The Pack attack went down to Miami and showed how to win ugly. The defense had people on the edge of their seats throughout Christmas day. Ultimately it was the Tua gifts that sealed the day and pushed Green Bay’s dreams of a postseason run another week. All the stars are aligning for a miracle run despite the sluggish start to the season. The season kicked off with what initially was a shocking defeat in Minnesota where nothing could go right. The team, the players and the coaching are still giving headaches week after week although bright spot Christian Watson has blossomed since Week 1.
Green Bay gets to play host to Minnesota Sunday with their season on the line. Minnesota comes in at 12-3 chasing a potential #1 seed and the only bye. Somehow the Vikings have survived a gauntlet of one score games and last week was no different. They endured a thriller against the New York Giants and a last second FG gave them a 27-24 win to keep their impressive season moving in the right direction. Minnesota has shown vulnerability allowing lesser opponents to hang around and pass underneath their coverage for large volumes of yards especially late in games.
A patient Rodgers can capitalize on this with or without the banged-up Watson. Aaron Jones is an uncertain factor as he was deemed healthy to play last week against Miami, yet we barely saw him utilized with Patrick Taylor getting extra reps along with AJ Dillon. A questionable Watson and potentially hampered Jones don’t bode well for the Packers offense who has stretches of maddening failures in between moments of brilliance. The recipe for beating Minnesota is taking the plays given and hoping to stop Justin Jefferson & TJ Hockenson. Jaire poking the bear of Jefferson isn’t usually a great idea by saying Week 1’s 9 catch 184-yard 2 TD performance was a fluke from Justin Jefferson. Jefferson went on to have 9 more 100-yard games. He should not be taken lightly no matter how much dog Jaire has in him especially after Jaire has been burned by much lesser players this season.
Aaron Rodgers
Passing Attempts o35.5 (-100) Lower
Passing Completions o23.5 (+101) Higher
Passing Yards o255.5 (-111) Higher
Passing TDs o1.5 (-138) Higher
Minnesota ranks 26th against QBs in points allowed to the position. 31st in passing attempts and completions to the position while being dead last in yards allowed. The Viking defense ranks middle of the league in TDs allowed which is the only way they’re not dead last in all pass defense categories.
Aaron Jones
Rushing Yards o51.5 (-115) Lower
Receptions o2.5 (-145) Lower
Receiving Yards o19.5 (-113) Lower
AJ Dillon
Rushing Yards o46.5 (-115) Lower
Receptions o1.5 (-125) Higher
Receiving Yards o13.5 (-117) Higher
Minnesota is 10th in the league in rushing yards allowed so that will not be the recipe to success Sunday. Green Bay has hesitated to stick to the run anyway so lets see 12 sling it.
Allen Lazard
Receptions – o3.5 (-163) Higher
Receiving Yards – o45.5 (-112) Higher
Romeo Doubs
Receptions – o2.5 (-140) Higher
Receiving Yards – o28.5 (-115) Higher
Christian Watson
Receptions – o3.5 (-130) Lower
Receiving Yards – o46.5 (-115) Higher
Wide Receivers have found major success against Minnesota’s anemic defense. Minnesota allows the most receptions to WR in the league with nearly 15 catches a game to the position. They also allow the most receiving yards as well with nearly 205 yards per game.
Bobby Tonyan
Receptions o2.5 (-120) Lower
Receiving Yards o23 (-112) Lower
Minnesota is top 10 in catches allowed and middle of the league in yards as well as TDs allowed. Tonyan has seen limited work as of late so wouldn’t expect this matchup to be the shining spot.
Outlook
Green Bay has been on a crash course for redemption, and this will be a big test in if this team is playoff ready. Minnesota has goals of their own to accomplish so don’t expect them to be thinking too far ahead for their playoff dreams. Can Minnesota keep winning these close games with luck or eventually are they considered a quality team for winning how they need to. Green Bay has to find a way to take control of a game before they can be considered a threat. The defense is going to be punched in the mouth plenty by Dalvin Cook and the Vikings rushing attack and if Joe Barry’s defense starts to look downhill there’s no hope to contain Jefferson and company.
Green Bay finds a way to bring Kirk back to reality with a 34-31 win to start the New Year off right
#GoPackGO
