Packers - Vikings Game #2 - Defense!

Defense!  Something missing in Green Bay for a long time!  Even when the Packers won their last Super Bowl, the defense was not dominate!  And, with the new defensive coordinator, Pettine, maybe we will see a shift to a defense that can win games!  Last week may be a start!

Holding the Bears in the last 2 minutes of the game was exciting!!  And, because of Clay Matthews REALLY exciting!

Let's start with the defensive backs!

Packers Defensive Backs:
Rookies Alexander & Jackson, along with second year man King were thrown into the fire!  And, I think, did a great job!  The unsung hero may be un-drafted Brice.  With the exit of Moran Burnett last year, we had a void - he may be the answer!  He covers & he tackles!
Starters at Safety - Brice & Clinton-Dixx & Corners - Williams, King, & Jackson, Alexander all play.

Vikings Defensive Backs:
Starters at Safety - Smith & Sendejo & Corners - Waynes & Rhodes
The man to watch is Harrison Smith #22!  I think one of the top safeties in the NFL!  He could be anywhere on the snap of the ball - 2 Deep, rushing the QB, and is a ball hawk!  My man concern is the blitz! Corners are good, when they use 3, we could get the advantage with our slot receivers or. maybe one of our tight ends goes crazy!!!!

Defensive Backs: Slight Advantage to Vikings!  By the end of the year, NO!  Pack rookies come on!

Linebackers:
Packer Starters: Matthews, Perry at outside, & Martinez & Burks (may not play)
Vikings Starters: Gedeon & Barr, inside Kendricks.

Wow!  First we have Barr, Vikings linebacker that knocked Rodgers out last year!  And Kendricks is tough!  Our guys, what is up with Matthews????  Perry is getting back in the grove, Martinez is solid, but NOT spectacular, and Burks, will he play??  My guess is No!  So, newcomers Morrison or Tooter?  When I watched last weeks game(I watched it 5 times, especially the 4th quarter!), Matthews was a disaster!  He is playing out of control!  He seems to have the speed & agility, but is easing fooled and spends a lot of time on the ground!  So, Gilbert should play more & I would move him inside!

Linebackers: Advantage Vikings!

Defensive Line:
Packer Starters: Daniels, Wilkerson, Clark
Vikings Starters: Defensive Ends - Hunter & Griffen and at Tackle - Richardson & Joseph

The Packers have depth with Adams & Lowry, and I still think Clark will break out!  Vikings are good & the tackles led by Richardson need to be controlled!  I see our D-line winning the battle!

Defensive Line Advantage - Packers!

Overall Advantage to the Vikings defense!

My Final Score prediction??

Green Bay 23 & Vikings 20