Green Bay Packers expert Freddie Boston believes Jordan Love may have to be the one to carry an unsettled offense against the Minnesota Vikings in Sunday’s season opener, with injuries threatening to turn Green Bay’s offensive line into Brian Flores’ favorite kind of puzzle.
For the view from Green Bay, The Viking Age spoke with Boston, FanSided’s NFL lead editor and Lombardi Ave. expert.
"The Packers have high hopes for Jordan Love and their streamlined receiving corps this season, but uncertainty along the offensive line should have alarm bells ringing inside the walls of 1265 Lombardi Ave.," Boston said.
Starting right tackle Zach Bako-Bewele and left guard Aaron Banks were both limited Wednesday with knee injuries, according to the Packers’ initial injury report. Neither player has received a game designation yet, but we'll know more on Friday.
"Facing a Brian Flores defense is already a daunting enough task," Boston added. "Now, the Packers have two starters in jeopardy of missing Week 1."
Minnesota Vikings can force Jordan Love to carry the Green Bay Packers' offense
Green Bay’s healthy receiving corps gives Love enough weapons to make Minnesota pay. But the protection issues give Flores a matchup he should attack from the first snap.
“The Packers could have to start fifth-round rookie Jager Burton at left guard, Jacob Monk, who has one career start, at right guard, and struggling second-rounder Anthony Belton at right tackle.
That’s a frightening proposition against Andrew Van Ginkel, Dallas Turner, and Jalen Redmond, especially with Flores creating chaos with a heavy dose of disguises and blitzes.”
Flores can overload Green Bay’s protection without actually bringing everyone. He can crowd the line, force Green Bay’s blockers to declare their assignments, then drop defenders into coverage and rush from somewhere else. With Harrison Smith back, Minnesota can again pair his late rotations with Josh Metellus’ movable role.
Love has seen this defense enough to know it. He called Minnesota’s looks “exotic” and acknowledged that one wrong protection call leaves a free rusher headed directly for him.
Green Bay’s inexperienced backfield further compounds things.
"It's also a big game for running backs MarShawn Lloyd and Kaleb Johnson, two former third-rounders who undoubtedly have potential but have a combined 34 career carries," Boston said. "Can they get anything going on the ground and play their part in pass protection? Time will tell."
MarShawn Lloyd and former Steelers third-round pick Kaleb Johnson have little experience, and Flores will test their pass-protection rules just as aggressively as he tests the linemen. If either back misses an assignment, Dallas Turner’s expanded role could pay off immediately.
"The Packers may need some Love magic to keep the offense on track in Week 1."
Love is talented enough to beat pressure with quick throws and explosive completions. But if the Vikings can’t disrupt this version of Green Bay’s protection plan inside a loud U.S. Bank Stadium, they'll have wasted the friendliest matchup Flores is likely to get all season.
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