Been a bit lazy about posting this week. One thing I have to be honest about: I am very anxious for this Monday Night Football game against the Vikings. This battle royale at the House That Hormel Chili Built is going to be one of the most important games for the Packers in several years.
While the Packer’s hope for a #1 seed in the playoffs is quickly fading with the 49ers defeating the Rams, there is still something there if the Cardinals defeat the Seahawks and then the Seahawks defeating the 49ers. Either way, the Packers will obviously fare better in the playoffs as a top seed than a wildcard.
Divisional matchups are by far the hardest to predict in the National Football League (see also: Week 9 – Falcons vs Saints). Most predictions I have come across tend to favor the Vikings for a win given their home field advantage and a general lack of momentum on behalf of the Packers’ offense in recent weeks.
A Repeat of Week 2?
Although Packers did defeat the Vikings in week 2 at Lambeau, the Vikings are a much improved team since then. Kirk Cousins seems to have finally gotten his shit together and is a much better QB than he was in week 2. In fact, that game against the Packers in week 2 was pretty much his worst all season.
Of course, Cousins is notorious for having never won a game on Monday Night Football in his career, but that will only motivate him further. Getting snubbed as a Pro Bowl selection over Aaron Rodgers is probably also likely to motivate him a bit.
As for winning/losing streaks, here’s another angle: Rodgers has never won a game at U.S. Bank Stadium and the Vikings have yet to lose a game there this season.
One Thing Working in Our Favor
The absence of Vikings RB Dalvin Cook on the field Monday night will be a huge boon for the Packers’ chances. The Vikings decided to run him all season like a stolen mule and that has now caught up with them. Cook put up 154-yards against the Packers at Lambeau Field across 20 carries — one of his best games of the season. Lucky for us, he’ll be watching this one on the sideline.
His backup, rookie RB Alexander Mattison, is also listed as questionable.
Odds Against the Packers
According to Odds Shark, the Vikings are a 5.5 point favorite over the Packers. They predict the score to be 31-13 with a Vikings win. Keep in mind that the news of Dalvin Cook’s absence in the game is a recent development.
Looking Ahead
The reality of this Monday night game is that there is extremely little room for mistakes for the Packers. The type of inconsistent play from uglier wins this season will possibly lead the Packers to being a wild card team. Rob wrote earlier that one key to winning in Minnesota will be on the back of Aaron Jones.
I just saw Bree’s scolding one of his receivers about a route. I’m not diggin the dude’s body language. We should probably talk about this…for a few years.
Now he’s yelling at Kamara. I just about had enough with his attitude. I didn’t think any other QB’s even did this. First Brady, now Bree’s, in the same week.
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I might have to write Goodell, this conduct can’t stand. I’m going to recommend a hefty fine for each occurrence….maybe even a “time out”. These receivers ….have feelings ya know.
The title is a bit flamboyant though I’m not sure which other game would topple it from that position. Fact is, Vikings will be without Cook and Mattison and without motivation as well (since you mentioned motivation). Vikes are pretty much locked in as #6. Which likely means Vikings at Packers. Which actually means the Vikings may have motivations to not utilize all players or all plays and hold it for the wildcard game. Holding our “wild” cards so to speak.
Also, refs will hold their flag help for the wild card game likely.
Better watch that Cowboys game. You should root for them to lose. If so then the NFL/refs will need to really get on that Packers bandwagon and help them in order to help themselves to $.
For a fan of a team who has never won anything for over 50 years, you sure care a lot about other teams.
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“You should root for them to lose.” – Lonely Boy
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“You should worry about your own damn self” – PF4L
So…..what are you saying Lonely Boy…your shit fuck team can’t get up to play the Packers at home on MNF?
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Now, you cited 3 items…1) Cook and Mattison being out…2)The queens lack motivation because they are stuck in as a 6th seed……..3)The NFL night get word to the Refs to help the Packers out to increase revenue. (lmao).
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Lastly…Let me ask you this….Are those all the pre game excuses you’d like to use, or do you have a couple more in your back pocket your going to bring out?
So Vikings win, they are superior, Vikings lose they are injured…got it. Oh and the refs, in their shit hole building if the Vikings lose….like a Clay Matthews roughing call maybe?
“without motivation”.
Most fans wait to come up with excuses after the game.
Jason – have similar feelings about this game, however, GB can lose at Minn tomorrow night and still win the division as long as they beat the Lions next week.
Jared Cook..61 yard TD for the Saints….44 yards after the catch.
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The Saints didn’t want to pay Jimmy G more than 7 mill/year back when the Packers gave him his lottery ticket.
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The Packers could have cut Jimmy G, skipped the 5 million roster bonus they gifted him, and signed available Cook back. I guess Gute thought Jimmy G “still had it”. (he might have been the only one)
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The Saints wanted a tight end who could (matter) make plays………Player acquisition matters.
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The Packers 2018 draft so far has sprung (what looks like) a decent aggressive corner in Alexander and a punter who can boot it in (warm) weather. The 9 other players, i guess some of them are still in the league….for now.
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But i’m not worried about our future at tight end…….Gutekunst sees Sternberger as ‘matchup problem’ downfield.
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Don’t mind me, i’m venting.
Been wide open down the field two weeks in a row. Would help if Golden boy threw him the ball
Check that….Cook had 2 TD’s yesterday, or….the same total Jimmy G had all last season.
Assuming the Cardinals hold on against Seattle, the Packers are still very much in play for the number one seed. Packers win out, Seattle loses today and then wins next week against San Fran, the Packers have homefield. Who woulda thought?
Hundley plays big for the Packers today in relief of Kyler Murray. Made it possible for the Packers to get homefield.
Did you see playa rockin his 14 yard rush? I saw it in a highlight, by his reaction i thought he just won the SB as time ran out.
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Truth be told, i actually feel bad for the guy…his wife dumped him for some rapper apparently.
I’m surprised the Vikings don’t hold a parade and put a banner up every time they beat the Packers. It’s the closest they’ll ever get to a Super Bowl.
I’m just afraid (after reading the headline of this article) that if the queens win, someone in here will say the vikings finally won a Super Bowl :)
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DEEP LONG CHUCKLE
I knew these hyperbolic headlines were gonna backfire someday
Yes Sir…..You have to be ultra cognizant whenever you use the words “vikings” and Super Bowl in the same sentence.
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LONG DEEP CHUCKLE