Packers vs. Vikings: 3 key matchups to watch in Week 8

Three matchups to watch for the Packers in Week 8.

The Green Bay Packers are set to take on the Minnesota Vikings in an NFC North divisional tilt.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at a few matchups to watch in the game.

Matchup #1: Jaire Alexander vs. Adam Thielen

This is going to be one of the best matchups to watch. Jaire Alexander was absolutely lockdown in the month of October, allowing zero catches.

According to NFL Next Gen Stats, when guarding against three All-Pro wide receivers (Calvin Ridley in Week 4, Mike Evans in Week 6, and Will Fuller in Week 7), he allowed a combined zero yards and touchdowns on just two targets.

Adam Thielen has gotten the best of Alexander recently though. Thielen has put up 186 yards on 14 total targets with 11 catches, seven first downs, and one touchdown.

This will definitely be one of the more interesting matchups to watch.

Matchup #2: Packers’ pass rush vs. Vikings’ offensive line

Green Bay’s pass rush got to Kirk Cousins in Week 1, forcing two sacks as well as two interceptions. Like the old saying goes, your secondary is only as good as your pass rush allows it to be.

If Green Bay can’t get to Cousins to disrupt his passing, they could be in for a long day defensively. They can’t let Cousins sit in the pocket and buy time, otherwise, he could pick them apart. We saw that with Tom Brady in Week 6. As long as they do enough to pressure Cousins and make him throw the ball when he doesn’t want to, they should be fine.

Matchup #3: Aaron Rodgers vs. Vikings’ secondary

The third and final matchup to watch will be Green Bay’s signal caller in Aaron Rodgers going up against a very depleted Minnesota secondary. In Week 1, Rodgers was 31/42 for 364 yards and four touchdowns against them.

This game could be another great statistical one for Rodgers. Minnesota’s depth in the secondary isn’t good as both CBs Mike Hughes and Holton Hill have been ruled out for Sunday’s contest. If Week 1 was any indication, Rodgers could be in for another huge day offensively at home.