Would Mike McCarthy take back the play-calling? That put the Packers ahead 27-13 and the game was all but done at that point.
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Three weeks ago, the Green Bay Packers were 6-0 and considered one of the elite teams in the NFL. Case and point is the deep pass Bridgewater threw to Wallace late in the game.
“We talked about the sounds in the locker room after a victory like that”, coach Jim Caldwell said Monday. The 30 points scored by Green Bay was the most allowed by the Vikings all season, and if not for several drives stalling in field-goal range in the first half, the Packers may have scored 40. In order to keep winning, the Packers are going to have to keep playing great defense given the condition that their offense is in. His feel for the pocket went AWOL at times, resulting in unnecessary sacks. But he was the team’s leading rushing well into the third quarter (and came up just 2 yards shy of Peterson on the game). Safety Morgan Burnett, not Rodgers, provided the defining play of the game, forcing Adrian Peterson to fumble in the fourth quarter, essentially sealing the game.
It was somewhat business as usual for the Green Bay Packers as they headed to Minnesota to face the red-hot Vikings.
Mason Crosby hit five field goals for the Packers, who constantly harried Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater – he suffered a shoulder injury but played on despite being sacked six times. Rudolph caught the ball around the Green Bay 30, lost a Packer defender, and went the rest of the way for the score. He had 16 completions and 18 incompletions, and that was emblematic of an offense that often appeared out of rhythm and out of sync. “But we didn’t do enough things to win”. There’s no question a win would’ve been huge for the Vikings because it would’ve given the Vikings a two-game lead in the NFC North with only six games to play.
These teams are very likely closer in ability than their records suggest, but all anyone wants to talk about is Cam Newton’s dancing. Circle your calendars for 3 January.
Jones’ hoodie caused such a buzz during the game that Mike Pereira of Fox Sports taped a short video explaining the rules of wearing one.
Terence Newman earned defensive player of the week honors this week after his two-interception performance against the Raiders. The Vikings committed three third-down penalties on the drive, and Rodgers finally took advantage as he found Randall Cobb in the end zone with six seconds left in the half to give the Packers a 16-6 halftime lead. Rodgers connected early with Jones, who had been invisible for weeks, on a 25-yard gain that set up Green Bay’s first field goal. But, he added, “If we want to get over the hump, that’s who we have to beat”. But for the most part, the Packers know just how to beat their division foes. The Vikings will be be confident that they can claim the win today as the Packers come into the game on the back of three straight losses. Peterson did not hold back when asked about that.
“I don’t ever think you get totally used to it”, he said. Kalil struggled last season when he was injured, and had offseason surgery on both knees-and the difference in a healthy Kalil has been on display all season.
Running BacksMarshawn Lynch, Seattle Seahawks: Lynch has been declared “good to go” by Seahawks coach Pete Carroll.
What Peterson said is as indicative as when receiver Cordarrelle Patterson head-butted Crosby after one return. That’s the kind of mistake that dooms teams on the playoff fringe, the kind of dumb play teams like the Patriots rarely make.
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From Lacy to Jones to the two-time NFL MVP Rodgers, the previously underperforming Packers bounced back in a big way to post the highest score against the Vikings this season. We had to run the ball. Welcome to the National Football League in 2015.
