Hundreds of people helped clear snow and spread ice melt at Lambeau Field in preparation for an NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Jan. 3, 2016. That usually bodes well for the home team, particularly when a division title is on the line, and particularly when that title game is being played at Lambeau Field. A win and Carolina loss would give Arizona the No. 1 seed. Aaron Rodgers will definitely have to play better for the Packers to win this matchup, but I really see the Vikings taking this one with no problems, especially with the way the Packers have been playing.
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The Vikings still made the playoffs as an 8-8 wild-card team and went on to face (guess who?) the Packers in the first round. The division championship is important, but getting in the playoffs is the most important because that puts you in a position for the ultimate goal.
James Jones is the only of Green Bay’s receivers that actually exceed expectations, as he’s on pace to reach the highest yardage total of his nine year career while leading the team in both touchdowns and yards per reception. Minnesota, meanwhile, was 2-2 before an early bye, and has gone 8-3 the rest of the year, including winning their last two games after a mini losing streak against tough opposition in Seattle and Arizona.
The Packers have procured four straight division titles. If the Vikings win, however, Seattle is the No. 6 seed regardless because Green Bay holds the tiebreaker with their 27-17 win over the Seahawks in Week 2. Then the Packers reminded everyone of their divisional dominance and delivered a convincing 30-13 blowout win. The award goes annually to the Vikings player judged to have the best attitude with the media. They’ll be forced to shuffle along the interior again, this time against a running back who has dominated Minnesota in Eddie Lacy. The Vikings didn’t have the answer for that tactic in the first meeting but moving QB Teddy Bridgewater out of the pocket could complicate Matthews’ assignments. Over his last three games, he has completed 70 percent of his passes for an average of 9.1 yards per attempt with six touchdowns and zero interceptions. Bridgewater has a passer rating of 90.6, up from 85.2 last season as a rookie. It was a back-and-forth affair that came down to the final seconds. Safety Harrison Smith, linebacker Anthony Barr and nose tackle Linval Joseph were each active last week and the result was an impressive reminder of what they can do at full strength.
The return to health of Minnesota’s defense is foreboding for a Packers offense that has been uncharacteristically mediocre all season. Aside from Rodgers, the offense have been devoid of playmakers. However, they did win convincingly November 22 at Minnesota, 30-13, between those two home defeats to division foes.
FAVRE’S FIRST YEAR: The Vikings clinched the NFC Central in the second-to-last week of Dennis Green’s first season as coach in 1992, going 11-5. This is a big game, but it’s a game that’s attractive because you’ve got two excellent football teams fighting to advance their seed in the playoffs. They’ve missed the playoffs for the 16th successive season.
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This is likely going to end up as one of Rodgers’ worst campaigns since becoming the full-time starter in 2008. Oakland Raiders fullback Marcel Reece is unable to play in the game, following his recent four-game suspension for violating the league’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs. Now the NFL Odds for the game have the Packers favored to pick up the victory in the game.
