Minnesota Vikings: 5 Bold predictions for Week 2 vs. Packers

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - SEPTEMBER 09: Harrison Smith #22 of the Minnesota Vikings celebrates after recovering a fumbled ball in the second quarter of the game against the San Francisco 49ers at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - SEPTEMBER 09: Harrison Smith #22 of the Minnesota Vikings celebrates after recovering a fumbled ball in the second quarter of the game against the San Francisco 49ers at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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Minnesota Vikings
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – SEPTEMBER 09: Everson Griffen #97 of the Minnesota Vikings celebrates after sacking Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers in the first half of the game at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images) /

5. Defense limits Packers to 200 yards passing

The discussion about whether or not Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers will play in Week 2 against Minnesota seems silly. We all know there’s an incredibly slim chance he doesn’t play this weekend.

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Yes, he was clearly in pain after suffering a leg injury during the Week 1 game against Chicago. Even so, he was able to play on his injured leg then despite being carted out early in the game. Unless he suddenly needs surgery, he’ll do the same this week.

That doesn’t mean the Vikings can’t get the best of him. They forced three interceptions out of Garoppolo and now this suffocating defense has their sights set on Rodgers.

He orchestrated a massive comeback against the Bears, but the pass rush had died down some. Maybe if newly acquired defensive end Khalil Mack had been with the team a few weeks longer, he wouldn’t have been on a snap count and could have capitalized on that.

The Vikings however, can. They’re loaded with pass rushers and will bring the heat on a hobbled Rodgers. In the end, look for them to slow down the passing attack immensely and keep the Packers to roughly 200 yards through the air.