So as the nightmare scenario for Packer fans draws nearer, I thought I’d go over this game in detail. Going to examine three parts to this game, what the Vikings need to do to win, the Saints, and 3 ex-packers who could determine the outcome of this game.
What do the Vikings need to do to win?
Essentially play the exact same game they did last week against the Boys. It starts with their D….if they can control the line of scrimmage with their front four, I believe the Saints have no chance. Jared Allen again will match up with a backup left tackle. The only difference is this guy, Bushrod, has already played a few weeks. Really though, if the Vikings can protect Favre while get constant pressure on Brees, they should win this game. But its not that simple, this game is on the road….Here are their road games this year..
W – 34-20 @ Cleveland
W – 27-13 @ Detroit
W – 38-10 @ STL
L – 27-17 @ PITT
W – 38-26 @ GB
L – 30-17 @ AZ
L – 26-6 @ CAR
L – 36-30 @ CHI
The only team they beat this year on the road with a winning record was Green Bay. Now its not the Vikings fault that they had a cake schedule but Sunday they face one of the best offenses since Kurt Warner’s Rams, on the road, in a dome.
How do the Saints win this game?
Strike first and often. The Saints need to score first and fast. Like a quick 80 yard punt return or long pass. This will put a sting into the heads of them Vikings. And it might bring the gunslinger back on the other side of the ball. They also have to bring some heat to Favre, disguising their blitzes…do something they haven’t done all year maybe. I also think for the Saints to win Reggie Bush has to have an impact in more ways than one.
Ex-Packers to watch
- Brett Favre – I think how the first quarter goes will determine how his game goes. If the Vikings don’t fall behind early he will stay with what the Saints give him and not take many chances. And if he has another game with not being touched then look out, he can control this game. Last week, the Saints were able to get in the face of another old, veteran QB, can they do it again?
- Darren Sharper – He’s always talking a big game, this is the time for him to back it up. He needs a pick in this game…
- Ryan Longwell – After hearing him on KFAN the other night, I’m thinking he’s the best bet for potential goat. If the Vikings need him at the end, for like a 45 yeard FG…I’m thinking he’ll miss it.
Prediction
I see the Vikings coming out thinking they are the better team, which they are mostly. Most analysts are going with the Vikings, the same dumbasses who picked the Cowboys. The Saints will come out early, get up by 14. Favre leads the Vikes to a furious comeback in the 3rd quarter…then Reggie Bush drops a bomb…then Longwell chokes.
Saints 38 Vikings 37
Published on January 22, 2010 10:53 am.
Filed under: 2009 Season, NFC Championship, NFC North, Predictions, playoffs Tags: Favre, longwell, NFC Championship, reggie bush, saints, sharper
Can anyone stop Finley in the red zone?
While they played an uncaring Giants team, the Vikings looked sharp. They will be really tough to beat at home. And Green Bay rolled over Arizona as they sat most of their starters. I think it was a good move by both teams, the Cardinals have playoff experience on their roster while the Packers are young and have virtually none. Whoever emerges from next week’s rematch will be the dark horse to make a run to Miami. They are both solid on offense and defense and have gifted, mistake-free quarterbacks.
Week 17 Winners
- Aaron Rodgers
- Ryan Grant – He’s been playing solid last 5 weeks now.
- Packer D – Woodson (another TD), Matthews (constant pressure)
- Favre – Since the 2nd half of last week’s loss to the Bears, he’s been smooth. Question is, does this signifiy that he is calling the plays now or?
Week 17 Losers
- Giants team – They started 5-0, and finished 8-8. Last two games they were outscored 44-7 and 41-9. Ouch.
Published on January 4, 2010 9:25 am.
Filed under: 2009 Season, Dark Horse, Favre, Game Summary, NFC North Tags: Favre, giants, grant, matthews, rodgers, ryan grant, woodson
It’s the last week of the regular season and I don’t recall another final week with not so much drama involved. Most playoff spots are decided, except for the AFC. So this week is more of a guess as you have no clue who’s going to play (or not play)
Packers @ Cardinals – Green Bay has nothing to play for, they either have the 5 or 6 seed. The Cardinals could be in the running for the 2 seed if the Vikings fall in the early game. If Vikings lose, Cardinals 28 Packers 16…otherwise I see this being a preseason type game as they will most likely have a Wild Card rematch next week. Packers 33 Cardinals 30.
Side note: I’m hoping the Vikings lose so the Cardinals play all out in this game while giving the Packers the opportunity to rest ailing players.
Giants @ Vikings – Even though they have been reeling (losing 3 of 4), the Vikings are still a good team, and they are especially good at home. Will the Giants try to gain some respect after last week’s debacle? Probably not. Vikings 36 Giants 20.
Bears @ Lions – This could end up being the game of the week because its all about pride. Should be a brusing game that the Bears will walk away with towards the end. Bears 38 Lions 29.
Published on January 3, 2010 10:32 am.
Filed under: 2009 Season, NFC North, Predictions Tags: giants, playoffs, seeding
So after a MNF loss to the Bears, the Vikings now have to get ‘help’ to earn the #2 seed in the playoffs. The Vikings played good in the second half an injury riddled Bears but it wasn’t enough as Jay Cutler threw an overtime TD pass. The Vikings did nothing in the first half and moved the ball at will in the second half. It makes me wonder who was calling the plays here, maybe Favre tried to prove a point by not audibling any of Chilli’s play calls in the first half. Anyways, after the game it was fun to watch Childress explain the game. Notice during minute nine when he’s responding to questions from Tom Powers. You can tell Chilli didn’t appreciate him too much.
This reminded me of an article last week where Mr. Powers wrote about interviewing Childress while he was in a towel after last week’s loss. I agree with Chilli here, first of all Powers shouldn’t be hanging around the locker room so long. And if you are, that means the Vikings trust you a bit and won’t report on any meetings (arguments) you overheard.
So now the Vikings need the Cowboys to beat the Eagles next week (and beat the Giants) to secure the #2 seed. Otherwise we could potentially see Favre vs Packers III.
Published on December 29, 2009 8:37 am.
Filed under: 2009 Season, Bears, Favre, Game Summary, NFC North Tags: Bears, childress, chilli, playoffs, tom powers
Seahawks @ Packers – This will be one of those semi-sloppy type blowout games, Lambeau will be rockin no matter what. Packers 31 Seattle 13
Vikings @ Bears – Since its a meaningless game for the Bears, this is the game ESPN has built up the Favre/Childress story as much as possible….so who knows how accurate/significant it is…Slightly bad weather and this will be a serious spin game for the Vikings. Otherwise the Bears just roll over. Bears 22 Vikings 16 (or if weather is fine and Bears don’t show up Vikings 28 Bears 3)
Lions? Why bother.
Published on December 27, 2009 7:49 am.
Filed under: 2009 Season, Lambeau Field, NFC North, Predictions Tags: Bears, espn, Favre, seattle
So while the Packers suffered the same outcome as the Cardinals in last year’s Super Bowl, the Vikings fell utterly flat last night, getting trounced by the Panthers. The result of both teams’ losing? Vikings win the NFC North. This will really suck now if the Packers win out and the Vikings lose out. But the one story that might really take off this week is this whole thing where Chilli wanted to remove Favre from the game last night. It was in the 3rd Quarter with the Vikings leading 7-6. Was Chilli trying to protect Favre? Or did he honestly believe his team had a better chance with T Jack? This quote made me think of what would have happened if Chilli REALLY tried to sit him. Would Favre behave like a little kid sitting on the floor at Target crying for his mom to get him that Star Wars toy?
“Yeah, there was a heated discussion, I guess you would call it,” said Favre, who finished 17-for-27 for 224 yards with no touchdowns and an interception. “We were up 7-6 at the time. No secret, I was getting hit a little bit. I felt the pressure on a lot of plays. We had seven points. So I think everyone in the building was like, ‘They’re not moving the ball. They’re not getting points.’ Brad wanted to go in a different direction and I wanted to stay in the game.
“We were up 7-6. Yeah, it’s not 70-6, but we’re up 7-6. So I said, ‘I’m staying in the game, I’m playing.’ I don’t know if it was exactly to protect me, or we had seven points, I’m not sure. That’s his call. But we talked it out. We didn’t have time, I didn’t have time to sit there and say why or what. My response was, we’ve got to win this ballgame and I want to stay in and do whatever I can. Now, unfortunately, I didn’t do that, but that was my intention.”
As a side note, this attempt to bench Favre proves that Chilli will never bring home a Super Bowl for Minneapolis. Although T Jack would have provided some mobility which the Vikings sorely needed last night.
For the last few years the Vikings have been importing Green Bay players with the penultimate pick up being Favre. Now why don’t the Vikings say fuck it, and go all out. Fire Chilli and sign Holmgren as GM. Then he could hire like Gruden or Mariucci as coach.
Published on December 21, 2009 7:56 am.
Filed under: 2009 Season, Game Summary, NFC North Tags: chilli, controversy, Favre, panthers, steelers, whiner
I am a week late on this so its going to be Quarter Three +1. Here are the NFC North standings after 13 games on the board.
Vikings 11-2
Packers 9-4
Bears 5-8
Lions 2-11
My second quarter forecast for Green Bay is off, they have been resurgent since the Tampa loss. It looks like Rodgers and crew have been able to pull off what Favre and Co did in 1993. Let’s hope this continues. Despite the AZ loss, the Vikings have continued to roll. Here are the remaining games..
Vikings – @CAR, @CHI, NYG
Packers – @PITT, SEA, @AZ
Bears – @BAL, MIN, @DET
Lions – AZ, @SF, CHI
The Vikings just need one win here (or one GB loss) to clinch the division. And, unless there’s bad weather in Charlotte this week, I see them doing just that on Sunday. BUT if somehow they stumble, then they would have to either win in the cold in Chicago or at home against the Giants. This game would be meaningless for the Giants unless the Cowboys continue to struggle thus opening up the last wild card spot. (If Green Bay stumbles which means the Vikings win anyway)
So, in essence, the Packers only chance is to win out with the Vikings (and Cowboys) losing out. Which means this Sunday’s games are key. If the last game @AZ is meaningless for the Cardinals then Green Bay’s toughest remaning game is the Steelers. Do they have any life left? Will Poulamulu play? Chances of all this happening and Green Bay miraculously winning the division? Like 100-1. If the Vikings manage to lose to Carolina and the Packers win against Pitt…..Then things get real interesting.
Predictions:
Vikings 13-3 (@CHI)
Packers 11-5 (@AZ, meaningless game for both teams but then Green Bay goes back to AZ for Wild Card!)
Bears 6-10
Lions 2-14
Published on December 16, 2009 9:50 am.
Filed under: 2009 Season, NFC North, Predictions Tags: carolina, division, NFC North, rodgers, third quarter, wild card
Packers @ Bears
This seems to be an easy pick here…Packers are rolling, Bears are reeling. Its the a must win for Green Bay and a who cares game for the Bears. But there’s one thing in favor for the Bears…Soldier Field and recent history. Lovie Smith has a good history against Green Bay and was embarrassed Week 1. And if its frigid conditions with the normal December blistery wind its anybody’s game.
But the Packers have too much on the line to lose this one…I think they don’t win without consequences though. I can see them getting a couple injuries that linger for a couple weeks. But please, JUST DON’T SCREW UP ON SPECIAL TEAMS!
Green Bay 22-13
Bengals @ Vikings
Last week, the Vikings found themselves behind by two scores and what happened? Collapse. Favre turns into the Gunslinger, Chilli does nothing, injuries happen, etc. So this week, even though the Bengals are mainly a running team, maybe they come out passing. If they can get a lead, watch out. (There could even be boo-birds at halftime) But I don’t know, AP is SOOO due. And Favre has had a great year, as much as I’d love for him to flop he’s not this soft.
Vikings 31 – Ravens 28
Lions @ Bengals
Prediction….Pain
Ravens 30-3
Published on December 12, 2009 11:26 pm.
Filed under: 2009 Season, Bears, Favre, NFC North, Predictions Tags: bengals, collapse, Favre, playoff, ravens, soldier field, wild card
J Finley scores a big TD and gets a quick drink
Some notes on last night’s game, which has left me all wired and crazy…
1. Clay Mathews! Like a dream combo of Kampman and Hawk.
1a. BJ Raji! Like a man among boys out there at times–a slightly less beastly Haloti Ngata.
2. And speaking of Hawk, who knew that he was born to play in a 3-4? I just about pooped myself when he picked Flacco in the fourth quarter. I think we saw his last INT live at KC.
3. Jarrett Bush gave up a big play–good to know there are some absolutes in the NFL world.
4. Another guarantee–a momentum-swinging botch by the GB special teams. Shawn Slocum should hit the road.
5. The hometown refs (or at least the game they called) really favored the Packers last night. Tramon Williams is a total thug, which is a compliment…and also sort of NOT a compliment.
6. John Gruden, with his constant molasses drip of a voice and bottomless bag of Sterling Sharpe references, is growing on me. But the line of the night came from Tirico, when he was told that the game had the second-highest penalty yards ever: “That’s a memory we’ll all cherish.” Or something like that.
7. “Jerry Rice Fumble! Jerry Rice Fumble!”: overheard while Steve Young led the Aaron Rodgers postgame circle jerk.
8. I can’t believe I’m writing this, but the Pack’s D is totally legit. They need a better corner, but the rest of the guys are solid. Happy trails, Kampman–you were one of the good guys.
9. Woodson’s tackle of McGahee on the 1 was a thing of beauty.
10. Rodgers on third down. What an assassin. But his run up the middle was probably my favorite play of the night.
11. Hope you get well for Pack-Bears at noon on Sunday. Thinking of doing up some barbeque or something.
12. Matt Bowen’s scheme analysis of the game is sweet.
Feel better, yo. This team is starting to take over too much of my spare time. Seattle’s looking great.
Addison
Published on December 8, 2009 2:30 pm.
Filed under: 2009 Season, Game Summary, Lambeau Field, NFC North Tags: gruden, jerry rice, ravens, rodgers, sterling sharpe, woodson
Who really cares about the Lions and Bears this week…
Vikings @ Arizona - This is the first good team the Vikings have played in a while. Cardinals 35 Vikings 32
Ravens @ Packers - Going to be a cold, tough game. Both teams can’t afford anymore losses. Better team wins this game. The key, like many cold weather games, will be special teams and both team’s running game. Unless McCarthy comes out in a snowsuit with an electric heater…Packers 26 Ravens 17
Published on December 6, 2009 8:56 am.
Filed under: 2009 Season, NFC North, Predictions Tags: cardinals, ravens
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