Packers struggle against Vikings' blitz, offensive line falters
The Green Bay Packers were unable to protect quarterback Jordan Love as the Minnesota Vikings applied a high-rate blitz, leading to a 29-point run by Minnesota in the fourth quarter.
The Green Bay Packers’ offensive line failed to shield quarterback Jordan Love on Sunday, as he was hit on nearly every dropback and completed only 21 of 46 passes (46%). After scoring 22 points through three quarters, the Packers managed just 3.8 yards per play in the fourth quarter and turned the ball over twice on downs, while also losing possession twice to the Vikings.
Minnesota finished the game with a 29-point surge, scoring on nearly every drive after taking a short field. The Vikings’ defensive strategy centered on an aggressive pass rush, with Pro Football Focus reporting a 93% blitz rate and Next Gen Stats indicating a 78% blitz rate—the highest for any quarterback since 2023, along with a 53% overall pressure rate.
The Packers’ interior line was particularly vulnerable; left guard Donovan Jennings and right guard Jacob Monk made their first NFL starts together, and the unit struggled to adjust. Veteran guard Aaron Banks was inactive with knee tendinitis, and rookie Anthony Belton, drafted for a different offensive scheme, has not yet found a clear role.
Next Gen Stats showed that four of the five Packers starters allowed pressure within 2.5 seconds of the snap, and the team often left a defender unblocked on Love’s blind side when facing an all-out rush.
Analysts noted that the Packers will need to revise their protection schemes, as continued exposure to similar blitz tactics could jeopardize Love’s health for the remainder of the season.