Sitting at 3-4, the Minnesota Vikings are looking to improve to 2-0 on the season in week eight against the Green Bay Packers.
The border battle has been contentious over the last five years. The Packers lead the series overall 65-57-3 and over the last 10 games at 5-4-1. These games are often close, but last season saw both games decided by more than 10 points.
These games are the most important for many Vikings fans on the schedule, as they are both big rivalry games and important games in the division. Getting a win for the Vikings is going to be important, as they sit 0.5 games out of a wild card spot and only two games out of the division lead.
If they want to win on Sunday, these offensive keys will be crucial to securing a victory.
Score early
Whenever the Vikings play the Packers, it always has a level of intrigue about it. One thing that usually doesn’t happen for the Vikings is scoring early.
Through seven games, the Vikings have only scored three points on the opening drive and have turned it over four times. They are going against a defense that ranks 21st in EPA/play and even worse against the run, sitting 25th. Jumping out to an early lead is important for the Vikings to have success.
Get Jordan Addison involved early
After a breakout on Monday night football, Jordan Addison has arrived in the eyes of many. He caught seven passes for 123 yards and two touchdowns, but most importantly, stepped up when the Vikings needed him the most. He still struggles with press coverage and physicality, but going against a Fangio-inspired defense should allow Addison to run free and potentially catch his fourth touchdown on a deep post.
Establish the run
The rushing game has been a major point of contention for the Vikings this season. They are the only team in the National Football League without a rushing touchdown this season and are averaging slightly under 75 yards per game on the ground. The odd thing is that they have been good running the football.
The Vikings rushing attack sits at 7th in success rate on the season and Cam Akers could be given some more run after playing the most snaps on the season. He got his biggest run as a member of the Vikings against the 49ers with 29 snaps and the running back room feels more like a committee now than it has before.
The Packers are 25th in rush EPA/play and 26th in rush success rate. With multiple players potentially out in their front seven, the Vikings could exploit them for a big game.
T.J. Hockenson is primed for a big game
The Vikings not having Justin Jefferson on the field is never a good thing, but they have seen players step up in a big way. One of them is T.J. Hockenson, who caught 11 passes for 86 yards on Monday night. The Packers haven’t been the healthiest up the middle of their defense. Quay Walker and DeVondre Campbell are both likely to play on Sunday and safety Darnell Savage was just placed on injured reserve. They can take advantage of the middle of the field with some Y-choice routes.
