Five Packers to watch in home opener vs. Vikings in Week 2
By Jesse Fry
2. Blake Martinez
Blake Martinez had another solid game against the Bears. He led the team in tackles, got a sack and was as assignment sure as ever. This week the challenge will be the same, yet different.
The Vikings, like the Bears, have a top-notch running game. But they don’t feature a three-headed monster like the Bears do.
After a torn ACL in his rookie season, Dalvin Cook battled hamstring and knee injuries and never really got on track. He now appears to be the player he was coming out of Florida State. He has the power to run between the tackles and speed to hit the edge.
The Vikings will no doubt look to replicate their success on the ground against the Packers. Mike Zimmer let go of John DeFilippo and brought in Gary Kubiak to ensure the ground game takes priority.
Martinez will likely have another running mate at inside linebacker, but he will still be the key. Martinez is the main man in the middle, setting up the defense and making the calls. He will have to adjust, as he has over the past year, to another player alongside him. For the Packers to pull out the win, he will have to be the player he has been and make plays.