Packers: 3 key matchups in Week 1 matchup vs. Vikings

2. Jaire Alexander vs. Justin Jefferson

On the other side of the field, two All-Pros could be going one-on-one regularly. Justin Jefferson had his way with the Packers’ secondary last season, but Jaire Alexander didn’t play in either game.

The Packers may not decide to have Alexander follow Jefferson as they have Eric Stokes and Rasul Douglas, but it makes sense to have their top corner against the Vikings’ best receiver.

And Alexander found success shadowing Jefferson when they last played in 2020.

In their most recent game against each other in Week 8 of the 2020 season, Jefferson was shut down in Alexander’s coverage. Per NFL Next Gen Stats, Alexander covered Jefferson on 11 routes, of which Jefferson made just one catch for 12 yards from two targets.

Jefferson had just five catches for 52 yards in the two games versus the Packers in 2020 combined, not just focusing on Alexander’s coverage.

However, that was Jefferson’s rookie year. He is a better player now. Last season against the Packers, Jefferson caught 14 passes for 227 yards and two touchdowns across the two games. One of them was without Kirk Cousins at quarterback.

In the U.S. Bank Stadium game, Jefferson dominated with 169 yards and two scores.

The Vikings may move Jefferson around to avoid Alexander, but we should see plenty of these two All-Pros going one-on-one. It should be a fascinating battle.