The Green Bay Packers will face the Minnesota Vikings for the second time this regular season in Week 17, with the former looking for revenge after losing to the latter 31-29 in Week 4.
Speaking ahead of their key matchup, Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell gave a shoutout to two Green Bay Packers defenders, Rashan Gary and Kenny Clark, who he believes will make the difference for their NFC North rivals.
“Ultimately, anytime Rashan Gary is on the field, you always have to have a real mindset of making sure he doesn’t wreck the game,” O’Connell said via the Minnesota Vikings’ official YouTube channel. Never forget about Kenny Clark inside. Every time we play him, I shake his hand after a game and tell him, ‘You’re one of the most underrated football players in our entire league. I got a ton of respect for you.’”
The Minnesota Vikings’ o-line will have their work cut out on Sunday, especially since center Garrett Bradbury has historically struggled against the Green Bay Packers.
Why is Kevin O’Connell wary about Green Bay Packers’ Rashan Gary and Kenny Clark?
Green Bay Packers defensive tackle Kenny Clark is a huge thorn in Kevin O’Connell’s side. The UCLA product has recorded eight sacks in 17 appearances against the Minnesota Vikings. Overall, the three-time Pro Bowler has 35 sacks, seven forced fumbles, eight fumble recoveries, 11 pass deflections, and 414 tackles throughout his eight-year NFL career.
Rashan Gary, meanwhile, has 38 sacks, six forced fumbles, seven fumble recoveries, five pass deflections, and 220 tackles throughout his five-year NFL career. The Michigan product was the highest-rated defender (90.6 PFF grade) in Green Bay’s 34-0 victory against New Orleans, and he leads the team in sacks this year (6.5).
