Key Matchups for Each NFC North Week 8 Game
Brady Vernon
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Minnesota Vikings (1-5) @ Green Bay Packers (5-1) (Sun. 1:00 PM EST, FOX)
BetQL betting lines: GB -6, O/U 50
Justin Jefferson versus Green Bay’s secondary not named Jaire Alexander
Look, simply put there’s no reason to believe that the Minnesota Vikings defense can stop, slow down, make a speed bump for the Green Bay Packers offense. For Minnesota to be competitive it’ll have to be a shootout.
When these two teams met in Week 1, the Vikings offense struggled outside of the fourth quarter. Rookie wide receiver Justin Jefferson had three targets against Green Bay in his debut. He’s been a completely different player since that game.
Jefferson comes in as PFF’s top rated wide receiver. Green Bay’s Jaire Alexander is PFF’s best rated cornerback. Alexander probably won’t shadow Adam Thielen the entire game, but rather the receiver not in the slot. Aside from Alexander, the Packers secondary has its own issues. Jefferson should be trusted to take advantage of good matchups and even to possibly make plays against Alexander.
Indianapolis Colts (4-2) @ Detroit Lions (3-3) (Sun. 1:00 PM EST, CBS)
BetQL betting lines: IND -3, O/U 49.5
Kenny Golladay versus Indianapolis cornerbacks
The Colts have had a tough defense thus far this season. It’s hard to imagine the Lions getting anything going on the ground against the fifth-best run defense in Football Outsider’s DVOA. Instead they should try to give Kenny Golladay as many opportunities to make plays as possible.
Indianapolis has been just as good against the pass as the run this season. However, the Lions should trust Matthew Stafford and Golladay to make plays rather than hoping Adrian Peterson and D’Andre Swift produce consistently running the football.
Xavier Rhodes and Kenny Moore have played well for the Colts. Golladay is still more talented at his position than those two are. Golladay should get at least 10 targets and three deep shots down the field in jump ball situations. Indianapolis doesn’t offer many opportunities to score, the Lions just need to let their playmakers win the game for them.
New Orleans Saints (4-2) @ Chicago Bears (5-2) (Sun. 4:25 PM EST, FOX)
BetQL betting lines: NO -5, O/U 42.5
Linebackers versus Alvin Kamara
New Orleans will be without wide receivers Michael Thomas, Emmanuel Sanders and Marquez Callaway on Sunday. Outside of Tre’Quan Smith. Drew Brees doesn’t have many options outside. This already looks to be an uptick in touches for Alvin Kamara, if that’s possible.
At the end of the day, Kamara is going to get his yards and work in the passing game. The Bears pass defense is far better than its run defense. The biggest goal for Chicago is stopping Kamara before he makes it into the second level. Chicago doesn’t have the offense to let Kamara carry the offense and create a ton of huge plays. If the star running back paper cuts the Bears to death then Chicago has to live with it.