Was It Worth Suspending Alexander For Such An Important Game?
After a close but critical 33-30 victory against the Carolina Panthers, the Packers hit the road to face the Minnesota Vikings on New Year’s Eve. And they’ll be playing in a hostile environment without star corner Jaire Alexander after he was suspended earlier this week — not by the NFL, but internally by the Packers organization.
Last Sunday, Alexander went out for the coin toss even though he was not listed as a captain for that game. When the Packers won the toss, Alexander nearly screwed up when he told the referee “defense” instead of “defer.”
After the game, the Packers suspended Alexander for this week’s game against the Vikings. The official ruling on his suspension was for “conduct detrimental to the team.”
Teams often enforce discipline because it brings out the best in their players. But to suspend Alexander against Minnesota’s offense, which has been productive over the last two weeks, doesn’t make sense. There was no criminality here, no physical recklessness or malice involved. And the Vikings game also has significant implications for both teams. They are both 7-8 and fighting for a Wild Card spot.
Consider that Green Bay’s defense allowed Tommy DeVito and Baker Mayfield to be Offensive Players of the Week in losses to the New York Giants (24-22) in Week 14 and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (34-20) in Week 15.
Last weekend, the Packers gave up 30 points to the 2-13 Panthers, failing to neutralize rookie Bryce Young and allowing him to throw for over 300 yards.
The Vikings put up over 400 yards and 24 points in a 27-24 loss against the Cincinnati Bengals (24-27) in Week 15. Quarterback Nick Mullens threw for over 400 yards and helped Minnesota score 24 points again when they lost to the Detroit Lions, 24-30, last weekend. The Vikings were without rookie Jordan Addison for the entire game and missing T.J. Hockenson for the second half.
A high-powered passing game is going up against an already struggling defense now without arguably their best defensive player.
The Vikings’ offense has been pretty ineffective running the football this season, so everybody expects them to sling it around again, and Erik Stokes will have to step up as the main defensive back.
Last week, Stokes struggled mightily while covering D.J. Chark Jr., who had six receptions for 98 yards and two touchdowns.
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