5 Bold Predictions: Minnesota Vikings vs. Green Bay Packers – Week 17
By Chris Schad
Za’Darius Smith and Danielle Hunter will terrorize Aaron Rodgers
One of the biggest keys in the Vikings’ Week 1 win over the Packers was their ability to get pressure on Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers was pressured on just 28.9 percent of his dropbacks in that game, but he posted a 0.0 passer rating on these plays as Za’Darius Smith and Danielle Hunter combined for seven pressures and two sacks.
This has been a trend for the Packers this season, as Rodgers has looked mortal when under pressure. His 65.2 passer rating under pressure this season ranks 23rd out of 36 qualifying passers and is a steep decline from his 2020 MVP season, where he ranked third with an 89.3 passer rating.
The good news is that the Packers have done a good job of protecting Rodgers, as his 26.2 pressure rate is the fourth-lowest in the NFL, but Green Bay is dealing with injuries along the offensive line. David Bakhtiari, Elgton Jenkins, and Yosh Nijman were limited participants in Wednesday’s practice, and if any of them can’t go, it should open an area for the Vikings to attack.
Getting pressure on Rodgers should be a top priority and one the Vikings should accomplish on Sunday afternoon.