Another rookie quarterback is facing the Green Bay Packers.
A rookie quarterback will be facing the Packers defence for the third time in the previous four games. The Minnesota Vikings did not know at the beginning of the week who would start at quarterback in their crucial Sunday game against the Green Bay Packers. The organisation has made the decision to bench Nick Mullens in favour of giving fifth-round rookie quarterback Jaren Hall another opportunity to start.
Normally, fans would have cause for optimism going into the game, facing off against a former third-string rookie. But the Packers have demonstrated that they will allow any quarterback to have a career day, regardless of who they are. Following their game against Joe Barry’s defence, Tommy Devito, another third-string rookie, and Baker Mayfield were selected as NFC offensive players of the week. For the first time this season, Bryce Young broke 300 yards receiving, and the Panthers scored their highest point total. The Packers have performed both below and at the same level as their rivals.
Jaren Hall doesn’t have a lot of NFL film available for the squad to review. Hall was injured after just 11 plays in his lone career start against the Atlanta Falcons. Whichever film you choose to examine, the Packers’ capacity to contain Justin Jefferson will be the deciding factor in the game. That’s a difficult challenge with a strong defence. It appears nearly impossible when you consider that Jaire Alexander, the Packers’ best cornerback, is suspended and won’t be playing.
But the team is used to playing without important players. This season, the Packers have struggled with injuries. The bright side of it is that Carrington Valentine, a rookie cornerback, has gotten invaluable game experience. On Sunday, he will start his eleventh game of the season, and he has made every effort to take Rasul Douglas’ place in that secondary. He has given up one touchdown, 356 receiving yards, and a 58% completion percentage this season. Excellent effort for a rookie selected in the seventh round. This Sunday, he will have to tackle his most difficult assignment: slowing down Eric Stokes and Jefferson.
The most significant game of the Packers’ season is about to begin. They still have an opportunity to make the playoffs if they win. For the first time since the 2017 and 2018 seasons, they will miss the playoffs in back-to-back seasons if they lose. The offence will have a difficult test against a defence managed by Brian Flores, but the main concern will be if the defence can finally stop a quarterback. Nobody can predict Hall’s future, but he faces a division foe and must win. The defenders must figure out a method to frighten the inexperienced player and make him make mistakes. The Packers must stop allowing journeymen to pass for starting quarterbacks.
