd say Cook will get the start against the cagey, but nicked up, veteran Donald Driver. Driver is having a very solid year so far and has three touchdowns in six games. Look for him to use that well earned veteran status to get by Cook for a few big gains that keep drives alive.
5) Chad Greenway vs. Brandon Jackson
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Consider me the president of the Chad Greenway fan club. He has become one of the best outside linebackers in the game and is in on almost every single tackle the Vikings have made this season. His lateral speed is amazing and allows him to make plays all over the field. He's having another Pro Bowl-caliber year, and he keeps improving every week.
Brandon Jackson, on the other hand, isn't a very good player. He's a capable backup but not a starter in the NFL. This hurts the Pack because they're without their starting back, Ryan Grant. Jackson is going to find it tough to run against one of the best defenses in the league. Look for Greenway to be blowing him up all day long in the backfield.
4) Aaron Rodgers vs. E.J. Henderson
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As we saw last week, E.J. Henderson is a playmaker. He may not have the same ability he had when he was younger, but his veteran brain has kept him at the top of his game. He was able to pick off Tony Romo twice last week, purely because of his ability to recognize what was happening. If he can read Aaron Rodgers like Romo, we could see a few more big plays out of Henderson.
However, this is Aaron Rodgers we're talking about here. The only two things I can say bad about him is that he holds the ball too long, and he plays for the Packers. As long as he doesn't have problems from his concussion and he can stay on his feet, he should be able to tear up the Vikings weakened secondary. The best Henderson can do is hope to contain him and hope the pass-rush gets to Rodgers but watch for E.J. to sneak in one big play this week that changes the game.
3) Kevin Williams vs. Daryn Colledge
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Jared Allen vs. Chad Clifton is going to be the matchup people are talking about, but I think Kevin Williams is poised to have an even bigger impact on the game. Williams is the most versatile defensive tackle in the league and plays the run and pass as good as anybody. He's a perennial Pro Bowler who does everything right. Basically, he can't be stopped and has yet to slow down as he ages.
With all of that said, Williams gets to go up against one of the guys Allen demolished in last year's series against the Packers, Daryn Colledge. Colledge may be able to better hold his own on the inside at his natural position, but I expect Williams to recreate that multi-sack days Allen had last year against the Packers suspect line. He should be in the backfield all day making life very difficult for Aaron Rodgers.
2) Charles Woodson vs. Randy Moss
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Charles Woodson is a pretty big, physical corner that can cover just about anybody in the league one-on-one. In fact, it could easily be argued that he's the best cornerback the NFL has to offer after winning Defensive Player of the Year in 2009. He continues to get better with age and has the ability to contain Randy Moss.
As we saw in the Jets game, it's possible to contain Moss with a big, physical corner like Antonio Cromartie. This bodes well for Charles Woodson because, while he may not be quite as big as Cromartie, he makes up for it in his ability to read plays and react to the ball. Look for Woodson to keep Moss fairly quiet on Sunday and hold him to a lone touchdown.
1) Adrian Peterson vs. A.J. Hawk
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A.J. Hawk is a pretty good player. He has great sideline-to-sideline speed and makes a lot of plays all over the field. He's got a nose for the ball and has done a great job of anchoring the Packers rush defense. All in all, he's a guy you want on your team.
That said, he's got to go up against the best running back in the league, Adrian Peterson. Peterson is going to take over for the Vikings in this game because of Brett Favre's recent troubles. He has to play out of his mind and he knows it. When you look back through his career, you can see that when AD's team has to have a win, he's played very well. Last week, against the Cowboys, he was able to give the Vikings offense the yards it needed in the second half, and I fully expect him to do the same this week. Look for Peterson to drop big numbers on the injured Packer defense.
However, he's going to do it in a close lose.
Prediction: Packers 24 Vikings 17
The Vikings just don't have enough offense to win this one unless the defense can have a field day sacking Aaron Rodgers. That could easily happen, which almost makes this game too close to call. I'm giving the edge to the Packers, but by the slimmest of margins.
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