porky88
  • porky88
  • Veteran Member Topic Starter
9 years ago
In the first outdoor clash in Minnesota between the Packers and Vikings since 1981, it seems appropriate the Packers powered their way to a 24-21 victory behind the legs of running back Eddie Lacy.

Green Bay needed all 60 minutes to put away the pesky Vikings on Sunday, yet there was never a point where they didn’t seem in control of the game. Nonetheless, the Vikings had plenty of opportunities for big plays, particularly in the passing game, but quarterback Teddy Bridgewater was off target with several of his throws. A veteran quarterback would’ve connected on some of them, so this could be a wake-up call for a defense that is currently getting ready for Tom Brady and the New England Patriots.

Penalties were also disconcerting, as the Packers had seven of them for 75 yards. Still, for the first time all season, the Pack stand alone atop the NFC North with an 8-3 record.

Thanksgiving week is when teams hope to begin to hit their strides. Now is the time for the great ones to separate from the herd.

We’ll find out how great Green Bay is next weekend, as the 9-2 Patriots come to Lambeau.

Turning Point

Great teams know how to finish, and the Packers finished this one off with an 11-play, 87-yard touchdown drive that took up nearly half of the fourth quarter. The drive ended when quarterback Aaron Rodgers shuffled the ball to Lacy, who rumbled his way across the end zone.

Stud of the Game

This was Lacy’s game to win. The Packers came out intending to run the ball, and they stuck with it through the game's duration. His 25 carries and 125 yards were both season highs. He also added 13 yards receiving, and scored two touchdowns. More important, he sealed the Vikings' fate on the final drive by carrying the ball on five consecutive plays to kill the clock.

Play of the Game

Lacy’s fourth-quarter touchdown may never have happened if Rodgers and receiver Jordy Nelson didn’t convert a key third down midway through the drive. The Vikings -- especially cornerback Xavier Rhodes -- did a fine job of covering Nelson all game long, but Nelson made them pay on this crucial play. On third-and-2, Nelson beat cornerback Josh Robinson inside, giving Rodgers a huge window to throw the ball into. The play isn’t spectacular, but it shows that the little things matter. Many quarterbacks force their No. 1 receivers the ball, but Rodgers doesn’t. He’s an assassin on the field, who waits patiently for an opportunity to strike. The Vikings finally gave him one by not matching Rhodes up with Nelson on this play, and the Packers’ top duo made them pay for it.

Looking Ahead

There have been many tough hills to climb this season for the Pack, but the New England game has lingered in the background, like a mountain casting a shadow.

Last week, I wrote about Green Bay re-establishing their home-field advantage, so the Packers should have an advantage in Lambeau. Yet, the Patriots are the most respected franchise around the league. Bill Belichick is the reason why, and I worry about him out coaching Mike McCarthy in this matchup.

The key for the Packers is to be themselves. Don’t shy away from Randall Cobb because Darrelle Revis is covering him, and don’t ignore Nelson because Brandon Browner is getting physical. McCarthy should trust his players to challenge New England‘s secondary.

The game will have a playoff atmosphere, as the media hypes it as a Super Bowl preview.

As usual, I say don’t bet against No. 12.

I just don’t know which No. 12 I’m talking about this week.

Please visit Row12.com  for weekly articles done by myself on college and fantasy football. In last week's College Football Preview, I did a breakdown of Melvin Gordon's Heisman chances. Check that out here . We also have a great staff of writers that covers every major sport.

nerdmann
9 years ago
These penalties seemed to come every single time our team made a play. Pretty ugly. In the 4th quarter, it seemed like we finally got a couple calls.

Agreed on Lacy. Someone commented that this was the type of game we would normally have lost before we had Lacy on this team. I agree with that assessment. Dude shows up every week ready to play for a full 60. Never shits himself.
“Winning is not a sometime thing, it is an all the time thing. You don't do things right once in a while…you do them right all the time.”
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wpr (23h) : I say that he is technically HER BIL as he married her sister. I checked it out, he's considered my BIL as well. Sad.
Mucky Tundra (18-Mar) : wpr, I assume its your BIL via marriage to your wife? If so, I can figure out where the smarts in the family went ;)
wpr (18-Mar) : Mucky my B-I-L is Bare Stupid. I could write a book.
Mucky Tundra (18-Mar) : As a teenager in Rockford IL I would get heckled by adults in public for wearing GB gear
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Mucky Tundra (18-Mar) : Never doubt wprs loyalty. Poor guy is surrounded by Bears fans in Northern IL
wpr (17-Mar) : pass Martha. Thanks for the invite though.
Martha Careful (17-Mar) : blog * as the same ugly Illinois colors were adopted by the Baer
Martha Careful (17-Mar) : WPR, perhaps you should be joining the Bears fans blog has the same ugly Illinois colors were adopted by the Bears
Mucky Tundra (17-Mar) : Ah a fellow U of Illinois hater. I can respect that though I imagine it's for different reasons
Zero2Cool (17-Mar) : BTW. I didn't catch the game. I just hate Illinois.
Mucky Tundra (17-Mar) : They're your Big Ten Chumps and you will like it!
Zero2Cool (17-Mar) : No, not for the record. Referee's handled that BS. Orange team was trash ass
Mucky Tundra (17-Mar) : *Your* Big Ten Chumps for the record
Zero2Cool (17-Mar) : No, not Big Ten Champs. IL is big ten CHUMPS
wpr (17-Mar) : Big Ten Champs
wpr (17-Mar) : !!!
wpr (17-Mar) : INI
wpr (17-Mar) : ILL
Martha Careful (17-Mar) : Wisconsin with an outstanding on in the men’s Big Ten basketball tournament. Let’s hope it continues in the NCAAs
Zero2Cool (17-Mar) : Almost like taking QB in 2020 even if you don't need one is good move.
Mucky Tundra (16-Mar) : 2021 QB Draft class looking like a real clunker
Mucky Tundra (16-Mar) : A conditional 6th rounder? I remember Bears fans arguing they'd get a day 2 pick at worst lol
dfosterf (16-Mar) : So I got the no extension part right and the have to wait on the CW physical wrong
Zero2Cool (16-Mar) : Bears are trading Justin Fields for a 2025 6th-round pick that goes to a 4th-round pick based on playtime, per sources.
Zero2Cool (16-Mar) : Former Packer Jarrett Bush opens Wisconsin’s first blow dry bar in Green Bay
dfosterf (16-Mar) : If the Bears are not doing a deal with Washington, they also cannot trade Fields until Williams physical with them. All hail Caleb Williams!
dfosterf (16-Mar) : The talent is undeniable, but the (advertised) haul is obscene.
dfosterf (16-Mar) : If the Bears are cutting a deal with the Commanders, in either scenario, cannot happen until williams passes a Commanders physical
dfosterf (16-Mar) : My guess is no to the Fields extension, but yes to the trade back with the Commanders.
dhazer (15-Mar) : I think the Bears do a Love extension and they will trade out of the 1st pick and take the haul
Martha Careful (15-Mar) : that might make sense
Zero2Cool (15-Mar) : Justin Fields to Steelers?
Zero2Cool (15-Mar) : Kenny Pickett. Eagles. Done.
Zero2Cool (15-Mar) : They can claim best two WR tandem.
Mucky Tundra (15-Mar) : Aaron Donald retiring
dhazer (15-Mar) : Campbell signing with 49ers
dhazer (15-Mar) : I love how the Bear Fans are now claiming they have the best skill players in the NFC North lol
Zero2Cool (15-Mar) : Vikings made a move to get a 2nd first round pick
Mucky Tundra (15-Mar) : That's a not a bad deal for the Bears
Zero2Cool (15-Mar) : Bears have traded for WR Keenan Allen sending Chargers a fourth rounder.
Martha Careful (15-Mar) : *signs
Martha Careful (14-Mar) : MLB Devon White science with the Eagles
Mucky Tundra (14-Mar) : But that was before FA started
Mucky Tundra (14-Mar) : Dhaze, I thought Kurls would be their #1 target when I read that he was an Amos comp (jack of all trades guy)
dhazer (14-Mar) : I would like to see the Packers target 2 more FA still available Kamren Curl Safety and Chase Young edge
Martha Careful (14-Mar) : wow...didn't see that coming
Zero2Cool (14-Mar) : AJ Dillon re-signing with Packers.
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