❚ Gameday: Five things to watch, rosters, statistics,
RUNNING COLD: The disparity between run and pass for the Packers’ offense is startling: 38 running back carries and 87 pass plays. Granted, the Packers were in catch-up mode in the second half of the Chicago game, but that doesn’t excuse 21 running back attempts and 46 passing plays against Minnesota. The return of Aaron Jones from a two-game suspension should give coach Mike McCarthy motivation to call more runs. But he said during the week he was going to bring Jones back slowly.
NOT SO MARKED MEN: The only team to shadow wide receiver Davante Adams with its best corner is the Minnesota Vikings, who put Xavier Rhodes on him anytime he lined up outside. Washington has a shutdown corner in Josh Norman, but Adams doesn’t see the veteran corner following him wherever he goes. “Sometimes he wants to go inside, sometimes he doesn’t,” Adams said of Norman. Adams doesn’t seem to care who is covering him. In two games, he has 13 catches for 152 yards and two touchdowns.
PRIME-TEAM PLAYER: With Kevin King (groin) declared out, it seems likely rookie Jaire Alexander will start on the outside along with Tramon Williams. The coaches will have the option of moving Alexander inside and putting either Josh Jackson or Davon House outside when they go to nickel or dime coverage. The way defensive coordinator Mike Pettine sees it, he’s not losing much by starting a rookie in place of King.
NOT JOSHING: After both Ha Ha Clinton-Dix and Kentrell Brice came up short on a couple of Vikings passing touchdowns, there’s a possibility that second-year safety Josh Jones will garner some snaps. Jones returned from an ankle injury this week, and while he’s listed as questionable, he seemed to think he would be playing. Passing game coordinator Joe Whitt said he was looking for some tough, mean guys and Jones plays that way. His problem has been assignment certainty. If he’s not in the right place at the right time, he can be as mean and tough as he wants and it won’t make a difference.
HOME-FIELD ADVANTAGE: Last week, attendance at FedEx Field was announced at 57,013, an all-time low for the 82,000-seat stadium, but numerous reports stated it was much lower than that. What it means for this game is an abundance of Packers fans in the stands.