GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) – A three year run atop the NFC North Division has come to an end for the Green Bay Packers and it should come as no surprise it’s the Minnesota Vikings who have ascended to the throne. The Detroit Lions haven’t won a division title since 1993 and outside of a couple breakout seasons from the Chicago Bears including a dominant stretch in the mid-1980’s, it’s been green and gold or purple and yellow that have ruled the north. The rivals meet again Sunday at Lambeau Field and once again, there are high stakes for both clubs. The 7-8 Packers need to extend the current win streak of three to four at home and finish the regular season with a victory against Detroit to have any shot at a Wild Card berth while the 12-3 Vikings still have an outside shot at the NFC’s number one seed and they don’t want to slide down the seeding tree if they can help it.
Because these two often meet when playoff implications are included, the Packers Vikings rivalry has a bit more intensity than games against Chicago or Detroit. Throw in the fact that a host of former Packers continued or finished their careers in Minneapolis and even more spice has been mixed in over the years. Be it Brett Favre, Ryan Longwell, Greg Jennings or Darren Sharper, there’s always an interesting sidebar to cover. The same applies this year with not only Za’Darius Smith and Chandon Sullivan now a Viking, Head Coach Kevin O’Connell has former defensive coordinator Mike Pettine and outside linebackers coach Mike Smith on his staff. Emotions should be running high again.
When the Packers have the ball.
The Packers have some top level talent to contend with but Minnesota’s defense as a whole has been disappointing overall. They rank 31st in yards allowed, they are dead last in passing yards allowed per game. Smith and Danielle Hunter have combined for over 20 sacks, Erick Kendricks is a solid middle linebacker, Patrick Peterson and Harrison Smith are accomplished, veteran players in the back end. It just hasn’t come together under coordinator Ed Donnatell, yet another former Packer assistant.
With Aaron Jones dealing with a variety of leg and ankle issues, Head Coach Matt LaFleur has been careful with his snap count. When he is on the field, the Packers have preferred to get Jones in space with either wide runs or passes in the flat to avoid heavier collisions. A.J. Dillon will continue to be the hammer between the tackles in the run game.
Christian Watson practiced very little during the week because of a hip injury and is listed as questionable for the game. His availability is important to the overall effectiveness of the passing game. The Rams paid him respect two weeks ago by having All Pro Jalen Ramsey trail him. His big plays of late and field stretching routes opens up opportunities for Romeo Doubs, Allen Lazard and Bobby Tonyan.
David Bakhtiari appears ready to return from his appendectomy in early December. After getting limited work on the practice field, Bakhtiari has no injury report designation heading into the game. Even a 70% Bakhtiari on the blind side will be welcome against the Vikings pressure.
The last key for the Pack will be to finish in the red zone. Gifted drive starts at the 9 and 14 last week and coming away with only six points will not be enough against a high scoring Minnesota offense.
When the Vikings have the ball.
To prevent electric Justin Jefferson from having another dominant performance (9 receptions, 184 yards, 2 touchdowns in the week one 23-7 Minnesota victory), the Packers will have to make it much more difficult for Kirk Cousins to deliver the ball. Neutralizing Dalvin Cook on early downs is a priority and on passing downs, pressure is a must. Given time, Cousins not only will get his shots with Jefferson, closing in on the league’s single season yardage record, but find other targets as well. Teams that have doubled Jefferson or deployed cloud coverage have given up receptions to the steady Adam Thielen, K.J. Osborn and a weapon not on the field in the first meeting but one the Packers are familiar with, former Lion tight end T.J. Hockenson.
It sounds like a tall order for coordinator Joe Barry’s crew but after giving up two big explosive plays against Miami in the first half last week, the unit did a much better job communicating and covering while pitching a second half shutout against the Dolphins which should give them confidence they can handle the task again.
Look for the Packers to try and create that pressure on Cousins from the middle. Starting center Garrett Bradbury is out with an injury and the Viking offensive line has already shown to be leaky, giving up 45 sacks already this season.
Finally, the defense had better not take a down off, no matter the score. This Viking team has delivered late heroics all season, even coming back from a record 33-0 halftime deficit this year to go 11 for 11 in one score games this season.
The bottom line.
While the Vikings would really like a win, the Packers need a victory, they are the far more desperate team. That and the Lambeau crowd should help keep the energy level up. It’ll be needed and I think it will be enough to carry the day.
I like the Pack 27-24.
