Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley gives instruction during a drill with defensive backs on Saturday, July 27, 2024, at Ray Nitschke Field in Ashwaubenon, Wis. © Tork Mason / USA TODAY NETWORK.
Minnesota heads on the road to Green Bay, Wisconsin, for their first divisional matchup of the season. We should expect a heavyweight defensive battle ahead at Lambeau Field with two strong defensive units on show.
No division has more wins than the NFC North after three weeks of the season. The Vikings (3), Packers (2), Lions (2), and Bears (1) have combined for eight wins so far. I expected it to be a strong and closely fought division this season, and it’s proving that way so far. The division games will be huge, and the Vikings will need to do much better than their 2-4 record in the division of last season.
Lambeau Field is a tough place to win, but the Vikings managed it last season. There is going to be plenty of offensive talent on show for both, and whether each team’s offense can crack two of the league’s best-performing defenses will go a long way toward determining the winner.
The Packers have a new defensive coordinator this season, with Jeff Hafley replacing Joe Barry. It’s been an excellent start to the season for the new DC with his defense. After conceding 34 points to the Eagles in the opening game, Green Bay only allowed 10 points to the Colts and 16 points to the Titans. The Packers lead the league with seven interceptions (one for a touchdown), 11 sacks, and two forced fumbles and recoveries.
With starting quarterback Jordan Love injured in the opening-day loss to the Eagles, the Packers looked in a difficult spot. However, they responded by winning the next two games with Malik Willis under center and leaning heavily on their defense and run game. Love is back at practice in a limited fashion, but it is unclear at this stage if he will play on Sunday. Whichever quarterback plays, the Packers will still hope to lean heavily on their defense and run game.
Brian Flores has had his Vikings defense firing on all cylinders to start the season. Only the Pittsburgh Steelers have allowed fewer points than the Vikings’ total of 30 in the first three games. Minnesota leads the league with 16 sacks, 5 interceptions (one for a touchdown), and a forced fumble. The most exciting part of the Vikings’ defense is that it left some of the game’s best offensive coaches scratching their heads and admitting they didn’t know what was coming.
The way Flores has his unit using disguise and having players from all over the depth chart is the talk of the league. Matt LaFleur is one of the league’s best coaches, and it’s now his job to try to solve this Vikings defense. Like Kevin O’Connell did last season, LaFleur has shown he can win games when his starting QB goes down. It remains to be seen which QB will be under center on Sunday.
It’s going to be a fascinating matchup between two very well-coached teams. The guys on offense are trying to figure out how to get the better of two defenses that have been at the top of their game so far this season.