As expected, one of the biggest questions about the Green Bay Packers’ showdown with the rival Minnesota Vikings this Sunday is whether or not the Pack can limit a star receiver in a purple jersey to make the offense one-dimensional.
What is unexpected is which receiver we’re talking about.
Jordan Addison’s performance was one of the primary factors in Minnesota’s surprising victory over the San Francisco 49ers on Monday night. It’s a continuation of a recent trend that has the Minnesota offense carrying the bulk of the load despite the team’s longer history as a defensive powerhouse. At the same time, the Packers have seen a similar reversal of fortune, with their once-unstoppable offense now taking a back seat to a dominant defensive unit.
Sunday’s game will likely come down to whether or not Green Bay’s defense can limit Minnesota’s passing attack. However, both teams are missing key players. Jefferson has been on injured reserve for the last two games and will not play in Green Bay, while the Packers placed Eric Stokes on IR Wednesday. Therefore, the biggest matchup in the passing game will be Jaire Alexander against Addison, Minnesota’s stud rookie receiver out of USC.
Addison had a breakout game against the San Francisco 49ers last week, but he greatly benefitted from Jefferson’s presence early in the season. Outside of Addison, their next top receivers are K.J. Osborn and Brandon Powell, guys who can be productive but are not star playmakers.
If the Packers can shut down Addison, it will force tight end T.J. Hockenson, Osborn, and Powell to step up in the passing game. If they are unable, then Minnesota’s offense will become one-dimensional and rely heavily on their struggling ground attack led by Alexander Mattison and Cam Akers.
Mattison has only 359 rushing yards this season on 90 carries, for an average of four yards per carry. That’s not enough to be the lead back on a team with a superior ground game. Their other, recently signed back, Akers, has only had 123 yards on 43 carries, averaging just under three yards per carry. This is not a backfield capable of carrying an offense. If the Packers can focus on limiting a receiving corps missing it’s biggest start, they will most likely shut down the Vikings offense.
That sounds simple enough, but teams have had trouble stopping Addison. He had seven receptions for 123 yards and two touchdowns, including a 60-yard catch, against San Francisco.
Remember, he did this without the threat of Jefferson on the field, effectively as a WR1. Addison has physicality in his hands, the speed to run great routes, and the determination to rip the ball away from a defender and take it to the house.
Addison has had 400 yards receiving and six touchdowns, but Alexander has been a shutdown defensive back. He hasn’t made any interceptions or forced fumbles. But he has given up only seven receptions, no scores, and he’s living up to his career expectations
Outside of Davante Adams, Addison will Alexander’s his biggest test for the remainder of this season (depending on Jefferson’s timetable for return). With a young receiver showing potential and Kirk Cousins throwing the ball, this will be a tougher game for Alexander, especially with Stokes out.
Alexander should be able to hold his own against Addison, considering that he shut down Jefferson the last time these two squads met in Week 17 of last season. Addison wasn’t on the team last year, but Alexander held Jefferson to one catch for seven yards.
The Vikings became one-dimensional in that game. The Packers got up on them early, forcing Minnesota to throw. The Vikings didn’t run the ball effectively. Mattison was their leading rusher and only had 38 yards.
A Packers win starts with Alexander shutting down Addison. Play him tight on the line of scrimmage, jam him at the start of his route, and be physical in coverage. Alexander can’t flat-out interfere with him, but he needs to play physically and can’t be afraid of some hand-fighting.
If the Vikings go to Hockenson, then the Packers will have to use either the safety unit or the linebacking core to pick up the tight end routes. Rasul Douglas should be able to handle Osborn or Powell. Green Bay’s front four should be able to shut down Minnesota’s running game.
Minnesota will challenge Green Bay’s defense this weekend. But it’s a good test against a solid unit to see if this defense has taken the next step.
