5 Bold Predictions: Minnesota Vikings vs. Green Bay Packers – Week 16

Diggs will get his revenge against Alexander

A lot of the blame for the Week 2 loss in Green Bay was centered around Kirk Cousins. But a big reason for Cousins’ issues was a meltdown by Stefon Diggs.

With Jaire Alexander enjoying an early-season breakout party at the talented receiver’s expense, Diggs had a rare drop and let Alexander get in his head, triggering an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for ripping off his helmet after a 52-yard touchdown.

While Diggs’ penalty was another turning point in the game, Pro Football Focus also deemed just two of his seven targets during the matchups as “catchable,” which may have also played a part in the receiver voicing his frustrations with the offense just two weeks later.

Since the Week 2 meeting, Diggs has been one of the best receivers in the NFL. Even as Adam Thielen missed time with a hamstring injury, Diggs was on the warpath racking up 986 yards in the 12 games since and he’s on the way to a new single-season career-high in receiving yards entering Monday’s game.

Even as the Packers’ pass defense has improved this season, Alexander still ranks seventh in the NFL in receiving yards allowed in coverage and he has allowed more touchdowns (three) than interceptions (two). With the struggles of Kevin King on the other side (who has allowed the second-most yards with 830), Diggs should be able to make a big play at some point, which could turn this rematch into something more like the last time Alexander visited U.S. Bank Stadium.