Devonte Wyatt might be one of the most important players on the field for the Green Bay Packers on Sunday against the unbeaten Minnesota Vikings.
The interior disruptor needs to be as his pass-rushing best in a favorable matchup against the middle of the Vikings offensive line.
Sam Darnold is well protected by tackles Christian Darrisaw and Brian O’Neil on the edges. In fact, Darrisaw and O’Neil might be one of the best pass-blocking tackle duos in football. Where it falls apart for the Vikings offensive is inside.
Center Garrett Bradbury has allowed 10 pressures, the second most among centers, per Pro Football Focus. Guard Ed Ingram has also allowed 10 pressures, the fifth most among guards.
Wyatt, a 2022 first-rounder, looks like one of the breakout interior defenders in the NFL to start this season. He has three sacks and nine pressures on 64 pass-rushing snaps through three games, plus six stops, or tackles creating a failure for the offense. Wyatt was disruptive as a second-year player in 2023, but he’s now converting opportunities for negative plays at a higher rate to start 2024.
Wyatt — an explosive athlete at over 300 pounds who looks unleashed in Jeff Hafley’s aggressive, upfield scheme — must make the most of opportunities to beat Bradbury and Ingram on Sunday at Lambeau Field.
The matchup is also a good chance for Kenny Clark to break out of a mini-slump to start the year. He’s been quiet against the run and only so-so as a pass-rusher. Clark has historically done very well against Bradbury in previous matchups. Karl Brooks is another interior disruptor who could benefit on Sunday.
Darnold has been a revelation as a starting quarterback for Kevin O’Connell and the Vikings, and former Packers running back Aaron Jones is enjoying a terrific start (325 total yards, two touchdowns) with his new team. Add in all-world receiver Justin Jefferson and the Packers will have their hands full with a Vikings offense that is third in points scored and averaging 6.0 yards per play in 2024.
Wyatt must be a game-wrecker. In a new scheme, he’s blossoming into the disruptive force the Packers expected. But games like Sunday’s against the Vikings — a key divisional matchup early in the year — are where great players must take over. Can Wyatt dominate in a plus matchup and help the Packers score a big win in the NFC North?
