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The Matchup: Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings
Sunday November 21, 2021 12:00PM CDT
Line as of 5pm Friday via Bovada Sportsbook. (Click here to see all NFL current lines)
Packers -1.5
Total: 49
Packers head coach Matt Lafleur is a breath of fresh air when compared to former head coach Mike McCarthy. After all, Lafleur takes responsibility for his failures and admits his shortcomings. His teams tend to win close games as opposed to losing them. And young Lafleur is more open and honest with the local media than his predecessor, who preferred temper tantrums over disclosure anytime someone dared question his “highly successful” judgement.
And we won’t even go into clock management. That’s for the day after the Cowboys are eliminated from the playoffs.
But when Matt Lafleur uttered the following words at his media availability on Monday, there was no doubt in my mind that this was the quote of the week.
“I think our team is tired, to be honest with you.”
This is not so shockingly surprising for several reasons. First, the Packers have endured more than half the season without the luxury of the bye week, something the Vikings had in Week 7. The Packers had to contend with not only their quarterback (and other key players) getting Covid, but also the fallout that came with Rodgers unveiling himself as a lying, Joe Rogan-loving, woke-mob hating, anti-science, self-centered douche.
Actually, it is quite possible the Packers have known all of this for a long time and was the motivation for general manager Brian Gutekunst and president Mark Murphy to move up and draft Jordan Love in the first round a couple years back. Still, that it all came to light for the rest of us to see is certainly not a good look.
Oh. And now Rodgers also has a case of Toevid he won’t tell anyone anything about, making it as believable as him being allergic to an unnamed ingredient in the vaccine. We’ve all heard the tale of the boy who cried wolf, and for many, anything Rodgers says ever again will be taken with a grain of salt. You can tell some local reporters feel this way, interjecting nearly repetitive questions in order to verify Rodgers isn’t trying to mislead or talk around answers. Can you blame them?
So even though the Packers are coming in red hot, covering in nine straight games against the spread, there appears to be some reason for caution. The early line on this game opened Packers -2, immediately shot up to 2.5, then retreated back to -1.5 where it currently sits. The Wynn Las Vegas, in an attempt to court Packers action, currently has Green Bay at just -1. Here are how the two teams stack up.
And what has happened since Matt Lafleur’s declaration on Monday that his team is tired? His quarterback didn’t practice until Friday, Alan Lazard is doubtful with a shoulder injury and who the hell really knows what’s going on down in the bowels of Lambeau Field in the Packers locker room. Who the hell knows indeed.
The Packers look like a team in need of a break. In the next two weeks prior to the Packers bye, they are looking at the Vikings Sunday followed by a Rams team that will be coming off a bye of their own. Nice timing, right? Some might feel this week is a prime spot for the Packers to let down and focus on the Rams as that could be considered the more consequential game for end-of-the-season tie-breaker scenarios. There’s no question both games have important implications and even though the Packers do have a substantial lead on the Vikings in the NFC North, that lead becomes tenuous with a loss this Sunday. And with a loss to the Vikings, comes a ton of pressure on the team heading into the Rams game before the bye. In other words, the Vikings could be the Packers’ proctologist in just a couple short weeks. Up. Their. Ass.
I feel strongly that the Packers are almost certain to lose one of the next two games, but in every locker room in the NFL the first goal of the season is to win your division. Under no circumstances should a Matt Lafleur-led team be looking past those pukes from the other side of the Mississippi River. This has the feel of a game where the Packers need to stay close. If it starts to get away from them early, Lafleur has in essence given his team an excuse to phone it in. They’re a tired football team.
So being the point-spread in this game is pretty much a non-factor, I do like the Packers to win and cover, but not enough to recommend them. I’ll sit back and watch and hope they can get it done.
TAKE THE UNDER!
Not only have the Packers covered in 9-straight, they’ve gone under the total in their last 7, thanks to a reborn defense under the guidance of new defensive coordinator Joe Barry. When taking a look at the Vikings results to date, it becomes pretty apparent that the team’s success is reliant upon the arm of Kirk Cousins more than it is on the legs of Dalvin Cook.
If we disregard the week 1 game against the Bengals as an outlier, so far this season the Vikings only win games when Kirk Cousins puts up a big number. It has helped that in each of those cases, Cousins also received ample support from the running game. So a big game from Cousins almost assures the Vikings win, while a big game from Dalvin Cook helps, but doesn’t appear as important. The Packers have won a few games this exact way and it will likely be the strategy again: Don’t let these very good wide receivers beat you for big plays and hope either you can contain the run, or your opponent abandons it like Pete Carroll did last week, dropping back to pass at an almost 3:1 ratio.
Although this will be one of the tougher tasks for the Packers secondary, does anyone really see Kirk Cousins going off for over 275 yards when you know Joe Barry’s focus will be stopping them? I don’t. Now that might mean Dalvin Cook rushes for 200 yards and if that happens I don’t need to tell you what that means. But if the Packers can keep Cousins + Cook to under 400 yards, that seems to be a strong recipe for success.
Because I do heed the words of Matt Lafleur and take caution in the expectations for this team this week, it feels like only a blowout loss and an early-raising of the white flag could lead to this one going over.
PROPS TO PT
If you’re looking for some prop bets to consider, look into Patrick Taylor who was moved up from the practice squad recently, saw a couple carries in the win against Seattle and will be firmly entrenched as the #2 running back behind AJ Dillon for the next couple weeks while Aaron Jones rehabs an MCL. Although at the time of this post, no lines were yet made available on individual players, I will immediately be looking at the Over/Under for receptions. Aaron Rodgers went out of his way to say some very nice things about Taylor, including that he is “a precise route-runner” and then also “He will play a lot and I expect him to play well.” Since being elevated to a larger role, Taylor has been making media appearances himself and has spoken about being an extremely detail-oriented person and player.
That sounds like someone who might have a nice week…and at a nice price!
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The gap between Aaron Rodgers and Kirk Cousins is narrowing. Cousins is actually having a very good year. The Vikings have lost some games they should have won. They’re in desperation mode while we’re banged up and beat up. It’s nearly impossible to go undefeated in your division. I predicted 5-1 before the season started with the one loss coming to Minnesota on the road. I’ll stand by that. Unless of course Rodgers plays like he did last year but that’s unlikely. We’ll see if the Vikings defense can make him pay when he forces everything to Adams. We already know he can’t hit MVS on a deep route. If he sticks to handing the ball to Dillion we’ll have a chance. Will he? Smart money takes the Vikings.
Funny how things eventually come full circle.
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It wasn’t too long ago Princess was telling us how good Cousins was (albeit under a different name), and how he was a better QB than Rodgers.
Of course, that was before Rodgers MVP season.
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During Rodgers MVP season, Ragnar decided not to broach that subject for awhile.
But….here we are….lol.
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As previously stated…Tommi reads like a book.
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Good look with your vikings tomorrow Ragner.
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Win or lose tomorrow, the vikings will enjoy watching the Packers in the playoffs again this year…on their couches.
After 56 years of failure chasing a Super Bowl victory.
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SKOL!
I see, you think I’m that transparent PF4L? Because I don’t walk around with Aaron Rodgers dick in my mouth like you do. I therefore must be a Vikings fan. You can be a Packer fan and be critical of Aaron Rodgers. This is the only name I’ve ever posted under. I don’t hide who I am and I state my opinion just like everyone else. You love your stats. Tell us what lover boy’s stats are and then compare them to Cousins. I’d bet there similar. I say the Vikings are talented enough to be a wild card team. And I would not want to face them in the playoffs. You don’t have the balls to say the Packers will win tomorrow only the Vikings won’t make the playoffs. So which is it son? If the Vikings are are shitty team then the Packers should win going away. But you won’t come out and say it. Your typical bullshit.
*They’re…..c/o Ferris
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No Princess, i think you’re transparent, because you’re transparent.
It has nothing at all to do with your obsession with the male penis.
But you go where your mind takes you, that’s ok.
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I don’t know who is going to win tomorrow Princess.
I’m not all knowing.
But i do know the vikings are not going to the playoffs.
If i’m wrong, i’m wrong. It won’t be the first time
If that is my “typical bullshit”….then so be it.
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Speaking of which…..
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Can i ask again how……
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““The Packers guaranteed Jordan Love’s 5th year before he ever made it to town.” – Princess
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How did/does that happen….exactly?
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Go ahead, strap on your big boy pants, give it a shot…..Educate us :)
Well?
“Oh. And now Rodgers also has a case of Toevid he won’t tell anyone anything about, making it as believable as him being allergic to an unnamed ingredient in the vaccine.” – Andrew
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Toevid?
Really?
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So his toe injury is “unbelievable” to you?
So he’s lying?
And the Packers are lying about the injury to the NFL in the injury report?
What’s his motivation…to get out of practice?
Really?
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C’mon man!!!
Are you related to Tommi with these juvenile and fictional insinuations?
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Whats next?….are we going to have an article about the Packers guaranteeing Rashan Gary’s 5th year option, before he got into Green Bay?
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That would be a must read….lol
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Go for it.
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*Now i remember why i don’t read many of these articles except for Robs.
You don’t like being triggered by anyone not sucking Rodgers’ dick
What is the obsession with some of you about sucking Rodgers cock?
Personally…i think you should concentrate more on the posting delay problems this website has experienced for 6 months, and less time spent thinking about sucking Rodgers cock.
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But hey….you do what you are comfortable doing.