The Vikings’ clearest route to slowing the Packers in Week 1 starts before the ball is even snapped.
Minnesota’s answer is Brian Flores and his pressure package, and the timing could not be better with Harrison Smith back in the mix. Green Bay is walking into this matchup with a reshuffled offensive line, fresh starters in new spots and a few health questions hanging over the group. That’s exactly the kind of setup Flores likes to attack.
The Packers moved on from left tackle Rasheed Walker and released Elgton Jenkins after his broken leg. Sean Rhyan is set to be the full-time center, Jordan Morgan has shifted to left tackle and Jacob Monk is taking over at right guard.
On top of that, Aaron Banks and Zach Bako-Bewele are dealing with knee concerns. For a line that already had a difficult job, this makes the task even messier.
Smith does not have to be on the field for every snap to matter. At 37, he can still tilt a game just by forcing Jordan Love to account for him. Put Smith next to Joshua Metellus and Love has two possible rush threats to sort out before he can even get to the rest of the defense.
That’s where Flores can really start to toy with Green Bay. He does not need to blitz to create chaos.
He can load the line, crowd the box with Smith and Metellus and threaten both A-gaps before the snap. From there, either safety can come, sink underneath or spin deep after Love sets the protection.
Until the ball is snapped, the Packers are guessing.
That is a brutal assignment for an offensive line projected to start three players in new roles, with two starters who sat out the entire preseason.
Dallas Turner looks like the biggest winner if Minnesota can keep Green Bay occupied up front. His eight sacks and 42 pressures last season pointed to a breakout that the Vikings can reasonably expect to keep building on. If the Packers are too busy trying to sort out Smith and Metellus, Turner should get more chances to attack one-on-one.
Smith’s presence also gives Metellus more freedom to roam. When a defense is winning early downs, it can use either safety as a blitzer or a robber without tipping its hand to Love too soon. Andrew Van Ginkel, Jalen Redmond and perhaps Kyle Van Noy add even more options around them.
Of course, Love can make this whole plan backfire if he identifies the pressure and gets the ball out on time. Minnesota’s disguise game will leave Green Bay with chances if the rush arrives late.
Still, that is the challenge the Vikings want to present. If Love and a rebuilt line can sort through Smith, Metellus and Flores in a loud U.S.
Bank Stadium, they will have earned it. Minnesota is not planning to make it easy.
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Kick return duties could be the quickest way for Claiborne to get on the field, and that would fit the kind of multi-purpose value teams want from a late-round pick. The Vikings are still sorting out how he might fit into the offense as well, but special teams offers an immediate opening and a chance to turn his explosiveness into something more tangible while he waits for a bigger role in the backfield. [Read more 🡒]