Packers vs. Vikings Rivalry, Part 2
Some important Green Bay Packers vs. Minnesota Vikings pre-game facts to consider for today’s game are:
- Green Bay has won five of the last six in this series.
- Minnesota has won the last game in this series, but only by a single point.
- Minnesota has only beaten Green Bay by more than the current spread once in ten meetings.
- The Packers are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 vs. NFC North.
- The Packers are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games as an underdog of 3.5-10.0.
- The Packers are 15-5-1 ATS in their last 21 road games.
- The Vikings are 4-10 ATS in their last 14 games after accumulating more than 250 yards passing in their previous game.
- The Vikings are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 vs. NFC North.
- The Vikings are 3-11 ATS in their last 14 games following a S.U. win.
- The Vikings are 0-7 ATS in their last 7 games after allowing less than 250 total yards in their previous game.
- Brett Favre is on Minnesota’s injury report for the first time this season.
After the Vikings beat San Francisco last Sunday, Favre complained of aching in his right foot, left knee, both shoulders and neck. The 39-year-old quarterback was listed Thursday as being limited in practice because of a foot injury. When the Green Bay Packers and the Minnesota Vikings faced each other a month ago at Lambeau Field, Packers left tackle Chad Clifton had his best game of the year — shutting down the Vikings’ best pass rusher, Jared Allen. However, things will be a little different in the Metrodome because Aaron Rodgers will be forced to use the silent count. Whether or not the Metrodome’s famously noisy environment impacts the Packers’ performance depends on how apathetic the Vikings’ fans are toward their team or how quickly the Packers get off to a good start to quiet the crowd. Although it is presumable that Clifton won’t be able to anticipate Rogers’ snap as easily in this environment, the “Big Cliff” will continue to push the Green Bay Packers to what is predicted to be their 4th consecutive win — the second against the rivaled Minnesota Vikings, and don’t forget Brett Favre.
Go Pack!
The Packers get the win against Philadelphia
For the first game of the season the Green Bay Packers appeared to show a little bit of hope against Philadelphia in the first three quarters of the game. Green Bay held on for a 27-20 season-opening victory at Lincoln Financial Field when the defense stopped Eagles backup quarterback Michael Vick on fourth-and-1 from the Green Bay 42-yard line with under two minutes left! The Packers not only erased 48 years of bad history – nine straight losses in Philly since 1962, including that infamous 2003 playoff game with the fourth-and-26 conversion – but proved at least for now they have what it takes to pull a game out when things start to go a little haywire.
Aaron Rogers?
But in the fourth quarter something happened when Aaron Rogers threw the fatal interception… Nevertheless, Rodgers led the Green Bay Packers to a 27-20 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles in a game that became affected by wet and unfavorable weather in the second half. After only throwing seven interceptions in 2009, Rodgers started 2010 with 2 interceptions. He finished the day 19/31 for 188 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions, averaging a QB rating of 73.1.
Ryan Grant Injured
The Green Bay Packers may have picked up a win yesterday against the Philadelphia Eagles, but running back Ryan Grant managed to pick up an injury in the process.
Coach Mike McCarthy is calling it a “pretty good” sprain, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, and that it will be “a challenge” for Ryan to play next week.
Congratulations Pack!
Brett Favre – Boos Outnumber The Cheers at Lambeau Field
Lambeau Field, November 01, 2009:
Perhaps the die-hard Brett Favre fans expected all Packers fans to share their same sentiment in cheering for their favorite quarterback as he stepped out onto Lambeau field for Sunday’s game? But that was not the case as Boos from Packers fans widely outnumbered the cheers for the former quarterback…
Wisconsinites’ bond with the Green Bay Packers is unprecedented in the world of professional football, and Favre was once beloved by practically the entire state when he sported the green and gold. After all, he earned credit for bringing the Lombardi Trophy back to Title-town after the team wallowed through two decades of mediocrity; not to mention ferociously battling many demons while simultaneously serving his team. And even though that is a part of history now, the player inside Brett Favre is no different than that when he was a dedicated Green Bay Packer player.
Other than a change in uniform and teammates, Favre’s passion for the game is still driven by that vein of sportsmanship and drive which still runs deep through his heart. This was clearly displayed, not only in his triumphant return to Lambeau Field as he took the Vikings to their 38 to 26 victory over the Packers, but in his post game statement to the press:
“I want to lead this Vikings team to a Super Bowl, believe me, I do. And I will do everything in my power.”
The rest of it was typical Brett Favre. Just like in the first game against his old team last month at the Metrodome, Favre was barely touched. When he needed time to look down-field, his protection was nearly perfect. When he took short drops, he fired the ball out quickly. The Packers failed to sack him again.
And despite all the emotions and feelings that filled the air at Lambeau Field, in the end Brett Favre offered respect for the game…
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The Packers vs. Vikings Rivalry!
When it comes to sports rivalry in Wisconsin, there is probably none greater in intensity than a football game between the Green Bay Packers and the Minnesota Vikings — especially when its at Lambeau Field! And what exacerbates this Packers vs. Viking rivalry is the fact that Brett Favre will be treading the turf of Lambeau Field as an adversary, rather than the icon that packers fans used to coo… It’s the highly hyped rematch at Lambeau Field, where betrayed fans will be waiting with what could be a cold welcome as the Packers eagerly prepare to avenge their recent defeat at the Metrodome on October 5th. This may be a unique experience for Favre, but he is likely more concerned about the NFC North race between the Vikings (6-1) and Packers (4-2).
Meanwhile, Wisconsinite’s are preparing for this weekends game in a number of ways akin to atypical former Packers seasons, and video streams such as the following are pouring into media pool.
Needless to say, the Packers’ fan base is famously dedicated; regardless of the team’s performance. And despite having by far the smallest local TV market, the Packers have developed one of the largest fan bases in the NFL. Each year the Packers consistently rank as one of the top teams in terms of popularity. The Packers have one of the longest waiting lists for season tickets, with about 74,000 people as of May 3, 2007. In 2008 the list grew by more than 4,000 names; making the waiting list number larger than there are seats at Lambeau Field. It should be no surprise that with such a dedicated fan base ESPN.com ranked the Packers as having the second-best fans in the NFL in August 2008?
GO PACKERS!