Vikings vs. Packers Free Pick

The lack of playmakers, inconsistent running game, and weak offensive line was too much for the Packers offense to overcome. Following a stretch of three losses in four games, the Vikings moved back into contention for the division title with lopsided wins over Chicago and the New York Giants.

It hasn’t panned out and while the Packers have been perennial contenders, it’s always something.

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. Granted, tight end Rob Gronkowski is a beast, but he’s had a sprained knee. And is it really a home field advantage for the Vikings any more? Making plays in the defensive secondary is S Harrison Smith, who has four INT-TDs since 2012, including a pick six in last week’s playoff-clinching win.

On Friday, Teddy gets his shot to lead his team – in the cold, and on the road, at Lambeau Field.

The Vikings must reverse a losing trend against the Packers.

Last, if the Vikings lose to Green Bay and Seattle defeats Arizona, Minnesota would be the #6 seed.

Despite starting the season 6-0, the Packers haven’t been firmly in control of the NFC North because their play has been far from satisfactory since coming off the bye week Halloween weekend. The Packers rank 26th in the league with 215.3 passing yards per game. The Vikings certainly won’t miss Nelson.

The victor of the Packers/Vikings game is the NFC North champion and the No. 3 seed, while the loser is a wild card team – Green Bay (10-5) would be the No. 5 seed and Minnesota (10-5) could be the No. 5 or No. 6 depending on the Arizona vs. Seattle outcome. Instead, Green Bay will likely finish as one of the few teams without a 1,000 yard receiver, and the 31-year old offseason signee James Jones may finish the season as the team leader in both receiving yards and touchdowns. Both Adrian Peterson and Doug Martin have more yardage and touchdowns by themselves. Up front DE Everson Griffin (8.5 sacks) has 18.5 sacks in his past 26 games and six in his past seven against Green Bay.

The Packers will be looking for linebacker Clay Matthews, one of their best defenders, to rally from a two-game slump in which he hasn’t made even one tackle.

With 10-5 records, both teams are already guaranteed their places in the postseason. “Right now we have 10 wins and playing for a chance to win a division title”.

“I just happened to be watching that game upstairs earlier today and the guy still looks like a surgeon to me when he throws the ball”, said Zimmer, referencing the Packers’ 38-8 loss last week to Arizona.

It’s a foregone conclusion that pass-rusher Mario Williams and his $12.9-million cap hit will be gone from the Buffalo Bills roster next year.

There are still plenty if issues to be resolved in week 17 and it can be a tricky one for punters to negotiate before the serious business starts in the play-offs. “And I’m OK with that”, Rodgers said when asked about bigger expectations for him. That was dismal by his standards and his third lowest effort of the season. The battle for the NFC North will go into overtime.

Luck, according to the source, needed pain-killing injections to play and was limited by the injury, which impacted his throwing motion and accuracy.

In the below play, it looks like Sharrif Floyd jumps out of his gap, allowing the Giants offensive lineman to get to the second level and corral Eric Kendricks, who had responsibility to the outside.

“I just try to be honest”, the former Murphy High School star said. You feel like you’re letting people down.