Why Gennaro chose the Packers: After starting the year with a 6-0 record, Minnesota lost its last two games. But don’t blame the defense. Brian Flores’ ferocious unit admirably contained two of the league’s most prolific offenses – Detroit and Buffalo – but Kevin O’Connell’s offense couldn’t hold up its end of the bargain. In fact, Carson Wentz’s play was so putrid in Monday night’s home loss to the Bills that the Vikings hit the trade market before Tuesday’s deadline, flipping a third-round pick to bring Kirk Cousins back to Minnesota. The last time Kirko Chainz started a game for the Vikes, they beat the Packers at Lambeau Field. Unfortunately, Cousins tore his Achilles tendon in the fourth quarter of that triumph, upending his career and the Vikes’ quarterback situation. Three seasons later, the 38-year-old returns to purple. Can he pick up where he left off, guiding Minnesota to a rivalry victory at Titletown? Well, O’Connell declined to name Cousins as his QB1 on Wednesday, but Matt LaFleur is clear-headed on the situation.
“He’s going to start,” the Packers coach told reporters Wednesday. “I’m pretty confident about it.”
Aren’t we all? Minnesota has no time to waste in an extremely competitive NFC North. So, assuming Cousins gets the nod, will he be able to keep up with one of the hottest quarterbacks on the planet? Jordan Love throws haymakers at a dizzying rate, as evidenced by the fact that Christian Watson (879) and Matthew Golden (783) currently rank third and fourth in the NFL in receiving yards. But Green Bay’s bold MVP candidate did having two critical turnovers in the fourth quarter in the Week 1 loss to Minnesota. Could Flores enjoy the best of Love again? Maybe. But Cousins faces a tall order as Green Bay’s defense really comes together under first-year coordinator Jonathan Gannon. Since the start of October, the Packers have given up the third fewest points per game with 16.7. Cousins finally could Save this season from Skol – the pre-existing chemistry with KOC/Justin Jefferson is something to believe in – but it’s a tall order to ask him to completely flip the offensive script within days of getting it. Green Bay ties the season score.
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