Green Bay Packers ( 4 - 2 )
[list]Total Offense = 2nd
Passing Offense = 4th
Rushing Offense = 6th

Total Defense = 15th
Passing Defense = 24th
Rushing Defense = 3rd

Points For = 28.0 (4th)
Points Against = 21.2 (12th)[/list]




Minnesota Vikings ( 1 - 5 )
[list]

Total Offense = 25th

Passing Offense = 24th

Rushing Offense = 19th

Total Defense = 27th

Passing Defense = 29th

Rushing Defense = 14th

Points For = 22.0 (19th)

Points Against = 30.2 (29th)[/list]

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After watching the Viqueens against the Giants, I find it hard to not be a complete homer in any predictions for this game.

Obvious keys for our defense.
1. Continue shutting down the run game. Adrian has had the Packers number, but with a much improved team run defense this year I look forward to this matchup.
2. Don't believe we'll be able to generate as much quarterback pressure as the Giants did, but it's obvious that pressuring Freeman will generate opportunities for the DBs to get there hands on some balls.
3. Offensively, minimize any pressure that the Viqueens front can provide and we should be able to put some big points on the board.

Prediction:
Packers - 34
Vikings - 10

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It's a division game on the road, and there's always the potential albeit slim of the Vikings snapping out of their badness. I think they will come out fired up, and very quickly come down to earth - unless the Packers reward them early with turnovers and/or gaffs on defense. The Vikings do still have decent personnel in their O Line and front seven D, even though they haven't played like it, and of course Peterson is still dangerous, although I suspect he has dropped off just a little bit himself this season.

On the Packers side, when the wideouts got hurt, Rodgers took advantage of the D being less tight on Boykin, etc. If Finley is out, I would expect the same - Quarless and one or more of the other TEs getting some action.

Packers win 41 - 10

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It's a division game on the road, and there's always the potential albeit slim of the Vikings snapping out of their badness. I think they will come out fired up, and very quickly come down to earth - unless the Packers reward them early with turnovers and/or gaffs on defense. The Vikings do still have decent personnel in their O Line and front seven D, even though they haven't played like it, and of course Peterson is still dangerous, although I suspect he has dropped off just a little bit himself this season.

On the Packers side, when the wideouts got hurt, Rodgers took advantage of the D being less tight on Boykin, etc. If Finley is out, I would expect the same - Quarless and one or more of the other TEs getting some action.

Packers win 41 - 10

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33 - 13 Packers. I'd expect Peterson to get around 100 yards on 20-some carries. One big play will get the Vikings a TD but beyond that they'll struggle to muster even field goals. Packers are efficient on offense but don't do anything explosive.

If we let them hang around in any way, they could get sparked.

But Freeman doesn't know the playbook yet, and this team is a disaster.

I don't think they believe they can win. They might be prone to just take some cheap shots at our players.

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This worries me more than "how to beat them."

I don't think there is anything wrong with that feeling. There are just some games that, unless you totally shit yourself (to borrow a phrase from nerdman) you just should win. This is one of those games. The problem I have is when people make stupid comments like "there is no way in hell the vikings have a chance in this game" or " we can't lose" Be confidant and make your predictions, even bold ones, but don't forget to at least acknowledge the other team does have a chance.

A fully healthy GB team hangs 40 no problem vs this Vikings team. Now? More like 24-27 which should be enough as long as Peterson is kept in check. The only way I see GB losing this game is if Peterson runs wild and Allen manhandles Bahktiari like he did Barbre back in 09.

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As long as the Packers don't take this game lightly (which I don't think they will), I don't see this one being close. Freeman has the nod to start again and with a short week, they aren't going to be able to fit much more plays into the playbook for him. I am confident in the Packers revamped run defense and think they can do exactly what the Giants did and stop Peterson. I don't think Peterson is the same right now and I think he is secretly fighting some emotions still with the loss of his son. He just isn't playing the same game right now.

Our DBs can cover their receivers. End of that.

On the offense side, Boykin needs to have another big week to fill the void. James Jones would add so much to this offense but I don't think there is a necessary need for him to rush back. Quarless and Co won't fill the Finley void but even filling half the void will be helpful. Bahktiari needs to do work against Allen and I think he can on his own for a majority of the time, but will need chip help here and there.

After 3 weeks now (since his return), Lacy has been a leading rusher in the league. Amazing. Keep handing that kid the ball and let him do his thing. He will make the rest of the offense click.

Oh, and of course...SPECIAL TEAMS. They need to show up on Sunday night because that is really the only true scoring threat outside of Peterson this team has right now.

I'm going to say Rodgers goes off and throws for 300+ yards and 3 touchdowns, Lacy adds 1 and defense adds another.

Pack- 35
Vikes- 13

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