NFL Week 10 Predictions: 3 Things Green Bay Packers Must Improve to Stay Perfect

The Green Bay Packers, at 8-0, are the last remaining unbeaten team in the NFL. 

With Aaron Rodgers leading the way on offense, the Packers don’t have a lot of weaknesses.

But, as always, there are some things they’ll need to improve if they want to have a perfect season.

They’ll get a chance to work on some of their weaknesses on Monday night, when the Minnesota Vikings come to Lambeau Field.

Let’s take a look at three things they’ll need to work on if they want to continue their winning ways.

Running Game

This is probably the most obvious weakness for Green Bay. Ryan Grant and James Starks aren’t really running backs that can be trusted if the passing game isn’t working.

As the Packers move towards colder weather games, they’ll need to improve their running game to stay competitive.

Throwing the football is obviously much harder in the cold, snowy weather that often hits Green Bay in late November and December.

And, more importantly, if the running game doesn’t improve, too much pressure will be put on Rodgers down the stretch.

If he has one bad game, with the way the running game has struggled this season, the Packers will definitely lose.

They need to work on establishing a strong running game on Monday night against the Vikings.

Pass Rush

The Packers are an average team when it comes to rushing the passer.

One would think that with Clay Matthews and B.J. Raji getting after opposing quarterbacks, the Packers would be towards the top of the league in sacks.

But, that hasn’t been the case this year. Matthew has been held in check by opposing offensive lines.

Against the Vikings on Monday night, they should take note of how Jared Allen plays. He’s near the top of the NFL in sacks and always finds a way to get to the quarterback.

Watching one of the best in the business at work might give defensive coordinator Dom Capers some ideas for things to do with Matthews.

Pass Defense

The Packers have the second-worst pass defense in the NFL this year, allowing nearly 300 yards per game through the air.

They’ve been very opportunistic, creating turnovers at key points in games, but they can’t rely on that all the time.

They need to start legitimately stopping opposing quarterbacks on a consistent basis if they want to have a chance at 19-0.

They should be able to break out some new coverage schemes on Monday night against a Vikings team that hasn’t had a very good offense this year.

If they figure out a way to stop Christian Ponder, they can build off that momentum as the season progresses.