One thing is for sure as the Green Bay Packers prepare for the Minnesota Vikings this week: Defensive coordinator Dom Capers has to find a better way to defend Brett Favre.
Last year, Capers went coverage-oriented instead of blitz heavy in both games of the Vikings crucial season sweep. He did it in part to defend halfback Adrian Peterson, in part because of injuries at safety, and in part because of concern that Favre was too likely to gash blitzes for backbreaking plays.
In the two games combined, Minnesota put up 68 points and Favre was the difference: seven touchdown passes, no interceptions and a passer rating of 135.9 points.
That on the surface should incline Capers toward using more pressure this time.
I dont know what Dom has in mind, I have no idea, defensive end Ryan Pickett said. But Im sure it will be something different than what we did.
On the other hand, Minnesota hasnt been the same offensive power this season as last, and its offensive line has had serious issues protecting Favre.
The Vikings, who finished second in the NFL in scoring last year, are tied for No. 26 this season for several reasons.
Favre at 41 is showing his age more than last year, and thats been compounded by tendinitis in his throwing arm that materially hurt his passing accuracy against the New York Jets two weeks ago. He had a cortisone injection last week, and his arm was feeling good enough Wednesday in practice that he abandoned the protective sleeve in practice he wore last week.
I would say at this point its gotten a little bit better than it was a couple weeks ago, Favre said in a conference call with reporters in Green Bay. It was obviously bad enough to take a cortisone injection, but right now I feel like its not a hindrance at all.
Regardless, Favres 72.1 passer rating ranks No. 28 in the NFL, and hes already thrown as many interceptions (seven) as all of last season playing behind a leaky offensive line and without his favorite receiver, Sidney Rice.
The decline of the Vikings offensive line has been as big an issue as any. Both tackles, Phil Loadholdt on the right side and Bryant McKinnie on the left, have been shaky, and Favre has taken a beating through five games. Hes been sacked 13 times, which is a pace of 42 sacks for the season. Last year he was sacked 34 times.
In the two games in 09, the Packers didnt sack Favre at all using mostly coverage-oriented calls, but after having watched this years game tapes Capers might have decided he can get to Favre without having to blitz. Conversely, he might blitz more if he thinks Favres reactions have slowed to where hes less likely to hit on a big play, or in an effort to hit Favre so that in the second half hes like a worn out old fighter whos taken too many body blows.
You obviously have to get pressure on the guy, you have to disrupt him, cornerback Tramon Williams said. If not, its going to be a long day, just like last year.
Clay Matthews status also will play a major role. Matthews, who leads the NFL in sacks with 8, looks like he has a good chance of playing Sunday after missing last weeks game against Miami because of a recurring hamstring injury. His profound impact on the Packers defense has been obvious in the five-plus quarters hes missed, and as a potential mismatch against Loadholdt or McKinnie he probably would command regular double teams.
But Capers will have to be just as attuned to defending Peterson, a premier halfback who is averaging 25.4 touches a game and 4.9 yards a carry.
Last year, the Vikings force-fed Peterson with 25 runs in each game against the Packers. His 3.0-yard average and 152 rushing yards combined was more than manageable but came at the expense of Favres difference-making play.
The Vikings often use a three-receiver lineup, which will get the Packers out of their stout 3-4 front and into a nickel defense thats more vulnerable to the run. The Packers also might not have Pickett, a formidable run defender who hasnt played the last two games because of a badly sprained ankle. However, nose tackle B.J. Raji has become one of their better defensive players after a low-impact rookie season that was diminished by an ankle injury the first half of the year.
Peterson has been even more of the focus of the Vikings offense this year than last, and Minnesota figures to use him extensively Sunday last week against Dallas, the Vikings appeared to be protecting Favres sore arm, because he threw only 19 passes. So Capers plan still has to start with the run, which is why Minnesota can be difficult to defend if Favre is playing well.
We have to find a way to stop (Peterson) and at the same time keep our hair on fire and get to Favre, Pickett said.
Favre also has been hurt by Rices season-long absence, though now that Randy Moss is in his third game with the team, his on-field rapport with Favre could click at any time. Rice, who had hip surgery in training camp and probably wont be back for several more weeks, caught 83 passes last season and was an especially attractive target for Favre because of his ability at 6-feet-4 to get jump-ball throws.
Moss has nine receptions in his two games with the Vikings and is the best at the NFL catching the deep, contested pass. Flanker Percy Harvin also has become a bigger part of the offense in his second season (team-high 20 receptions).
Im even more impressed with (Moss) as Ive gotten a chance to work with him and how intelligent he is, Favre said. Randys Randy, and he has his moments, but hes such a dynamic player.