After a convincing 30-14 win over the Tennessee Titans, the Green Bay Packers return home this weekend to take on the Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings are the most surprising team in the league to this point with a 3-0 record after their rookie quarterback J,J. McCarthy suffered a season ending knee injury in the preseason. The team signed Sam Darnold and has been incredible so far. Here is an early look at the Minnesota Vikings.
The Green Bay Packers Face a Familiar Face
Sunday will return a familiar face for the Green Packers. Running back Aaron Jones, who spent the first seven years of his career with the Packers, makes his first trip back to Lambeau Field. Green Bay cut Jones this past offseason. Jones looked for a big contract, didn’t get it, and decided to sign with a division rival. the Packers were not willing to pay the big money to the 29 year old running back was set to make as did the rest of the league.
So far, Jones has been really impressive for the Vikings. He is averaging 5.4 yards a carry and has 97 yards on 12 receptions. Jones, along with stud receiver Justin Jefferson, are everything to this Minnesota offense. They rely so much on them. Jones should be a huge factor Sunday.
The Defense Has Been Most Impressive
The offense has put up 28, 23, and 34 points int heir games so far. While that’s solid, it;s the defense that has been the story. They have not allowed more than 17 points have have 16 sacks through three games. They have been Brock Purdy and C.J. Stroud , two of the top half quarterbacks int he league, look like rookies who were making their first start.
Brian Flores has always been a good defensive coordinator in his time in the NFL. Players like Andrew Van Ginkel, Harrison Smith, and Ivan Pace are leading the charge for this unit. Flores will likely bring the heat and take his chances. It has been working to this point.
An Early Season Division-Impacting Showdown
While it’s only week four, this potentially has a lot on the line for the division. The Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions are both 2-1 to this point. If the Vikings win this game, they would likely be in the early drivers seat at 4-0. For a team not seen by many as being a playoff team, it would be hard not to see them as a playoff team if they start the year 4-0.
A tie-breaker in the division gives you an extra game lead. That can be a big deal once December hits. The division games are so important even if it is the beginning of the season. The crowd should be electric and full of Green Bay Packers fans and Minnesota Vikings fans. It is a shame it is a noon game because this is arguably the best game on the NFL schedule this week.
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