5 Bold Predictions: Minnesota Vikings vs. Green Bay Packers – Week 17
By Chris Schad
Dozier will allow at least five pressures
The Vikings’ woes along the offensive line have grown over the past couple of weeks. Mason Cole landed on injured reserve with an elbow injury, paving the way for Oli Udoh to re-join the starting lineup. But Udoh has been forced to the sideline after being placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list this week and his status for Sunday night is up in the air.
Losing the NFL’s penalty leader sounds like addition by subtraction, but it’s not an upgrade when the Vikings might have to turn to Dakota Dozier.
The NFL’s champion of pressures allowed by guards in 2019, Dozier blasts a big hole in the Vikings offensive line. Even worse, he’ll go up against Kenny Clark, who tallied five pressures in their Week 11 meeting.
With Garrett Bradbury reverting to his old form, the Vikings are too small to stop the Packers’ interior pass rush. That could lead to another obstacle to overcome on Sunday night and a more run-oriented approach by Klint Kubiak’s offense.