The Green Bay Packers have known they would be the Minnesota Vikings' first opponent in their new home at U.S. Bank Stadium in downtown Minneapolis.  When the schedule came out, many circled this game as one of the most intriguing and challenging for the Packers in 2016.  Over two weeks ago, the landscape of this game changed when the Vikings lost starting quarterback Teddy Bridgewater for the season to a knee injury.  The Vikings offense isn't the same whether it's Shaun Hill or recently-acquired Sam Bradford (Bradford took first team reps this week in practice).  But their defense is what won them their week one game and while it was "just" the Tennessee Titans, the Minnesota defense turned in a very good day at the office.  The Vikings defense against Aaron Rodgers and the Packers offense is going to be the key to this game.  Let's look at the upside and downsides for this game.

Rants

Packers Secondary

Last week's win over the Jacksonville Jaguars wasn't the most complete nor prettiest the Packers have turned in, but they still found a way to close it out.  They battled the elements (heat), a road environment and the loss of starting cornerback Sam Shields to get into the win column.  

Quinten Rollins struggled mightily in stretches last week and with Shields highly unlikely to play in this game, will see quite a bit of action on the outside opposite Damarious Randall.  This will prove a test to Rollins's ability to let go of last week and focus on the Vikings.  Cornerbacks coach Joe Whitt has proven one of the best in the league and should have Q ready to go.  The Vikings have talent at wide receiver, but I'd list it currently as equal to the Packers secondary, even with Shields out.  Stefon Diggs is Minnesota's top receiver with an eye on first rounder Laquon Treadwell to eventually take over that role.  If the Vikings have an edge anywhere, it's speed and we've seen both Randall and Rollins fall prey to a good double move.  LaDarius Gunter likely sees some time as well and needs to turn the corner (pun intended) in his ability to contribute in spots.  Minnesota's offense couldn't generate a touchdown last week and with Bradford still learning the playbook, look for Minnesota to try and catch the Packers sleeping early.  Taking advantage of the less-experienced corners, a deep ball off play action to ignite the offense seems in order.

Veteran safety Morgan Burnett had a bad holding penalty that negated a game-clinching interception by Ha Ha Clinton-Dix.  In watching the replay it was a move many veterans try to get away with and many probably do, but the timing of it could have proven critical as that penalty gives the offense an automatic first down.  As the elder statesman of the defensive backfield, he has to be smarter and aware of the situation.  Chris Banjo is still nursing a hamstring injury and undrafted rookie Kentrell Brice is expected to see more extended action in this one so we may get a chance to see just how ready for the big show he is after impressing during the preseason.  

The moving parts in the secondary could prove to be important in the game's outcome.

Game Management

This is an issue every week for the Packers, it seems and whether they win or lose.  With the no huddle that the offense runs and with Rodgers having full ability to change the call at the line, the communication seems to break down two or three times a game.  Far too often the Packers are forced to use timeout's earlier than they'd like to avoid delay of game penalties.  This has been the case for years so I don't expect a big change but they're going to be in a very loud and energetic environment on Sunday.  Whether that noise is all real or partly manufactured, the Packers have to deal with it and have their communication set.  Hopefully J.C. Tretter and Rodgers have spent some time talking about the snap signal on a silent count.  

The audible to a run on the goal line in Jacksonville turned into an utter disaster when the offensive line was pass blocking.  Typically the center echoes the call and gets the line set so whether it was Tretter who didn't pass along the memo or not, the line has to be in tune with Rodgers.  It's not their first rodeo in a system that reads the defense and adjusts accordingly based on the personnel on the field.  In this game's environment it will be key that the line at least knows whether they're setting and reacting or plowing.

The loss of those time outs can also factor into the Packers' ability to challenge plays and if it's a tightly contested game, there will likely be one or two that they want to review.  This is Rodgers' and head coach Mike McCarthy's ninth season together with Aaron as a starter.  I expect more from their communication by now.  Sure, even Bill Belichick has his struggles but this is why teams spend so much time preparing and with this being a consistent issue, I'd like to see this area cleaned up.

Packers Run Game

Yards on the ground will likely come at a premium for Green Bay.  The Vikings held the Titans under 50 yards and running back DeMarco Murray to just 42 yards on 13 carries.  Murray is no slouch so this bears watching.  The Vikes allowed under three yards per rush last week.  That won't generate much help to the Packers offense this week, but they have to stick with the run game.  Against a stout defense, one key is keeping them on the field.  Between Eddie Lacy, James Starks and Randall Cobb, the Packers should ideally turn in around 25 carries.  This is, of course, as long as they don't get behind early.  Jacksonville's defense is up and coming, but Minnesota's is more complete and experienced so the sledding gets tougher this week.  Vikings defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd is out with an injury, which could give Green Bay just a bit more breathing room.

Kick Coverage

Vikings return man Cordarrelle Patterson has broken some big returns against the Packers in the past.  Save for a fumble caused by kicker Mason Crosby, Patterson has done some damage and needs to be a key.  The Packers struggle in coverage and it seems at least once a game, the opposition gets a big return.  The strategy needs to be "kick to daylight" for Crosby and boot every single one out of the back of the end zone.  A Vikings start at the 25 yard line is a safer bet than what we know to be the alternative.

Raves

Run Defense

We'll see quickly in this game just how good the Packers run defense is.  They held the Jags to 48 yards rushing last week but that was T.J. Yeldon.  This is Adrian Peterson and he's pissed after a terrible performance last week.  Even if he doesn't go off, Peterson is good for one or two runs a game that he makes with pure grit and determination.  Ball security has been an issue for Peterson against the Packers so the defense may want to channel their inner Peanut Tillman in this game.  To me, containing Peterson is the biggest key to the game.  I know this because that's been the plan for nearly a decade and it's no different now than it was in 2007 when Peterson burst onto the scene as a rookie.  He's had some of his best games against the Packers and Green Bay needs to make sure this one isn't among the highlights.

Dink & Dunk

With cornerback Xavier Rhodes out, the Packers may find some success near the sidelines and on shorter routes.  The slant hasn't been much of a thing for the Packers since the days of Brett Favre, but with the Vikings active linebackers and safety Harrison Smith lurking, Rodgers and his receivers may want to spend some extra time working on the slant combos a bit more this week.  Last week, Jared Cook had just one catch but this week could prove to be one where his contribution to the offense becomes key.  Jordy Nelson will still draw more attention on his side and the Vikings can't count on Davante Adams to drop everything so they'll need to spread the wealth.  This could leave spots open in the short and underneath range for Cook and I expect a much better showing for him this week.

Hit The Quarterback

With Minnesota's offensive line still gelling with each other and Bradford's lack of mobility, the Packers pass rush could find themselves in the pocket quite a bit on Sunday.  Clay Matthews got his first sack of the season and spent more time on the outside against Jacksonville, where he turned in a very good day.  Datone Jones and Nick Perry also had good games as well.  Add in a jacked up Mike Daniels and (hopefully) a motivated Julius Peppers and Bradford may get very familiar with U.S. Bank's new surface.  If starting left tackle Matt Kalil (questionable) can't go, Matthews could have a field day and spend most of the evening outside.

Quarterback Play

Duh!  This can be a section here every week.  Rodgers clearly brings more to the table than both Bradford and Hill combined.  Aaron looked mobile and sharp against the Jaguars.  The offensive line gets a big test with Everson Griffin and Linval Joseph up front for the Vikings.  Rodgers will undoubtedly be on the run as he always is but hopefully it's by design and not a reaction to a sea of purple in his face.  If Minnesota struggles to get a pass rush, the Packers could put this one away sooner than later, although I predicted a down-to-the-wire thriller for a second week in a row.  Hey, it's still a road game and the Vikings will be as jacked up as they can be to open their new home.  They also want to send a message to the rest of the league that last year wasn't a fluke.