Vin+ 3,121 Posted January 1, 2016 (edited) (AP) -- Just because the Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers have clinched playoff spots and can't earn a first-round bye doesn't mean they won't be desperately trying to finish the regular season with a victory. The Vikings badly want to win the NFC North and end the four-year reign of the Packers, who may be as interested in showing everyone they can be a legitimate threat in the playoffs by putting forth a strong all-around performance. They've rarely had one in recent weeks but did put one together six weeks ago to beat Minnesota, a team which would love to make Sunday night's matchup the time to finally end its victory drought in Green Bay. "I kind of figured that the last game would always mean something with the Packers," Vikings cornerback Captain Munnerlyn said. This game closes the NFL regular season, and all the others that take place earlier don't really mean much to the Packers or Vikings. Bottom line, the winner claims the division crown and the No. 3 seed in the NFC playoffs. The loser will be the No. 5 seed unless Seattle defeats Arizona on Sunday and Minnesota loses to fall to No. 6, forcing a trip back to Lambeau next week to begin the playoffs. "We can't let the game become too big," said quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, who will make his first start at Lambeau. "We know that we're playing for a lot right now. But at the same time, we just have to go out there and be ourselves. You don't have to do anything extra, put any 'S's on our chest or capes on our back. Just have to do our job and do our job well." The Vikings have been doing a much better job than the Packers lately even though both enter with 10-5 records. Minnesota has routed Chicago and the New York Giants by a combined 53 points after nearly winning at Arizona, losing 23-20 on a late field goal to the NFC West champions. Green Bay was no match for the Cardinals last week in a 38-8 loss, committing four turnovers and getting held to 178 total yards. "We played the worst we can possibly play, and we're on to Minnesota," receiver James Jones said. The once-vaunted Packers offense continues to look a bit off. Aaron Rodgers is playing behind a battered offensive line and was sacked eight times last week, having two fumbles returned for touchdowns. He's been sacked an NFL-high 30 times since Week 8 as the Packers have gone 4-5, posting an 82.0 passer rating after having a 115.9 mark during their 6-0 start. Rodgers has topped 220 yards passing once in the past six games. "We are professionals. We have to hold ourselves to a higher standard and play better," Rodgers said. "Everybody has to play better." His season-worst completion percentage of 47.1 (16 of 34) came at Minnesota in Week 11, but he threw TD passes to Jones and Randall Cobb as the Packers rolled to a 30-13 win. Bridgewater was sacked six times and Adrian Peterson was held to 45 yards on 13 carries. "I'm going to talk to them about the things we didn't do good in the last ballgame (against Green Bay), and the things we have to improve on in order to win," coach Mike Zimmer said. The Vikings are 1-10-1 in the past 12 meetings, including a playoff loss after the 2012 season. Including that game, Minnesota is 0-5-1 at Lambeau since last winning there in 2009 - when Brett Favre quarterbacked the Vikings. That's also the last year in which Minnesota won the North. "A team we haven't beaten in the two years that I've been here, that coach Zimmer's been here," Bridgewater said. "It's a team that's capable of getting hot at this time of year." Green Bay's defense hasn't been, allowing more than 370 total yards to both Oakland and Arizona. That unit has yielded 100-plus yards rushing in five straight games and now faces Peterson, who is 64 yards ahead of Tampa Bay's Doug Martin in the race for his third rushing title. "I have faith in the football team regardless of what happened (in Arizona)," Packers coach Mike McCarthy said. Cobb has hardly been a factor in the past four weeks, totaling 165 receiving yards without a touchdown, and the run game has been inconsistent. Eddie Lacy rushed for 100 yards at Minnesota and topped that mark in two of the next three games but has only 83 over the last two. "It takes all 11 to have success. It starts from a protection unit, to a route-running detail, to catching the football. It's everyone, coaches included," offensive coordinator Edgar Bennett said. Rodgers has won 10 of 11 against the Vikings regardless of location or playoffs with a 120.1 passer rating, throwing for 28 touchdowns and three interceptions. Lacy has rushed for 534 yards and five TDs in five career meetings. The Vikings have won eight straight when Peterson rushes for 100 yards, a streak that dates back to a 26-26 tie at Lambeau on Nov. 24, 2013 - a game Rodgers missed. Edited January 4, 2016 by Vin Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BwareDWare94 723 Posted January 1, 2016 Watch out for Jerick McKinnon--not Adrian Peterson--in this game. Minnesota had their splash player all along in CP84, but they hate him. A lot. They've finally figured out how to use McKinnon, and he has become their new big-play threat. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Favre4Ever+ 4,476 Posted January 1, 2016 Packers gonna lose and get swept in Lambeau by the division for the first time in my life (not a real stat, although it may be) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Thanatos 2,847 Posted January 1, 2016 I'm sure we have someone that can look that up. Calling the walking encyclopedia! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BwareDWare94 723 Posted January 1, 2016 The Packers need MOAR CROCKETT Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vin+ 3,121 Posted January 4, 2016 Vikings NT Linval Joseph (foot) is inactive for Week 17. Joseph was listed as doubtful, but made the trip to Green Bay. The Vikings will be without their top run-stopper for the NFC North title. Also inactive are WR Charles Johnson, QB Taylor Heinicke, LB Brandon Watts, OT Jeremiah Sirles, C Nick Easton, and DE Zach Moore. Packers LT David Bakhtiari (ankle) is inactive for Week 17 against the Vikings. It's a huge pass-protection downgrade, leaving Josh Sitton to start at left tackle. The Packers could be forced to go more run-heavy to protect Aaron Rodgers. The rest of Green Bay's inactives are QB Brett Hundley, CB LaDarius Gunter, CB Sam Shields, OG Josh Walker, TE Justin Perillo, and LB Jayrone Elliott. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vin+ 3,121 Posted January 4, 2016 (edited) Packers gonna lose and get swept in Lambeau by the division for the first time in my life (not a real stat, although it may be) I'm sure we have someone that can look that up. Calling the walking encyclopedia! This may be wrong (which unless I missed something, I don't think it is), and I may have been beaten to it, but whatever. Went 0-2-1 against the division @ home in '73. Went 0-3 against the division @ home in '68 Came close a few times of only managing one home win against the division, even when there were five teams in the old NFC Central, but never a sweep since '68, Edited January 4, 2016 by Vin Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Packers Dynasty 2010 116 Posted January 4, 2016 (edited) It sucks seeing the defense finally playing so well for the first time since 2010 and the offense not being able to do anything. The o-line has been hit hard with injuries this season and has been atrocious. At the same time, why are we letting a guard play tackle and be alone when it is clearly not working?Everyone thought it was Clements' fault that the offense was inept, but even with McCarthy calling plays the offense remains horrible. It's ridiculous with no explanation really. I haven't seen any postgame press conferences but I'm sure it includes some slight jabs from Rodgers and McCarthy sounding like a dufus.Also, there is no excuse for the wasted TOs last night. This has been a problem all season and came back to bite them in the ass once again. Edited January 4, 2016 by Packers Dynasty 2010 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
