You know, just once it would be nice to not have to play the Packers after the bye week
Still, if there's a bright point to this season so far, it's that they have stunk up the joint with their season so far, and have played as bad, or worse, football as the Vikes.
It used to be that you could count on Favre to suck in a dome, but he's actually gotten a little better the last three years. Still, I think he returns to his INT throwing form in this game. The passing D for the Vikes hasn't been nearly as bad as the run D, and I look for them to step up even more this Suday... if we finish with fewer then 4 picks, I'll be disapointed.
I think the Vikes steamroll the Pack this week, and coupled with wins by Cleveland and Baltimore, we can actually move into a tie for first in the North with a 2-4 record
Final in this one, Vikes 34 - Slackers 14
To steal a line from Lovie Smith... we only need to win two games to be successful this year, both are against Green Bay..
Couldn't have imagined saying that 4 weeks ago, but now it has become the case.
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The Purple Haze Defense... coming soon to a stadium near you.
Both teams have started the season slowly, but the Packers have shown some life while Minnesota appears to be heading toward the edge of the abyss both on and off the field.
Brett Favre has thrown eight interceptions, but only one in the past two games. Running back Ahman Green and tight end Bubba Franks should return to bolster the offense, which is seeing improved play from its revamped line.
The Vikings, meanwhile, can't get out of their own way. With off-field issues and distractions swirling around them, the offense continues to struggle.
Daunte Culpepper has 12 interceptions in five games, and the ground game has not gotten on track with Mewelde Moore or Michael Bennett. They have a good receiver corps in Travis Taylor, Nate Burleson, Troy Williamson, Marcus Robinson and a productive tight end in Jermaine Wiggins, but the lack of a consistent running game allows opponents to come after Culpepper. He hasn't responded well to the pressure.
It is getting late for coach Mike Tice and the Vikings, a team in disarray. Mike Sherman might be right next to Tice on the unemployment line with a loss in Minnesota, where Favre has struggled in the past.
But here is the irony. Both teams, despite their 1-4 records, are only one game back in the dysfunctional NFC North. Not exactly the type of parity Pete Rozelle had in mind, but it will keep things interesting in the old Black and Blue Division.
Packers Keys For Success
1. Protect Favre. Favre still is the Packers' driving force. He scrambles well to avoid tackles and direct hits, but he tends to throw the ball into traffic, creating interception opportunities. If given time in the pocket, Favre remains extremely effective.
2. Establish the run. If the Packers can run the ball, Favre can be much more explosive with a game plan that features play-action passes. With Najeh Davenport out for the season with a broken ankle, a key component to this game will be the return of Green (knee, quadriceps). Green might have benefited from the bye week as much as anyone.
3. Use inside pressure to get to Culpepper. Perhaps the biggest loss on the Vikings' offense -- outside of the Randy Moss addition-by-subtraction disaster -- is the season-ending injury to center Matt Birk. In five games, Culpepper has been sacked 23 times. Last week at Chicago, all three sacks came up the middle with tackle Tommie Harris and linebacker Brian Urlacher exploiting new center Melvin Fowler, who did not fare any better than Cory Withrow, whom he replaced. Culpepper is big and athletic and can run, but he likes to step up in the pocket. Unfortunately, he has been stepping into a collapsing pocket, leading to his high sack and turnover numbers.
Vikings Keys For Success
1. Avoid turnovers. Culpepper must protect the ball better and not force passes into coverage. He has great arm strength, but poor decisions under pressure have led Culpepper to throw 12 interceptions this season. He has tried to put the Vikings on his back, but in the process has hurt the team. He must play within the game plan, lead a balanced attack and take care of the ball.
2. Spread the field. Green Bay struggles against the run. By spreading the ball around to Taylor, Burleson, Williamson, Robinson and Wiggins, Culpepper will make the Packers respect the pass. If the Vikings can operate out of spread formations, they will force Green Bay to use nickel and dime personnel and thus create more room for Moore to run and be used on screen passes.
3. Control the point of attack. Defensively, the Vikings must get penetration, especially from the interior, and control the line of scrimmage. Tackles Pat Williams and Kevin Williams will be instrumental in stopping the run, forcing the ball into Favre's hands often. When the Packers become one-dimensional, opponents have limited Favre's effectiveness.
Injuries at a glance
Packers injuries
10/18/05 Ahman Green RB Knee Probable for Week 7
10/6/05 Mike Flanagan C Abdomen Out at least through Oct. 23
9/21/05 Javon Walker WR ACL tear Out for 2005 season
Vikings injuries
10/17/05 Nate Burleson WR Knee/shoulder Week 7 status unclear
10/6/05 Kenechi Udeze DE Knee Out for the season
9/27/05 Willie Offord S Knee - Torn ACL Out for the season
The Bottom Line
Green Bay is coming in fresh off a bye and should have its first-string offense healthy again. With that unit back on track and Minnesota's inability to run the ball, the Packers' defense might not get exposed. Although Favre historically doesn't fare well in domed stadiums, this week he will play like he is under a blue sky and lead his Pack to a win.
Packers @ Vikings
it probably doesn't mean anything but it is interesting to look at....
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