After a two-game road stretch, the Packers are back home at Lambeau Field to take on the division rival Minnesota Vikings. Here are six things to look for heading into Sunday’s NFC North matchup: 

1. Packers Starting Games Strong

The Packers are the only team in the NFL to score points on every one of their opening drives this season. Of their six opening drives, they’ve kicked four field goals and scored two touchdowns. 

The Vikings are giving up an average of 32 points per game, ranking 30th in the NFL with 192 points against through six games. The Packers, on the other hand, are ranked second in points for with 197, averaging 32.8 points per game. 

2. LaFleur Undefeated in the NFC North

Head Coach Matt LaFleur enters Sunday’s matchup against the Vikings undefeated in the NFC North with a record of 8-0. When the Packers swept the North in 2019, not only was it something Green Bay hadn’t done since 2011, but it’s something no other NFC North foe has done since the division’s inception in 2002 (and the Packers have now done it twice). 

Strangely, the Packers will have seen the Vikings twice before facing the Bears even once this season, and the Bears sit at 5-2. After the Week 8 matchup at home against Minnesota, the Packers won’t see a division opponent again until Week 12 on Sunday Night Football against the Bears at Lambeau. Then, they’ll take on the Lions at Ford Field in Week 14 before ending the season in Chicago at Soldier Field in Week 17, where the Packers have plenty of fond memories. 

3. Adams on Pace for Career Bests

Through his four games played this season, Davante Adams is posting some career-best statistics. Right now, Adams is putting up a whopping 112.3 yards per game. His previous career best was in 2018 when he averaged 92.4 yards per game. Additionally, his catch percentage has improved significantly. While he completed around 65% of his catches in 2018 and 2019, he’s currently sitting at a catch percentage of 78.3%. Taking this even further, his yards per target is also at a career high at 9.8, with his previous high being 8.2 in 2018. 

Things look great for Adams in this second matchup against the Vikings, as Minnesota’s starting three cornerbacks are questionable for Sunday’s game. In Week 1, Adams hauled in 14 receptions for 156 yards and two touchdowns. The Vikings defense has allowed a 110.4 rating (29th in the NFL) and a completion percentage of 68.2%. If you thought Adams had a dominant showing in Houston last week, it’s possible his numbers are even better on Sunday at Lambeau Field. 

4. Offensive Line Shines Despite Shuffling 

Aaron Rodgers has only been sacked seven times through six games, which is the fewest sacks he’s taken in his 13 years as a starting quarterback. And, all of this is happening with musical chairs taking place along the offensive line. 

In Week 1, the Packers opened the game with starting left guard Elgton Jenkins at right tackle. Lane Taylor left the game with a season-ending injury, and even rookie sixth-round draft pick Jon Runyan Jr. took snaps along the line. The Packers didn’t give up a single sack.

Last week against the Texans, the Packers started Billy Turner at left tackle in place of David Bakhtiari, with Rick Wagner at right tackle. Once again, the Packers didn’t give up a single sack. 

Outside of the four-game sack outlier against the Buccaneers, this offensive line, regardless of who’s playing, has protected Rodgers well. With a depleted Vikings front seven missing newly-traded Yannick Ngakoue, Danielle Hunter, and Anthony Barr, look for more of the same this week even if Bakhtiari can’t play for a second straight game.

5. Welcome to Jaire’s Private Island

Jaire Alexander has absolutely shut opposing receivers down this season. Look at some of these numbers per Next Gen Stats. Against Atlanta, Alexander covered Calvin Ridley on 23 routes, was targeted five times, and allowed zero catches. Against the Buccaneers, he faced Mike Evans on 18 routes, was targeted once, and allowed zero catches. Sensing a theme? Last week in Houston, Alexander was on Will Fuller for 28 routes, was targeted once, and allowed, again, zero catches. 

Enter a wide receiver in the Offensive Rookie of the Year conversation, Justin Jefferson. In his NFL debut Week 1, he was targeted three times and hauled in two receptions for 26 yards. Since then, Jefferson has exploded onto the scene and become Kirk Cousins’ preferred target. He leads the Vikings with 537 yards and has three touchdowns on the season. This is going to be a fun matchup to watch. 

6. Cousins Sending Gifts

Kirk Cousins currently is tied for the league-lead in interceptions thrown thus far this season with 10. He’s thrown 11 touchdowns and has taken 14 sacks. On the flip side of that, the Packers defense has only forced four turnovers through six weeks, and one of those came Week 1 against Cousins when Alexander had an interception. 

Cousins will give Green Bay opportunities, but it’s up to the players to capitalize. They’ve had chances the last few weeks to snag picks, but balls have simply bounced the wrong way. Last season, the Packers had 41 sacks, forced 12 fumbles, and had 17 interceptions. 

In 2020, the defense is on pace for five interceptions, 13 forced fumbles, and 40 sacks, the stark difference coming in the INT column. The saying goes “turnovers come in bunches” and it’s time for the Packers to force a few against a 1-5 Vikings team with the NFL’s interception leader at the helm.