Packers vs. Vikings: Three key matchups in Week 16

3. Davante Adams vs. Xavier Rhodes

By now, it’s no secret that the Packers are lacking production at the wide receiver position outside of Davante Adams. None of the other receivers are really consistently making plays. Some make a few flashes here are there, but none are as reliable or have Aaron Rodgers’ trust like Adams.

Seeing as though Adams is and should be the main target in the passing game, his ability to get open and make plays will be crucial to Green Bay leaving Minnesota with a victory. Adams has been playing well lately, getting tons of targets and catching most of the balls thrown his way.

Xavier Rhodes, on the other hand, is experiencing a pretty tough season. It was just two years ago where the saying ‘Rhodes Closed’ was constantly popping up as he earned first-team All-Pro honors.

When these two went head-to-head in Week 2, Adams had seven catches on nine targets, going for 107 yards. Adams didn’t score a touchdown, but he didn’t necessarily have to. The Packers’ backfield picked up the slack.

Running backs Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams combined for 191 total yards and three touchdowns. When you are getting that kind of production out of the backfield, players like Adams don’t need to score.

Jones is having a huge season so you can be sure the Vikings will be much more prepared for him this game than they were in Week 2. Adams will need to be a big part of the Packers’ offense if there are to win on Monday night.