Monday’s matchup against the Minnesota Vikings is another installment of “stoppable force meets movable object.”

Kirk Cousins can’t win on Monday Night Football – Cousins has zero wins in eight contests.

The Packers also can’t win at Minnesota’s new U.S. Bank Stadium. The glass architecture hasn’t been just a bird killer; it’s also served as a Packer killer, too.

One of those streaks has to end. So which one will?

After a disappointing 8-7-1 record in 2018, Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer took over the offensive reins and hired Gary Kubiak to oversee the rebuilding of the run game. Zimmer received heavy criticism early in the season for his stubborn insistence on featuring running back Dalvin Cook over the likes of Stefon Diggs and Adam Theilen in the passing game. At this point, though, Zimmer appears vindicated.

Like the Packers, the Vikings prefer to attack defenses with a zone rushing attack and utilize play action off of it. As a result, Kirk Cousins is playing some of his best football of his career. Combined with the sixth-ranked defense, the Vikings are once again a playoff-caliber football team.

In a sense, if there’s one thing the Vikings have that the Packers lack is a clear offensive identity. Zimmer’s mandate to run the ball has given his team a clear foundation and approach, perhaps the thing the Packers are still searching for as their offense ebbs and flows between dynamic and lethargic.

On Monday, the Packers will once again get to see if the “ugly” approach can – like a cockroach at Chernobyl or a Travolta at a disco – keep their winning ways staying alive.

Either way, Monday will be a great test for this Packers team. They’ve exceeded expectations up to this point. Can they level up one more time? The NFC North is on the line.

Film notes

Middle linebacker Eric Kendricks is such an important part of the Vikings’ defense. He’s instinctual and fast. He closes space on runs to the perimeter. Kendricks’ range versus Aaron Jones will be a cat-and-mouse game to watch.
Rookie tight end Irv Smith Jr. is receiving more attention from Kirk Cousins. Though Kyle Rudolph is the veteran who’s the better blocker, Smith can stretch the field and serves as a useful red zone option.
The Vikings’ offensive approach is sound. They’re a dedicated zone run scheme, and they frequently use play-action off the run. Cousins plays well within the structure of the offense, though he’s still capable of making the type of silly mistakes that could make extending him in Minnesota harder than it needs to be.
To that point, Cousins has arguably had a better season than Aaron Rodgers, and one reason why is that he’s quick to throw the ball, getting it into his playmakers’ hands.
As aforementioned, Cousins can throw some head-scratchers. Against the Chargers, he tossed a ball right into the arms of a defensive lineman on a screen. He should have lived to see another play as the Chargers had a good read on the Vikings’ intentions. An opportunistic Packers’ defense should have its opportunities.
The Vikings have two good edge rushers, but the Packers’ biggest concern is Danielle Hunter. If he hasn’t taken the mantle as the teams’ best pass rusher, Hunter should have it now. He’s fast and powerful. He drove the Chargers’ right tackle into the face of Philip Rivers, causing a fumble, which was returned for a touchdown.
Cousins likes throwing those 10-yard stick routes on the hash. They’re quick reads, and given the Packers’ inability to cover the middle of the field, it’s safe to think the safety valves will be there.
Third-string running back Michael Boone could realistically carry the load for the Vikings on Monday with Dalvin Cook out and second-string running back Alexander Mattison’s status uncertain. Boone has good burst. He’s not as smooth through the hole as Cook, but, as third-string running backs go, you could do a lot worse. He’s shifty in traffic and plays with enough muscle to break arm tackles and run through corners.
Mike Zimmer’s defense plays assignment-sound football. Both Kendricks and fellow off-ball linebacker Anthony Barr react to their coverage assignments quickly. Kendricks covered up Austin Ekeler last weekend down the field, which is a testament to his coverage ability. Ekeler gave the Packers’ fits this season.
The Chargers found success when they could get a receiver covered by weakside linebacker Eric Wilson. Look for Matt LaFleur to try to create similar matchups when the Vikings go with three off-ball linebackers.
Something to keep an eye one: the Vikings are relying more upon second-year corner Mike Hughes and Trae Waynes. Xavier Rhodes is getting older and has struggled with injuries. The Vikings’ pass defense ranks 20th in the league. The secondary is probably why.