Coming off of a magical 35-31 victory over the Dallas Cowboys last Sunday, the Green Bay Packers ride into Minnesota atop the NFC North with a 4-1 record to face the Minnesota Vikings. Minnesota comes into this matchup at 3-2, seeking back to back victories for the first time this season. Green Bay’s last trip to Minnesota ended in a 17-14 heartbreaker in week two of last season. In order to avoid another upset, here are three week six Green Bay Packers keys to victory.
Week Six Green Bay Packers Keys To Victory
1- Keep The Crowd Out Of It
The Packers know all too well how raucous the Minnesota crowd can be in U.S. Bank Stadium. They were a victim of the noise last time they played in this stadium in it’s inaugural opening, as their offense seemed out of sync and managed only 14 points all night. Green Bay’s offense also struggled early and often against the Atlanta Falcons in week two of this season playing against a noisy crowd that was only fueled by Atlanta’s quick start. Scoring points early and often will be key in taking the crowd out of it and will put pressure on a struggling Vikings offense that may be without Sam Bradford once again this week. If not, it may be another long night for the Green Bay Packers in Minnesota.
2- Pound It With Aaron Jones
The Packers seemed to uncover a star in the making in Aaron Jones, who rushed 19 times last week against Dallas for 125 yards and a touchdown. He broke off a key 12 yard run on the final drive of the game that ended in Aaron Rodgers‘s game-winning touchdown pass to Davante Adams with 11 seconds to go. Jones looked like a veteran back, weaving through holes, making good cuts and running through tackles with ease. Establishing the ground game with Jones will be key in keeping the crowd out of it and keeping the ball in the possession of Green Bay. If Jones can keep up the kind of production he had last week, Ty Montgomery‘s job will be in grave danger.
3- Contain Stefon Diggs
The last time the Packers played the Vikings in Minnesota, Stefon Diggs had the best game of his career with nine receptions for 182 yards. In order to keep the Vikings from keeping pace with Green Bay’s deadly offensive attack, the Packers defense will have to neutralize the threat of Diggs, who is easily the best offensive playmaker the Vikings have.
If Diggs starts getting free in the secondary and taking over the game, that could spell big danger for Green Bay. He’s the Vikings’s only hope if they want to keep up with the potent attack that Rodgers and company have to offer.
Overall, the Packers will face another challenge on the road in Minnesota, but the Packers are clearly the better team with the better quarterback and are riding high off of that thriller in Dallas last week. So long as they don’t shoot themselves in the foot, Green Bay should take care of business.
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