3 Defensive keys for the Vikings in Week 10 against the Packers

The Minnesota Vikings' defense has been on a heater since the second half of the season-opener against the Green Bay Packers. After the Packers seemed to have an answer for everything Brian Flores threw at them in the first half, the Vikings shut down Jordan Love and the Green Bay offense in the final 20 minutes to help secure the 39-22 win.Can Minnesota's defense replicate that performance at Lambeau Field on Sunday? LB Blake Cashman hasn't practiced this week after suffering a concussion in Monday's loss to the Buffalo Bills. But could the Kirk Cousins trade benefit the Vikings' defense as much as the offense?Minnesota's defense played over 42 minutes in Monday's loss. That was despite only 4.3 yards per play on 79 snaps. Meanwhile, the Vikings' offense failed to convert any of its eight third-down and two fourth-down attempts.Here are three keys to Minnesota's defense in its Week 10 matchup against Green Bay.Defensive keys for the Vikings in Week 10 against the PackersShut down the run gameThis may sound like an unusual key against a Packers offense that ranks dead last in rushing yards per game (68.2) and 31st in yards per attempt (2.9). RB Josh Jacobs hasn't practiced this week as he manages a broken finger, further ailing Green Bay's run game.But I'm still listing it here because I don't think Matt LaFleur is foolish enough to believe he can beat the Vikings' offense with a one-dimensional attack. He may call run plays to keep Flores honest. Because as good as Jordan Love has been this season, it's hard to envision any quarterback consistently succeeding against Minnesota in a pass-pass-pass game plan.Limit the explosive pass playsThis isn't to say Love and the Packers can't find some success. No one has thrown for more yards this year than Love. WR Christian Watson (879) and Matthew Golden (783) rank third and fourth in receiving yards entering Week 10.Green Bay (40) has more 20-plus-yard pass plays than any other team this season. They also lead the league with twelve 40-plus-yard plays, three more than the next-closest team. Their longest came on an 81-yard touchdown against the Vikings in Week 1.This may mean Minnesota gives up some completions for short and moderate gains. But if they can test Love's patience, the Vikings may force mistakes from him and the Packers' offenseMajor contributions from the linebackersBecause Cashman could miss Sunday's game, Minnesota will need its other linebackers to fill his role. Eric Wilson (three sacks, 22 pressures, per Next Gen Stats) and Ivan Pace Jr. (1.5 sacks, seven pressures) can do a solid job replacing Cashman in blitzing (he has 4.5 sacks and 24 pressures in 88 pass-rush snaps). But can they replicate his coverage skills?Quarterbacks have a 74.1 passer rating on 21 targets into Cashman's coverage this season. Wilson has allowed 19 of 25 passes to be completed in coverage for an 89.3 passer rating. Pace has been used sparingly in coverage, allowing one completion on two attempts. But he has graded poorly on PFF over the past two years, receiving grades of 29.9 in 2025 and 29.4 in 2024 in coverage.Could we see an expanded role for rookie second-round pick Jake Golday? He played 12 snaps against the Bills, although only two were in coverage. He may currently be more comfortable running downhill to rush the passer and stop the run, but Flores could use that skill set to provide a wrinkle on Sunday.This article originally appeared on Vikings Wire: 3 Defensive keys for the Vikings in Week 10 against the Packers