The Packers kicked off the 2020 season with a 43-34 win over the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium, and all feels right in the world again. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers threw for 364 yards and four touchdowns with a long of 34 and a rating of 127.5, silencing the critics (if only momentarily).

For center Corey Linsley, that’s just Rodgers being Rodgers. 

“It’s funny when you read the stats and you see after the game you know, ‘Aaron threw for however many touchdowns,’ and all that stuff, it like doesn’t even surprise me anymore,” he said smiling, adding that Rodgers is a “ridiculously intelligent” person and football player.  

Star wide receiver Davante Adams told the media post-game that he’s always been observant, and judging by Rodgers’ body language and attitude, he knew there was something different about the way he was preparing. 

 “I pay attention to a lot of stuff and when I see my guy having his hood on his head and he’s got headphones on, as soon as we leave a meeting he’s popping headphones back on. I don’t know what he’s listening to but whatever it is, I need to listen to that as well,” Adams joked.

Rodgers attributed the success of the offense to a good plan from the coaching staff. 

“I think Matt had a really good plan this week. I think him and his staff came up with some really good ideas and I think we executed pretty well,” Rodgers said of the Week 1 scheme. 

Eight different players were targeted in the receiving game, with Rodgers spreading the ball between three receivers, three running backs, and two tight ends.

The Packers completed 6-of-11 third down conversions for 55%, which is already an improvement from last season. 

“Offensively, I really liked our rhythm and our execution,” said Rodgers. The offense dominated time of possession against Minnesota, holding onto the ball for just over 41 minutes. 

Two of the game’s biggest standouts were receivers Allen Lazard and Marquez Valdes-Scantling, who both received praise from QB1. 

“I love Marquez. He’s such a good-hearted kid. I think he really adds a lot to our locker room and he wants it so badly,” said Rodgers. “The thing that I noticed this training camp was he was catching the ball better.”

Rodgers added that Valdes-Scantling was starting to trust his hands more, and even after a few drops against the Vikings, Rodgers never thought twice about going back to him with the ball. That trust paid off and Valdes-Scantling finished the day with four receptions for 96 yards and one touchdown. 

“You heard it from Aaron, myself, Coach LaFleur, he definitely showed a different type of focus this time around,” said Adams. “I had a feeling he was going to come and have a great start the way he did. I don’t put my name on just anybody.”

The third receiver in the lineup Sunday, Lazard, secured all four of his targets for 63 yards and a touchdown of his own, giving Rodgers a perfect passer rating of 158.3 when targeting him. 

“I’m really proud of Allen. I’ve been a fan of his since last training camp,” said Rodgers. “He’s a guy I trust. And you all have covered me for a long time. You know that’s the most important characteristic that a receiver can earn. Because once I trust him the ball is coming your way.”

After seven years playing together, nobody has Rodgers’ trust like Adams, who tied a franchise record 14 receptions (set by Don Hutson) Sunday against the Vikings. Adams finished the day with 156 yards and two touchdowns. 

“Aaron actually told me on the sideline right after the game,” Adams said of tying Don Hutson’s receptions record. “It’s awesome. It’s great company to be in.”

On the defensive side of the ball, third-year cornerback Jaire Alexander also finds himself in impressive company after his sack, safety, and interception against Minnesota. He’s one of just nine players since 1982 to tally all three in a single game. 

And if you ask Alexander, he went off-script for the safety. 

“Once I anticipated run, I shot my shot,” Alexander said. “I slid in the DMs, basically.”

He added that he had expected a run based on Thielen’s motion, but when he saw Kirk Cousins drop back he was too committed to backtrack and instead made the play. While he wouldn’t give away exactly what defensive coordinator Mike Pettine said to him on the sideline afterwards, he did share that Pettine called him “sneaky.” 

Beyond Alexander’s safety, sack, and interception, edge rusher Za’Darius Smith also sacked Cousins once on the day. It was a modest showing for the defense, but one that was playing without impact defensive linemen Kenny Clark for most of the game. Clark left early with a groin injury, and his status is still unclear for this Sunday’s matchup at home against the Detroit Lions. 

One of the most surprising, yet impressive performances of the day came from the starting inside linebacker, and it wasn’t free agent acquisition Christian Kirksey. 

Undrafted rookie Krys Barnes of UCLA got the start alongside Kirksey against the Vikings. Barnes didn’t make the initial 53-man roster and signed to Green Bay’s expanded practice squad before being added to the active roster prior to game day. He finished with six total tackles and two tackles for loss, with one tackle that likely saved a touchdown. 

“He did an outstanding job,” LaFleur said of Barnes in his first start.

Barnes wasn’t the only rookie to step up Week 1. The offensive line was also shuffled quite a bit all game. Offensive lineman Jon Runyan Jr. was called upon to fill in at right guard when Lane Taylor went down with a knee injury, which we now know unfortunately was season-ending. 

“I remember being in eighth grade and watching Aaron win the Super Bowl,” Runyan Jr. said. “I was sitting there on my couch. And now I got thrown in my first NFL game I ever dressed and now I’m in charge of protecting him. It’s kind of crazy how life works sometimes.”

While Runyan Jr. mentioned that these were his first snaps with the first-team offense and with Rodgers, he still didn’t allow a pressure, hurry, or sack in his debut. 

Another rookie that impressed early was tight end Josiah Deguara, who caught the attention of fans with one block that took down two Vikings at once. But while Deguara has received praise for that blocking ability, he said it’s something he’s been working on with tight ends coach Justin Outten. 

His next goal is to build a relationship with Rodgers.

“I think it’s just consistency honestly,” Deguara said of earning Rodgers’ trust. “Being consistent not only in practice but in the film room. If we’re in an offensive meeting room and he’s asking us questions, just being on top of your stuff. Making sure that whenever he does go your way that you’re ready for it.”

It’s possible that no one is a bigger fan of Deguara than his own head coach. 

“He’s got a lot of flexibility where we can put him in the backfield or put him out wide in kind of a wide receiver position, or we feel like we can use him as that movable, more of an F tight end. He’s a really really smart football player,” LaFleur said. 

While the Packers led the NFL in scoring Week 1 with 43 points, LaFleur knows there’s plenty for his team to improve on heading into Week 2.

“It’s only one week. I don’t think any of us are going to be patting ourselves on the back. There’s a lot to improve upon, specifically some those red zone opportunities. And we’re going to have a great opponent next week in the Detroit Lions,” said LaFleur. 

He called hindsight 20/20 on some of the play-calling that stalled drives in the red zone, but it’s clear LaFleur knows what his team needs to work on. One aspect certainly would be to keep the team’s foot on the gas. 

“When we’re up on somebody, we can’t relax. Not for one second,” LaFleur said of letting the Vikings back into the game late. “Once that momentum starts going one way, it’s hard to stop it.

“It’s going to take better focus from our guys, it’s going to take better coaching from our coaches to make sure that stuff doesn’t happen again.”

With Week 1 in the rear view mirror, and one win secured in the division, the Packers get to stay home at Lambeau for another division matchup this week. Green Bay is 1-0 and onto the Lions.