Mike's Mid-Week Chat: How big is this Week 2 game against the Vikings?

[Cheesehead]

I really liked the double play action on the long (wobbly) pass to MVS. That big play is exactly what I envisioned this offense to look like when I heard who our new coach was and the tree he comes from. Is it your opinion based on the practices you have seen that this offense will look more like that than the majority of the game?


You have to pick and choose your places to take shots. A lot of times shots downfield only open up when the defense has committed to stopping something else that's been working. The Packers had nothing going for them the first quarter and used the shot play as a spark to get going. It worked, but you don't want to need a 50-yard bomb every week to finally do something positive.


Do you believe that if the packers have a top ten defense the whole season, the packers are favorites in the NFC?


I think if the Packers' defense plays to this level, they'll put themselves in position in the NFC North. Get on top of the division first and worry about the rest way, way down the road.


Did the Packers have both King and Alexander on the field for both Viking games?


Last year? They were on the field together for the first 2 or 2 1/2 quarters of the Week 2 game last year, then King exited and Cousins went off. The second game last year King did not play.


Hey Mike! Love your insight sir. Do you think the Packers will run the ball a lot more than previous meetings with the Vikings?


I sure think they're gonna try, because being able to run the ball is the best way to slow down that pass rush. And if you can slow down the pass rush and force them to bring extra rushers to get pressure, that's when Rodgers can find a matchup on the back end to go after.


Does the defense take a similar stance that it did against Chicago and try to make Cousins "play quarterback?" It seems like the Vikings tried to keep the ball out of his hands last Sunday.


They didn't need to throw the ball with a 21-0 lead in the second quarter (eventually 28-0 in the second half), so why put anything on film for your next opponents to see? They still have plenty of unscouted looks they can throw at the Packers in their passing game.


The Vikings will indubitably try to force Dalvin Cook up our throats. What or who is the key to stopping their running game?


Stay in your gap on the outside runs and then don't miss tackles. He's quick and powerful, so he's tough to bring down. If you're the free guy not being blocked, you can't miss the tackle.


What 1 on 1 matchup up front do the Packers need to win to get the run game going?


It's not about 1-on-1 matchups to run the ball. It's about the entire offensive line moving in sync, taking care of their assignments, and the back making the right read and cut. Running the ball is a group effort.


Hi Mike - It was a great defensive win last week! What aspect or stat do you think needs to be MOST improved on offense in order to have success this week? Besides the obvious answer of every aspect


Third downs. 2-for-12 is how you only score 10 points. I don't see the Packers winning regularly going 2-for-12 on third down.


Hi Mike, Do you expect to see more action through Vitale this week? It seem that they worked on this quite a bit in training camp.


Everything is game-plan specific. Vitale is one of those versatile players who will be featured in the game plans some weeks, not so much others depending on how the coaches feel they can move the ball most effectively.


How can Minnesota's o line be exploited this game? I feel like that will be one of the keys to a W this weekend.


Based on the small sample size in Week 1, they're a better run-blocking unit than pass-blocking one. Cousins only had 10 pass attempts, but PFF had the Falcons with five pressures, and he was sacked once. So you have to stop the run and then work on getting pressure.


I couldn’t find who the captains were last week. Are we just not doing them this year?


It was Rodgers and Adams on offense, Z. Smith and Amos on defense (I think) and Crosby for special teams.


Hi Mike, The Bears result and the performances of the recent acquisitions has proved to me that Brian Gutekunst is the real deal as GM. Any personal experiences with Gutey that hinted as to the caliber of the man?


I used to bump into him on walks across the street to training camp practices in years past, and it was always fun to just talk to him about the rookies and what he was seeing so far. He's a genuine guy who always has his eye on everything. He doesn't miss things.


Do you think a couple of big drives by the offense is all that’s needed for the new system to click in?


I thought the drive for the FG in Chicago in the fourth quarter, starting from their own 4-yard line, was impressive work by the Packers. That was a key drive at a clutch time. Mix of run and pass, rhythm plays for the most part. Drives like those are the starting point for me, moreso than the big plays down the field, even though those obviously are a huge help too.


Where was Geronimo Allison last week? It seems like MVS has passed him on the WR depth chart with the TEs eating any other targets


Allison will get his chances. I'm not too worried about that. Working in all the TEs into the passing game was important the first week. It gives defenses more to prepare for and is a change from last year.


Hi Mike! Who are the players on the Vikings defensive front to contain the most? I expect huge improvements from our O-line this week.


Griffen and Hunter are the most explosive pass rushers up front, and Joseph is a heckuva a run stopper. That's a group that expects to win one-on-one matchups more often than not. It's also a group very familiar to GB's offensive line. These guys know each other well.


In my opinion a team doesn’t trade for a player unless they really like the guy. What do you think the packers see in Goodson and what kind of a role can he have in this defense?


He's a run-stopping linebacker from everything I've heard, so we'll see if Pettine wants him in there to help defend Cook. The Packers shut down Chicago's run game with Greene as a hybrid LB next to Martinez, so we'll see if they have success with that approach again, or if Pettine has to adjust.


Rodgers deep ball to MVS was thrown to an open spot on the field with a look off to the safety. Perhaps this is why it was reported as a "duck"?


Rodgers stepped to his left and threw deep down the middle. Hard to throw a perfect spiral that way. The whole point was for it to be a one-on-one ball, and if your tall receiver has leverage, the ball doesn't have to be perfect.


Would you start with the offense or defense this week if we won the coin toss?


I'd put my defense on the field after the way the unit played last week.