Count on Packers to air it out

The Green Bay offense relies heavily on the pass, and that doesn't figure to change when the team visits the Metrodome.

By Kevin Seifert, Star Tribune

Last update: September 27, 2007 - 10:15 PM

Like guests politely wiping their shoes at the doorstep, most Vikings opponents have at least feigned interest in the running game during the past two seasons. Some don't make it past the first quarter against the historically stout Vikings defense, but they still can tell their grandchildren they tried.

The Green Bay Packers seem unlikely to carry that ruse Sunday into the Metrodome, thanks to an offense that ranks among the most pass-oriented in the NFL. In their 3-0 start, the Packers have thrown the league's third-most passes (125) while attempting the second-fewest running plays (59).

The imbalance hasn't limited an offense averaging 27.2 points per game, and it could marginalize the Vikings' top weapon -- run defense -- in Sunday's game.

Although some observers have grown concerned about the Packers' one-dimensional approach, coach Mike McCarthy delivered a wise message to his offensive players during a meeting Thursday: It doesn't matter.

"Everybody is in tune with where we're at as an offense," McCarthy said. "We're fine. We're winning games and the object is to move the ball down the field toward the end zone. How we get there, I'll leave that up to [reporters]. You can beat that thing up."

Of course, the Packers have no incentive to rebalance when faced with a Vikings defense that already has given up nearly 800 passing yards this season. Instead, it is the Vikings who are re-evaluating their approach in preparation for an aerial onslaught.

"You have to pay attention to those numbers," defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier said. "They are really putting it in the air. ... You can't ignore the run game, but it seems as though you better be prepared to defend the pass."

The skewed numbers have come as no surprise, considering the Packers bid farewell to veteran tailback Ahman Green and installed three rookies as their top running backs. Brandon Jackson, DeShawn Wynn and Ryan Grant have combined for 174 yards, including a 38-yard touchdown run by Wynn. Discounting that jaunt, the Green Bay is averaging 2.5 yards on their other 53 carries.

The Packers' rushing attempts have totaled 17, 29 and 13 in their three games. However, McCarthy insisted the totals are a function of impatient playcalling rather than a simple deficiency.

"To run the football," McCarthy said, "the guy calling the plays needs to commit to it, and he hasn't done that the last two weeks."

McCarthy calls the Packers' plays, but with Jackson nursing a sore shin -- he sat out practice Thursday -- it is difficult to imagine a wholesale change in his approach.

To combat Green Bay's passing game, Frazier said the Vikings are re-emphasizing the importance of the pass rush from their four defensive linemen.

"Ideally," Frazier said, "you would like to be able to rush the quarterback with four and play coverage [with the rest]. If you rush them with four ... you can try to get your seven to play their three wideouts. If you are not successful in doing that, then you've got to bring some pressure. Now you run the risk of exposing some guys coveragewise."

Frazier said he was pleased with the Vikings' pass rush during their first two games, in which they netted 10 sacks, but noted a dropoff in Sunday's 13-10 loss at Kansas City.

Packers coaches surely noticed as well, and they also remember their performance in sweeping last season's series between the teams. Quarterback Brett Favre threw for a combined 632 yards in the two games, even as the Packers managed only 93 rushing yards on 50 carries.

"[If] they abandon the run," defensive tackle Pat Williams said, "we have to stop their passing game. We've just got to, and all the guys are focused this week. That's our main focus: Go out there and try to stop the passing game, too."

Staff writer Judd Zulgad contributed to this report from Green Bay, Wis.

Kevin Seifert • kseifert@startribune.com