So, Packers fans...have you recovered yet from last Sunday evening's remarkable comeback victory over that team from Chicago? Proves once again that it's not how you start but how you finish that counts. And, boy, did the Pack finish! Thanks to a gutsy performance by a one-legged QB by the name of Aaron Rodgers.
|
Photo copyright Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. |
What do things look like today for the Pack in the game against the rival ViQueens? Not great, we're afraid. Here's what the SportsLine folks say about its 10,000 simulations of today's game:
SportsLine Projection Model's score: Vikings 24, Packers 23
Vegas line: The Packers are favored by one point, down from 2.5 points (O/U 46.5)
CBS SPORTS: VEGAS CONTEST MAKES PACKERS BIG UNDERDOGS
Projected Statistics: Kirk Cousins passes for 257 yards, two TDs and one INT, with Dalvin Cook rushing for 64 yards and Adam Thielen catching six passes for 70 yards to lead the Vikings. For the Packers, Aaron Rodgers goes for 228 yards and two TDs and Davante Adams gets 66 receiving yards.
So, kids, there's that point of view...or views.
We've seen the point spread anywhere between 1 and 3 points in favor of the Packers, for the home field advantage.
The Vikes are a long way from Da Bearz on both sides of the ball. A great defense and, if the Packers' defense lets QB Kirk Cousins stand in the pocket, he has plenty of weapons -- including a good young running back -- to destroy you with. With a healthy Rodgers and Adams, and if RB Aaron Jones were available instead of sitting out the second game of his two-game suspension, this could be a game in the Pack's favor. But as it is today? We think not.
The Prediction
The SportsLine score is about where we had it. We hope we're wrong, but it seems as if the factors fall in favor of Minnesota today.
We're calling it Vikings 27 - Packers 20.
Go Pack Go!!!
Our Belated Season Prediction
Before the start of every regular season, we have always given our season wins-losses prediction. We didn't get that together prior to the Chicago game, so let's do it now. Even with that one already in the bag as a known. But guess what? We had that one in the win column anyway.
We don't do a game by game prediction, but rather we break the 16-game season down into quarters (except for that five-game stretch at the end of the season) and predict the quarters. With that said, here we go. Oh, and this assumes a healthy Aaron Rodgers for the entire season, as well. That's a biggie. If he's out for any extended length of time...well, not good.
Weeks 1-4: Bears, Vikings, at Redskins, Bills. Record: 3-1
Weeks 5-8: at Lions, Niners, BYE, at Rams. Record: 3-0
Weeks 9-12: at Patriots, Dolphins, at Seahawks, at Vikings. Record: 2-2
Weeks 13-17: Cardinals, Falcons, at Bears, at Jets, Lions. Record: 3-2
Season Record: 11-5
Go Pack Go!!!