Vikings expose Packers struggles in pass defense without injured cornerback Jaire Alexander

Sam Darnold’s ability to pick apart Green Bay’s defense underscored one of the biggest challenges facing the Packers as they head into the playoffs. Jaire Alexander, the Packers’ two-time Pro Bowl cornerback, missed a sixth straight game with a knee injury Sunday as Darnold threw for a career-high 377 yards in the Minnesota Vikings’ 27-25 victory over Green Bay. Asked Monday if there’s any chance Alexander could return the rest of the season, Packers coach Matt LaFleur replied, “I don’t know.” Alexander remains exceptional in pass coverage when he’s available, but he has played just 10 defensive snaps over the past two months. What needs work Six days after getting the first shutout of the NFL season, Green Bay couldn’t slow down Minnesota’s offense.