Packers: Five players to watch vs. Vikings in Week 2
By Jesse Fry
2. Blake Martinez, LB
Blake Martinez, and by extension who ever lines up next to him at inside linebacker, will need to be on top of their game. Dalvin Cook looks all the way back from his torn ACL and will be used in the passing game as well as the run game.
Martinez will have to make sure tackles and be quick in the pass game. His downhill style should play well in this game as the Vikings offensive line may not be able to open the cut back lanes the Bears were able to.
A double-digit tackle game should be expected from Martinez. It would also go a long way if those tackles were within three yards of the line of scrimmage. That would mean the Vikings’ run game isn’t gashing the defense and giving them favorable down and distances.
A lot of third-and-longs should give the defense plenty of chances to get after the quarterback. With the crowd on the Packers’ side, the defense should have an extra boost on pass rush opportunities.
In order for that to happen, Martinez and the middle linebackers will need to make tackles and stop Cook near, at or behind the line of scrimmage.
The Vikings also have a receiving threat in tight end Kyle Rudolph, a player Martinez will have to contend with. If rookie linebacker Oren Burks comes back this week I expect that’ll be a match up the Vikings and Kirk Cousins will look to take advantage of.