The Green Bay Packers aim to end the Minnesota Vikings’ perfect 3-0 start in this divisional showdown set for Sunday.
The Packers expect to have Jordan Love back after he missed the last two games recovering from a knee injury. Backup Malik Willis did an excellent job filling in for Love, leaning on the run game and well-designed game plans by head coach Matt LaFleur.
After six years of Kirk Cousins, the Vikings handed the keys over to Sam Darnold in 2024. Darnold has looked reinvigorated in Minnesota, frequently targeting stud receiver Justin Jefferson and handing the ball off to former Green Bay running back Aaron Jones.
Defensively, the Vikings have been stout against the run (T-2nd in the NFL), while the Packers lead the league in interceptions and takeaways.
In addition to it being one of the NFL’s best rivalries, there’s a lot to like about this Week 4 meeting.
Here are three key matchups to watch out for:
CB Jaire Alexander vs. WR Justin Jefferson
This has become one of the best individual matchups in the league after Jefferson has gotten the best of Alexander in previous meetings, only for Alexander to turn around and shut down Jefferson in Week 17 of the 2022 season, hitting his patented “Griddy” celebration in the process. An injury to Jefferson and Alexander’s suspension robbed fans of this marquee matchup last season, but this year promises a high-stakes battle with both players at their peak. Totaling 273 receiving yards and three touchdowns through the first three games, Jefferson is off to another strong. On the other side, Alexander recorded his first career pick-six last week against the Tennessee Titans and might be starting to flourish in a new scheme. Get your popcorn ready for what will be a must-see matchup between Alexander and Jefferson on Sunday. (Note: Alexander missed practice Friday and has an uncertain playing status.)
DTs Devonte Wyatt and Kenny Clark vs C Garrett Bradbury
Wyatt is off to an impressive start in his third season, with three sacks in three games and a team-high nine pressures. Meanwhile, Clark has been relatively quiet to start the year, having not registered a sack or a single QB hit. However, the tides could change this week for Clark going up against a familiar foe. Clark has had some success against Bradbury in recent meetings, and this one comes when he could use a confidence boost. Wyatt could also exploit this matchup against Minnesota’s center, who has given up ten pressures, the second most at the position. Bradbury’s status is still up in the air after missing Wednesday’s practice and being limited on Thursday due to an ankle injury. If they face a backup, Wyatt and Clark could be licking their chops even more.
HC Matt LaFleur vs DC Brian Flores
Over these past two weeks, LaFleur solidified his place as one of the best offensive minds in the game. Winning with your backup quarterback, but LaFleur made it look very achievable by crafting an executable game plan and playing to the player’s strengths. This week, LaFleur has work cut out for him as he faces one of the best defensive minds in the game. Flores is excellent at disguising coverages and generating pressure in creative ways to cause disruption. LaFleur’s scheme is a well-oiled machine when Love and company are firing on all cylinders. However, that could be difficult to realize on Sunday against a defense predicated on causing chaos for the offense. As much as this game will be about the players on the field, it will also be a chess match between LaFleur and Flores.