Nov 24, 2024; Green Bay, WI, USA; (Editors Note: Hand gestures) Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs (8) celebrates scoring a touchdown with wide receiver Bo Melton (80) against the San Francisco 49ers during their football game Sunday, November 24, 2024, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Mandatory Credit: Dan Powers-Imagn Images.
The Minnesota Vikings are set to play the Green Bay Packers for the second time this season. Kevin O’Connell’s team has already knocked off Jordan Love and Matt LaFleur’s squad once this year. If they are going to do it again, they’ll need a different gameplan. This time around, they have a complete tandem.
This season, the Minnesota Vikings have had one of the best rush defenses in the league. That hasn’t been as true lately, but they completely shut down the Seattle Seahawks. Running back Kenneth Walker III managed just 31 yards, and the team contributed only 59. That took place despite not having Ivan Pace Jr.
Blake Cashman missed time this year, and Pace Jr. has missed time, too. The first time Minnesota faced Green Bay, they did so without their 2023 standout. Cashman has been a great free agent signing for Minnesota, but he hasn’t consistently been given the help of Pace Jr. That looks like it will change on Sunday.
Minnesota announced that the practice window for their starting linebacker has opened, and he has a chance to start against the Packers. That’s a huge boost, given the talent of Green Bay running back Josh Jacobs. Minnesota held him in check the first time around, but this was largely due to the game flow dictated by an early deficit.
In the last few weeks, Green Bay has had Jacobs rolling. If they are going to beat the Vikings, it will be partly because LaFleur can use the total complement of his offense. Love was injured the first time around and played through it. This time, he should expect closer to 100%, and any help Jacobs can provide will be a substantial boost.
Minnesota must be locked into Jacobs and Green Bay’s ability to run the football. Both Cashman and Pace Jr. being able to play together is quite a nice reality for Brian Flores. If the Vikings want to finish the year as one of the best run defenses in the league, then slowing down Jacobs in this contest is a must.
It can be the Cashman and Pace Jr. show, and Minnesota will probably need it to be if they are going to emerge victorious.
Ted Schwerzler is a blogger from the Twin Cities that is focused on all things Minnesota Twins and Minnesota Vikings. He’s active on Twitter and writes daily for Minnesota Sports Fan. As a former college athlete and avid sports fan, covering our pro teams with a passion has always seemed like such a natural outlet.