Vikings-Packers Preview: NFC North Rivals Square Off in Week 8
For the 126th time, the Minnesota Vikings will face off against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday. It's expected to be a chilly late-October afternoon at Lambeau Field, which the Vikings will certainly take after getting blown out in early January in their last two trips to Wisconsin.
There's a lot that will be different about this game than the typical matchup between these two NFC North rivals. For the first time since 2006, both teams are below .500. For just the third time in the last 64 meetings, the Packers' quarterback won't be Brett Favre or Aaron Rodgers. And for just the fourth time since 1992, the Vikings are entering a game at Lambeau Field as the favored team.
That's because, even if the Vikings' 3-4 record doesn't look much different than the Packers' 2-4 mark, these two teams are trending in very different directions.
The Vikings started out the year 0-3. Since then, they've won three of four games, including a statement upset victory over the 49ers on Monday night. Kevin O'Connell's team currently sits in the seventh seed in the NFC and suddenly is right back in the playoff hunt.
The Packers, meanwhile, got off to a 2-1 start in their first season with Jordan Love as their starting quarterback. Since then, they've lost three in a row, including a two-touchdown home defeat against the Lions (who are searching for their first division title in 30 years). It's been a tradition-breaking year in the NFC North so far.
Jordan Love has thrown six interceptions during the Packers' three-game losing streak.
Green Bay has been outscored 63-6 in the first half in its last four games. Matt LaFleur's team was able to rally and beat the Saints in Week 3, but comeback attempts against the Raiders and Broncos both fell short. Love, who had six touchdowns and no picks in the season's first two games, has six total touchdowns and seven interceptions in the last four contests. The 24-year-old has completed just 57.5 percent of his passes this season.
If the Vikings can replicate their performance from Monday night against the 49ers, they should have some on-paper advantages in this game. Brian Flores' ultra-aggressive defense, which has forced three turnovers in consecutive outings, may be able to pick off a couple more Love passes by forcing him into bad decisions. The Vikings' offense, which played very well on Monday without Justin Jefferson, will be looking to move the ball against a Packers defense that ranks 27th in DVOA, is tied for last in the league in takeaways, and has struggled to stop both the run and the pass.
Then again, there's a reason why the Vikings are just 1.5-point favorites on the road this weekend. Lambeau Field will always be a difficult place to win, and the Vikings need to prove they can play at the level they showed on Monday more than once before they start getting the benefit of the doubt.
This Packers team still has plenty of talent. Aaron Jones, Christian Watson, and Romeo Doubs are big-play threats for LaFleur's offense, which is without left tackle David Bakhtiari. Defensively, Rashan Gary is a game-wrecking edge talent and the Vikings know all too well what Kenny Clark can do on the interior. Preston Smith and Devonte Wyatt are also dangerous within the Packers' front. On the back end, Jaire Alexander and Rasul Douglas are a strong cornerback duo and safety Rudy Ford is having a nice year. Considering the roster, a lot of blame has gone towards coordinator Joe Barry for the Packers' rough season on defense.
Injury-wise, four Green Bay starters — Alexander, LB De'Vondre Campbell, TE Luke Musgrave, and C Josh Myers — are questionable for Sunday's game. It's unclear if Ezra Cleveland (questionable, foot) will be back at left guard for the Vikings or if Dalton Risner will get another start.
This should be a fun one. The Vikings will look to stretch their winning streak to three by getting off to a hot start and forcing Love to play catch-up again. The Packers desperately need to get this win at home and snap their losing streak at three.
Kickoff is Sunday at noon central on FOX.
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