What a great game that was for the Green Bay Packers defense last week, wasn't it, Packers fans? The D pitched a shutout against the Seattle Seahawks, allowing a slightly-off Pack offense to do enough to win, 17-0. There were plenty of miscues, including a missed FG (again) from Mason Crosby and the woeful special teams unit, and missed throws by QB Aaron Rodgers who was coming off a week of Covid protocols. It wasn't the team's best performance overall, but against a struggling Seahawks team, it showed that the Packers defense is ramping up.
Unfortunately, that same defense experienced a few injuries, including taking out recently-acquired LB Whitney Mercilus for at least 3 games (who is now on the injured reserve list with a bicep injury), and LB Rashan Gary hyperextending his elbow. Not sure how much he will be able to go with a brace today. With all that in mind...let's get on to the game against the ViQueens.
Preview
This is going to be one of those games that may likely be tight. Minnesota has weapons on offense — Justin Jefferson, Dalvin Cook, and Adam Thielen, among them. QB Kirk Cousins...well, who knows? He's very capable of doing damage to a defense, especially with his receivers. RB Dalvin Cook can also tear up a defense. So the Packers defense will be challenged, for sure. But if they can contain Cook and get pressure on Cousins, there could be a turnover or two available for the taking. That would help today's effort.
If the Pack's offense doesn't click more than in the game with the Seahawks, things could come down to special teams. Oy. Advantage Minnesota.
Head coach Matt LaFleur, after 6-of-9 games on the road and 1 more game yet after today before the team's bye week, did what he could during this week to help keep his team fresh. Physical contact in pads was limited to half a session. Most of the week was walk-throughs. With this game today at Minnesota and next week at home vs. the Rams, the Pack could come away with a 10-2 record if they win both — a great place in which to go into the bye week — or 8-4. Not so great. Even a split, to go 9-3, would be better than dropping both games. Certainly the game against the Rams will be a challenge, so it would be best if the Pack can take care of business — as the better team overall — today.
The Prediction
The stadium will be loud. The game will be the usual physical battle between division rivals. The game could come down to a play being made ... or missed. The oddsmakers have the Packers listed as 1-1/2 point favorites at the time of this writing, attesting to the closeness they see in this contest.
The Packers offense still hasn't clicked on all cylinders, for various reasons. But we think it will be more in sync than last week, despite Rodgers newly-reported toe problem. We also think the number 3-ranked overall defense — without 2 of the top 3 defenders for so long — will hold the ViQueens in check.
We're calling this game Packers 24 - 'Queens 20.
Go Pack Go!!!
