The Green Bay Packers (2-1) have won back-to-back games and are now preparing to welcome the rival Minnesota Vikings (3-0) to Lambeau Field for the first NFC North game of the 2024 season.
The Packers avoided an early season disaster, winning games against the Indianapolis Colts and Tennessee Titans with Malik Willis starting in place of Jordan Love. The Vikings, meanwhile, are one of the surprise teams of the season. Kevin O’Connell’s team has big wins over the San Francisco 49ers and Houston Texans.
Here’s a closer look at the Vikings entering Week 4:
Last week (Win, 34-7 vs. Texans)
The Vikings dismantled the Texans at U.S. Bank Stadium, using four touchdown passes from Sam Darnold, another 100-yard game from Aaron Jones and another suffocating defensive performance to blowout the AFC South-leading Texans. C.J. Stroud threw an interception on the second play from scrimmage, setting up a quick Vikings score, and the rout was on after the Texans missed a field goal and Jones scored on third down on the ensuing possession. The Vikings held the Texans scoreless on their first eight possessions. Even after the Texans cut the lead to 21-7, the Vikings responded with a field goal, interception and touchdown to retake full control. Four different players caught a touchdown pass from Darnold, Jonathan Greenard had three sacks after his former team and Kamu Grugier-Hill and Camryn Bynum had interceptions of Stroud.
Quarterback play
Darnold, the third overall pick in the 2018 draft, is enjoying a Geno Smith-like revival in his first year as the Vikings starter. He leads the NFL with eight touchdown passes, and he’s also completing 67.9 percent of his passes and averaging 8.4 yards per attempt. Darnold’s passer rating of 117.3 ranks second behind Josh Allen. He is playing confidently from the pocket in Kevin O’Connell’s dynamic passing game and also handling pressure (four touchdown passes under pressure). The Vikings attack all areas of the field and Darnold has proved to be a capable distributor. He is dealing with a knee bruise suffered last week, but he was a full participant at Wednesday’s practice.
Line of scrimmage
On offense, the Vikings have a pair of excellent offensive tackles (Christian Darrisaw, Brian O’Neil) and big question marks inside (especially center Garrett Bradbury and right guard Ed Ingram). Sam Darnold has been under pressure on roughly 40 percent of dropbacks this season, and the Vikings rank 29th in PFF’s pass-blocking efficiency. In the run game, the Vikings are averaging 4.8 yards per carry, although much of the production has come late in wins. Defensively, the Vikings lead the NFL in sacks (16) and rank third in yards per rushing attempt (3.6). Jonathan Greenard, a free-agent pickup, has been disruptive (17 pressures).
Turnovers
The Vikings rank sixth in the NFL at +2 in turnover differential. The defense’s six takeaways rank third. Sam Darnold has thrown two interceptions, C.J. Ham lost a fumble in Week 1 and Aaron Jones lost a fumble in Week 2. On defense, the Vikings thrive on chaos within Brian Flores’ complex and confusing scheme. Five different players have an interception through three games. The Vikings have won the turnover battle once (Week 3) and tied the battle twice.
Injury situation
The Vikings held a walkthrough practice on Wednesday, so it’s possible some of the participation estimates to start the week are off. Center Garrett Bradbury and linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. both missed Wednesday’s practice, and rookie edge rusher Dallas Turner was limited after missing last week’s win. Receiver Jordan Addison (ankle) might return.
Stat to know
The Vikings have allowed only three total touchdowns in three games and currently rank second in the NFL in points allowed per game (10.0). Brian Flores’ defense dominated against Daniel Jones, Brock Purdy and C.J. Stroud. Can the Packers finally unlock one of the NFL’s best defenses to start 2024?
Players to know
WR Jalen Nailor: Everyone knows Justin Jefferson and Aaron Jones, but Nailor has proved to be a capable complementary weapon with Jordan Addison on the sideline to start the 2024 season. In three games, Nailor has seven catches on nine targets for 106 yards and three scores.
S Josh Metellus: The Vikings use three safeties more than any team in football. That’s because Metellus can stop the run like a linebacker and cover like a traditional safety. He’s been dominant against the run and also has an interception.
CB Stephon Gilmore: The Vikings signed the veteran late in the offseason to stabilize the position, and he’s been solid in coverage. The Packers burned him up in Dallas during last year’s postseason.
Edge Andrew Van Ginkel: The former Badger is another versatile player for Brian Flores. He can rush the passer but also drop into coverage. He has eight pressures on 64 pass-rushing snaps.
