O-line play (and health) keys as Packers face leaky Vikings defense

The only team giving up more yards per game than the Minnesota Vikings just gave up a bazillion yards to Sam Darnold and Chuba Hubbard (numbers approximate). In fact, the Vikings defense allows the same number of yards the Buffalo Bills offense averages with an MVP candidate quarterback. But with Za’Darius Smith joining the boys in purple, Minnesota has the kind of pass rush to create negative plays to offset some of what it gives up. Protecting Aaron Rodgers so he can take advantage of this leaky Vikings defense provides the Packers with the best chance to win a pivotal NFC North showdown.

Against the blitz-happy Dolphins, the Packers front held up remarkably well even without David Bakhtiari heading into the game and losing Yosh Nijman midway through it. Aaron Rodgers has torched the blitz the last few weeks and has returned to form when facing pressure after starting off the season slowly when the pocket got muddy.

Part of that, an essential piece, is protection.