Green Bay Packers: 5 Players to watch vs. Vikings in Week 2

GREEN BAY, WI - DECEMBER 24: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers rushes for a touchdown during the second quarter of a game of a game against the Minnesota Vikings at Lambeau Field on December 24, 2016 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
GREEN BAY, WI - DECEMBER 24: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers rushes for a touchdown during the second quarter of a game of a game against the Minnesota Vikings at Lambeau Field on December 24, 2016 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
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GREEN BAY, WI – DECEMBER 03: Clay Matthews #52 of the Green Bay Packers leaves the field following a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Lambeau Field on December 3, 2017 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Green Bay defeated Tampa Bay 26-20 in overtime. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
GREEN BAY, WI – DECEMBER 03: Clay Matthews #52 of the Green Bay Packers leaves the field following a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Lambeau Field on December 3, 2017 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Green Bay defeated Tampa Bay 26-20 in overtime. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

Clay Matthews, Linebacker

If anyone had a worse game than Clay Matthews last Sunday night, please let me know. Matthews was practically useless for the Green Bay Packers defense all night long. Not only did he play very poorly, the one play he made almost cost the Packers the game.

On fourth down, after the Packers finally took the lead, it appeared the Packers stopped the Bears for the last time. However, a roughing the passer penalty was called on Matthews who clearly hit Bears quarterback Mitch Trubisky well after the throw was attempted.

On top of that, Matthews recorded just one tackle in the game and allowed Trubisky to run into the end zone after making a bad read from earlier in the game.

Matthews needs to step up and be a leader of the Packers defense in Week 2. The Packers are already thin with edge rushers. Another performance like last Sunday night will not help at all. Getting pressure on the quarterback was an issue last week, it can’t be this week.

This Vikings offense is unlike what the Packers have seen in the past. The addition of Kirk Cousins is what Minnesota needed; a competent quarterback. I doubt Matthews will have another game like he had last week, but it has been a while since he was a force on the field. Let that change this Sunday.