By MARQUES EVERSOLL
When the Packers have the ball: Mike Zimmer has had some success against Aaron Rodgers and the Packers, but Zimmer’s personnel in Minnesota simply isn’t what it was in Cincinnati. And on top of that, his best linebacker Chad Greenway will miss another game with various injuries.
Minnesota addressed its secondary in the offseason, and it’s certainly an improved unit from a year ago. However, other than Harrison Smith, the Packers’ receivers should have an advantage over the Vikings’ cover men. The weather may slow down the Packers just a bit, but I still see the Packers scoring around 30 points.
When the Vikings have the ball: It’ll officially be Christian Ponder starting for Minnesota, as Teddy Bridgewater will miss tonight’s game with a bum ankle. The Vikings faced tough odds at Lambeau Field even if Bridgewater was able to play, and Ponder certainly doesn’t improve their odds tonight.
They’ll rely heavily on Matt Asiata and Jerick McKinnon, as they did last week against the Atlanta Falcons. The Packers are dead-last in the NFL against the run, but it’s impossible to be worse than the Falcons were last week in that department. Minnesota’s ground game may keep it close for a while, but they shouldn’t be able to match the Packers point-for-point.
Big Game Alert: Packers WR Randall Cobb
I think the Packers figured something out against the Bears last week. Jordy Nelson is the team’s best receiver, and he’s among the best in the league at his position, but Cobb is a great player in his own right. The Packers need to feed Cobb the football in order to be at their best, especially with their lack of production from the tight end position.
Cobb is the Packers’ key to attacking the middle of the field. Much like last week against the Bears, there are matchups for the Packers to take advantage of this week in that part of the field. It’ll be a wet field tonight, and while that may slow Cobb down, it’ll most definitely slow down the Vikings’ corners. I think the short passing game will be used plenty tonight.
PREDICTION: Packers 31, Vikings 13 (Record: 3-1)
The Packers’ offense looked like the Packers’ offense last week. I think Cobb will cause nightmares with short routes from the slot, and Eddie Lacy should be better than he’s been. Teddy Bridgewater had a slight chance of pulling off an upset, but Ponder stands no chance. In my opinion.
You can hear Marques on SportsLine, Monday through Friday 4:00-6:00pm on WDUZ 107.5 FM and 1400 AM “The Fan” and on the Saturday Morning Showcase at 8 am on Saturdays. You can follow him on Twitter @MJEversoll and/or email him at [email protected].
