Vikings at Packers: Numbers, PFF Grades & Preview

  |  
Sep 15, 2018
Image courtesy of Vikings.com

The Minnesota Vikings (1-0) take on the Green Bay Packers (1-0) at Lambeau Field this Sunday at noon.

To say this rivalry is heated would be an understatement. Bad blood has been brewing since an Anthony Barr hit broke the collarbone of Aaron Rodgers in Week 6 last season. Without Rodgers under center, the Vikings went on to shut out the Packers at Lambeau in a Week 16 rout.

Fast forward to Sunday. Tomorrow’s game marks the first time since that fateful day last October that the Vikings face a healthy Rodgers. While the Barr/Rodgers talk has cooled as of late, the September showdown should stir up familiar feelings.

The Vikings defense, which added Sheldon Richardson, Mike Hughes and George Iloka this offseason, is coming off a strong Week 1 performance. After forcing three sacks, three interceptions and handing Jimmy Garoppolo his first career loss, the unit faces a more stringent test this week.

Rodgers is coming off an epic performance of his own. The 34 year-old suffered a knee injury in the first half of the season opener against the Bears. After halftime he rallied his team from 17 points down in an impressive comeback victory. He’ll likely play Sunday, albeit not at 100%, but with plenty of motivation.

Both teams prepare for battle knowing that they’re likely facing the biggest competition for the division crown. While it’s only Week 2 and the stats are raw, let’s take a look at how the teams stack up by the numbers.

MINNESOTA VIKINGS

  • The Vikings away record in 2018 is 0-0

Notable Pro Football Focus grades

  • QB Kirk Cousins: 71.4 (#13)
  • RB Dalvin Cook: 58.1 (#31)
  • WR Stefon Diggs: 63.0 (#45)
  • WR Adam Thielen: 76.0 (#11)
  • TE Kyle Rudolph: 55.4 (#37)
  • CB Xavier Rhodes: 82.1 (#11)
  • DE Danielle Hunter: 77.9 (#11)
  • DT Linval Joseph: 90.8 (#3)
  • DT Sheldon Richardson: 89.8 (#4)

2018 team offense

  • Total offense: 16th (343.0 YPG)
  • Passing: 17th (227.0 YPG)
  • Rushing: 14th (116.0 YPG)
  • Scoring: 12th (24.0 PPG)
  • Turnover ratio: 3rd (+3)
  • Third down conversions: 12th (41%)
  • Red zone percentage: 13th (50%)

2018 offensive leaders

  • Passing: QB Kirk Cousins: 244 yards with 2 TD’s and 0 INT’s
  • Rushing yards: RB Latavius Murray: 42
  • Receiving yards: WR Adam Thielen: 102
  • Receiving TD’s: WR Stefon Diggs and TE Kyle Rudolph: 1

2018 team defense

  • Total defense: 12th (327.0 YPG)
  • Passing: 18th (237.0 YPG)
  • Rushing: 8th (90.0 YPG)
  • Scoring: 6th (16.0 PPG)
  • Third-down conversions: 17th (38%)
  • Red zone percentage: 5th (25%)
  • Passing allowed to opposing QB’s: 261 yards with 1 TD & 3 INTs
  • Rushing allowed to opposing RB’s: 84 yards & 0 TD’s
  • Receiving allowed to opposing WR’s: 110 yards & 1 TD
  • Receiving allowed to opposing TE’s: 90 yards & 0 TD’s

2018 defensive leaders

  • Tackles: S Harrison Smith: 6
  • Sacks: S Harrison Smith and DE Danielle Hunter: 1
  • Interceptions: S Harrison Smith, CB Mike Hughes and CB Xavier Rhodes: 1

GREEN BAY PACKERS

The Packers made the following moves in a fairly eventful offseason:

  • Released veteran wide receiver Jordy Nelson
  • Signed tight end Jimmy Graham
  • Acquired defensive tackle Muhammed Wilkerson
  • Drafted cornerbacks Jaire Alexander and Josh Jackson
  • Brought back CBs Tramon Williams and Davon House
  • Signed quarterback Aaron Rodgers to a four-year extension
  • Named Joe Philbin offensive coordinator, Mike Pettine defensive coordinator
  • The Packers home record in 2018 is 1-0

Notable Pro Football Focus grades

  • QB Aaron Rodgers: 64.2 (#19)
  • WR Randall Cobb: 81.4 (#5)
  • WR Davante Adams: 80.0 (#8)
  • TE Jimmy Graham: 49.1 (#51)
  • T David Bakhtiari: 84.1 (#2)
  • CB Jaire Alexander: 76.2 (#18)
  • S Ha Ha Clinton-Dix: 70.4 (#25)
  • DL Mike Daniels: 85.3 (#8)
  • LB Clay Matthews: 29.8 (#95)

2018 team offense

  • Total offense: 11th (370.0 YPG)
  • Passing: 8th (301.0 YPG)
  • Rushing: 28th (69.0 YPG)
  • Scoring: 12th (24.0 PPG)
  • Turnover ratio: 23rd (-1)
  • Third-down conversions: 15th (38%)
  • Red zone percentage: 13th (50%)

2018 offensive leaders

  • Passing: QB Aaron Rodgers: 286 yards with 3 TD’s & 0 INT’s
  • Rushing yards: RB Jamaal Williams: 47
  • Receiving yards: WR Randall Cobb: 142
  • Receiving TD’s: WR Randall Cobb, WR Davante Adams, WR Geronimo Allison: 1

2018 team defense

  • Total defense: 6th (294.0 YPG)
  • Passing: 6th (155.0 YPG)
  • Rushing: 24th (139.0 YPG)
  • Scoring: 16th (23.0 PPG)
  • Third-down conversions: 20th (41%)
  • Red zone percentage: 5th (25%)
  • Passing allowed to opposing QB’s: 171 yards & 0 TD’s
  • Rushing allowed to opposing RB’s: 107 yards & 0 TD’s
  • Receiving allowed to opposing WR’s: 100 yards & 0 TD’s
  • Receiving allowed to opposing TE’s: 24 yards & 0 TD’s

2018 defensive leaders

  • Tackles: S Kentrell Brice: 59
  • Sacks: S Kentrell Brice, LB Nick Perry, DL Mike Daniels: 1
  • Interceptions: N/A
  • Sunday’s game is at noon (CST) and will be shown locally on FOX 9
  • Stats courtesy of NFL.com and Pro Football Reference
  • NEXT WEEK: Vikings vs. Bills
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