A general view of the Metrodome prior to the game between the Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers. Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports photograph

The Vikings announced recently that the 2013 season will be the team’s last in the noisy indoor Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome (aka the Mall of America Stadium along with a number of pseudonyms not printable here). The purple and gold will play their home games during the 2014 and 2015 seasons at outdoor TCF Bank Stadium, the home of the Minnesota Gophers, while a new indoor stadium is built.

Will the Green Bay Packers take it to the bank at TCF Bank Stadium or fall into a Gopher Hole?

Evidence suggests the Packers will gain an extra edge against the Vikings as a result of the Vikings’ temporary relocation.

Minnesota Vikings fan Syd Davy contributes to the noise pollution in the Metrodome when the Vikings played the Packers in Minneapolis. Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports photograph

Noise Pollution
Noise levels at the Metrodome have measured as high as 125 decibels. According to American Hearing Research Foundation, exposure to noise above 85 decibels will cause a gradual hearing loss. The Metrodome holds slightly more than 64,000 fans, while the open-air seating capacity of TCF Bank Stadium is approximately 50,800.

You think 125-decible noise levels impacted Mason Crosby on Nov. 9, 2008, when he missed a 52-yard field goal with 26 seconds remaining that would have given the Packers a 30-28 lead?

Did the noise have anything to do with the momentum changing in the Metrodome on Oct. 5, 2009, when Aaron Rodgers was sacked and fumbled the ball at the Viking 33? The Favre-led Vikings went on to score on their next drive in a game Minnesota eventually won 30-23.

“The toughest thing for me is losing my voice, screaming from the first quarter on,” Aaron Rodgers told the Journal Sentinel in 2010. “The toughest stretches are first quarter and drives after a (Vikings) score because the crowd is obviously into it.”

An equally important question is, does the noise matter to the Vikings? Minnesota was 10-2 in domes in 2012-13. However, they were 0-5 in outdoor stadiums.

Less noise at TCF Bank Stadium = Advantage Packers.

Weathering a Storm

Nebraska Cornhuskers fans cheer during the first quarter against the Minnesota Gophers at TCF Bank Stadium, the home venue for the Vikings in 2014 and 2015. Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports photograph

When the Vikings move to the Gophers’ outdoor stadium in 2014 and 2015, Minnesota will become the second worst weather city in the NFL, according to the Weather Channel. Green Bay is the fifth worst. Minnesota is not currently on the list because it plays indoors.

So one could reasonably make the case the Packers are more pre-conditioned to play in bad weather, especially in December. You can’t say that about Christian Ponder and the Minnesota Vikings (if he lasts that long).

In December 2012, the Vikings’ only loss was outdoors at Lambeau Field on Dec. 2, when the temperature was a still-cozy 45 degrees. The four Viking December victories occurred inside weather-controlled domes against Chicago in the Metrodome, St. Louis at the Edward Jones Dome, Houston at Reliant Stadium (retractable roof closed), and the Packers at the Metrodome.

The Packers, meanwhile, did not lose an outdoor game in December 2012. As previously mentioned, they beat Minnesota in 45 degree weather at Lambeau; beat the Lions in 33 degree weather at Lambeau; beat the Bears in 45 degree weather at Soldier Field; and beat the Titans in 24 degree weather at Lambeau. As for the playoffs, the Packers beat the Vikings in 24 degree weather at Lambeau.

Worse weather at TCF Bank Stadium in December = Advantage Packers.

Key Player Performances Outdoors
The Vikings and Christian Ponder last year could not figure out how to win a game in an outdoor stadium. As Zach Kruse of Cheeseheadtv.com pointed out in an article in January 2013, Ponder’s QB rating in outdoor stadiums last season was poor, compared to a respectable rating indoors.

Aaron Rodgers’ QB rating is among the best in the league indoors and outdoors, year-in and year-out.

How well does Adrian Peterson do in the elements? There was no drop-off in his performance in outdoor games in 2012 (he rushed for 210 yards at Green Bay in December). But Peterson was not a major factor in outdoor games in 2011 (51 yards and one touchdown at Lambeau; 39 yards rushing, one touchdown at Soldier Field).

Adrian Peterson ran all over the Packers at the Metrodome in 2012. The Vikings defeated the Packers 37-34. Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports photograph

Adrian himself has this to say about his preference in a recent chat session on ESPN.com.

Fan:
Would you rather have a roof in the new stadium or battle the elements during the winter months?

Adrian Peterson:
Yes, I want a roof. A retractable roof would be great. Yes.

Adrian Peterson not a big fan of playing outdoors and Ponder’s poor record playing outdoors = Advantage Packers.

Stadium Reputation
The Gopher Hole has not provided a great home field advantage in the pros or the college ranks. The Wisconsin Badgers beat the Minnesota Gophers for the Paul Bunyan’s Axe in 2009 and 2011 at TCF Bank Stadium, the only two times the teams played each other at the venue.

The Vikings hosted the Bears at TCF Bank Stadium on Dec. 20, 2010, due to a heavy snow that collapsed the Metrodome roof. It was the Vikings’ first outdoor home game in 29 years. The temperature was 24 degrees, the wind chill 10. Vikings’ Punter Chris Kluwe commented that the field was hard as concrete and players who hit the ground could get concussions.  In fact, ironman Brett Favre, the Vikings’ quarterback that season, was knocked out of the game after his head hit the ground.

The final score:  Bears 40, Vikings 14. OK, it’s only one game, but what a humiliation.

Zero stadium mystique and Vikings .000 winning percentage at TCF Bank Stadium = Advantage Packers.

The History of Temporary Relocations
Remember when the Chicago Bears relocated to the University of Illinois’ Memorial Stadium in 2002 while Soldier Field was renovated? The Bears went from a 13-3 team in 2001 to a 4-12 team in 2002.

The Vikings have more of an adjustment to make than the Packers when the Vikings move to TCF Bank Stadium for 2014 and 2015. This also means it may be noisier in the Metrodome for the Packers in 2013 as Viking fans say goodbye to the stadium in its final hurrah. Expect more hostility than usual at the Metrodome in 2013, then a noticeable drop-off in the home field advantage for the Vikes in 2014 and 2015.

Within the past handful of years, it seems as if the NFL Draft has gained more and more publicity. I think it’s safe enough to say the draft is a bigger deal nowadays than it was just a mere five years ago.

The suspense seems to build with every passing day as fans grow more and more anxious as to who their team will take. For me, this has really begged the question, who REALLY decides who gets drafted and where.

Mock drafts nowadays are easier to find than cheese in Green Bay. It seems as if everyone has their professional opinion as to where prospects will be drafted and why. This is all fine and dandy but to a certain extent I believe we, the media, truly dictate where a fair number of these prospects go.

People like Todd McShay, Mike Mayock, and Mel Kiper Jr. are more popular this time of the year than at any point after the draft is over. I have to say, however, that some of the positions players have been drafted at in the recent past have been because the media has dictated it.

Last year, the buzz was whether or not the Indianapolis Colts would draft Andrew Luck first overall or not? Thinking back on it, did the majority of mocks and media not have the Colts drafting him? There was probably a solid week of indecision from all the experts as to who the Colts would select. In the end, it seemed as if the experts almost had the final say as to Luck was better or more deserving to be first overall than Robert Griffin III.

Does the media dictate where players get drafted?

Some teams and general managers I believe are more prone to what the outside mocksters and experts say than others.

I would even go as far as to say some markets may influence draft strategies as well. One might go as far as to say the New York Jets were pressuerd into drafting Mark Sanchez.

If I remember correctly, Sanchez was not projected to be drafted quite that high, but the New York media seemed to have the Jets conditioned to draft a quarterback regardless of the overall position of their pick.

As much as I don’t want to bring his name up yet again, to say that the Denver Broncos reached when they drafted Tim Tebow where they did is a complete understatement.

And just what really drove the Minnesota Vikings to draft Christian Ponder where they did? Talk about a pick that came completely out of left field and even caught the experts off guard.

“Draft and Develop” has certainly proven successful in Titletown.

While it seems some teams give in to expert opinions of who they should take and where, we should give Ted Thompson credit for his philosophy.

It has been proven to work and in the long run can only benefit the team itself. We should also credit him for being oblivious to what the outsiders say.

He has stuck to his guns with his “best player available” way of thinking and to-date really only has one major flaw in Justin Harrell.

So weigh in Packer Nation. Just how much influence does the media have on teams and who they draft?

Dec. 16, 2012; Glendale, AZ, USA: Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Lions 38-10. Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

When it comes to quarterback play, the Green Bay Packers are fortunate. Not only have the Packers transitioned from one Hall of Fame quarterback to another, but they also possess the top passer in a division stocked with talented arms. The NFC North is one of only two divisions where every starting quarterback has led their team to the playoffs. In the modern NFL where passing and the ability to defend the pass are the strongest indicators of wins and losses, it’s important for Green Bay to keep tabs on the quarterbacks it sees most often.

With that in mind, let’s profile the resume and project the future for one of the NFC North’s other quarterbacks.

So without further adieu, the final NFC North quarterback under the microscope is…

Dec 30, 2012; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) drops back to pass against the Chicago Bears during the second quarter at Ford Field. Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

Name: Matthew Stafford

Team: Detroit Lions

Age: 25

Experience: 45 games, 44 starts

Resume: Matthew Stafford is the NFC North’s most intriguing case study. Stafford’s first two seasons were defined by injury, but both included extremely promising moments.

In his first complete season as a starter, Stafford exploded for a jawdropping 5,038 yards and 41 touchdowns. Yet Stafford’s more impressive statistic was 6.2 – the percentage of his passes that went for touchdowns. For context, the only passers that year who exceeded that figure were Tom Brady (6.4 percent), Drew Brees (7 percent), and Aaron Rodgers (9 percent).

Stafford’s touchdown percentage would have been top five in any of his four seasons in the NFL. Helping matters further, Stafford threw 2.56 touchdowns for every interception that year. It seemed as though his incredible physical gifts were finally coalescing with his mental preparation and that Stafford would soon be entering the pantheon of the NFL’s top quarterbacks.

And then came the 2012 season.

While Stafford narrowly missed another 5,000-yard season, virtually all of his other metrics regressed considerably. Stafford’s touchdown total was more than halved while his interceptions went up. He passed for his worst completion percentage since his rookie year, and averaged a Christian Ponder-like 6.8 yards per attempt.

Yet the most damning metric was Stafford’s touchdown percentage. It dropped from 2011’s impressive 6.2 percent to a paltry 2.8 percent, bad enough to finish bottom five in the league. The only players with worse figures were rookies and Matt Cassel. This comes at a time when the Detroit Lions are looking to extend Stafford’s rookie deal. How the Lions grade Stafford at this point in his career is anyone’s guess.

Dec 22, 2012; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) congratulates wide receiver Calvin Johnson (81) during the fourth quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at Ford Field. Falcons won 31-18. Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

Projections: Despite his 2012 woes, Matthew Stafford projects very well. If there is one quarterback who can take Rodgers’ title as the best quarterback in the NFC North, unlikely as that may be, it’s Stafford.

He possesses the strongest arm in the division, and with Calvin Johnson just entering his prime, there is no reason to expect Stafford won’t be able to return to his high volume, high efficiency form. Detroit has no plans to bring in any competition, and probably couldn’t do so if they wanted to with their cap situation.

With the Minnesota Vikings in a war of words with Percy Harvin and the Chicago Bears entering the first year with a new head coach, there are games up for grabs. Frankly, even the Packers could take a step back this season with their losses on offense.

Stafford should perform much closer to his 2011 form, and if he does so the Lions are a real threat to challenge for a playoff spot and perhaps the division.

Jason Hirschhorn covers the Green Bay Packers for Lombardi Ave. He has previously written for Hail to the Orange, College Hoops Net, Mocking the Draft, LiveBall Sports, and the List Universe. He is currently a senior writer for Beats Per Minute, an indie-music webzine. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/JBHirschhorn.

Dec 2, 2012; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6) during the first quarter against the Seattle Seahawks at Soldier Field. The Seahawks won 23-17 in OT. Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

When it comes to quarterback play, the Green Bay Packers are fortunate. Not only have the Packers transitioned from one Hall of Fame quarterback to another, but they also possess the top passer in a division stocked with talented arms. The NFC North is one of only two divisions where every starting quarterback has led their team to the playoffs. In the modern NFL where passing and the ability to defend the pass are the strongest indicators of wins and losses, it’s important for Green Bay to keep tabs on the quarterbacks it sees most often.

With that in mind, let’s profile the resume and project the future for one of the NFC North’s other quarterbacks.

So without further adieu, the next NFC North quarterback under the microscope is …

Dec. 23, 2012; Glendale, AZ, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6) throws during the first half against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

Name: Jay Cutler

Team: Chicago Bears

Age: 29 (30 by week 1)

Experience: 93 games, all starts

Resume: In terms of regular reason starts, Jay Cutler is the most experienced quarterback in the NFC North. Cutler’s career is best viewed as the tale of two quarterbacks. In Denver, Cutler threw for more yards and touchdowns with each passing season, culminating in his 4,526 yards 25 touchdown year in 2008.

In Chicago, the reverse occurred, with Cutler sliding in each of those categories until last season.

Those numbers don’t tell the complete story, however.

Cutler’s improved throwing interceptions 4.3 percent of the time his first two seasons with the Bears to a more reasonable 2.8 percent. Unfortunately for Chicago, his touchdown percentage dropped from 5.1 percent to 4.3 percent over the same period. The latter figure is only marginally superior to Ponder’s 4 percent over the same period. Worse still, Cutler is the division’s least accurate passer the last two years, completing only 58.4 percent of his pass attempts during that time.

Jay Cutler will have to learn how to beat the Green Bay Packers to continue his career in Chicago.
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

However, it’s only fair to point out that Cutler has been saddled with easily the worst offensive coaching in the division. It’s for that very reason that Lovie Smith’s staff was sent packing after 2012 with noted offensive guru Marc Trestman taking the reins. Cutler is more talented than his aggregated Chicago statistics suggest. It’s easy to forget that in 2010, Cutler threw for a career high 5.3 touchdown percentage and his best touchdown-to-interception ratio (counting only seasons with 12 or more starts). When the conditions are favorable, that’s closer to the quarterback he really is.

Projection: Like Minnesota’s Christian Ponder, 2013 will be crucial for identifying Cutler’s future. When Cutler had quality offensive coaches, he was a 4,500-yard-plus passer with reasonable accuracy.

That hasn’t been the case in Chicago, but with Trestman now in charge that figures to change. With Brandon Marshall and a now healthy Alshon Jeffery manning the starting receiver spots, Matt Forte still possessing great hands out of the backfield, and an offensive line that can only improve, Cutler should have the tools necessary to resurrect his career.

Dec 16, 2012; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6) makes a pass against the Green Bay Packers during the second quarter at Soldier Field. Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports

The only thing standing in Cutler’s way is Bears GM Phil Emery. Emery was not part of the regime that traded for Cutler. With only one year left on Cutler’s contract and a new head coach in town, Emery may use this offseason to find his quarterback. If this happens, Cutler’s 2013 season will become an open audition.

That doesn’t mean Cutler can’t succeed. In 2004, second year Chargers GM A.J. Smith drafted Philip Rivers to be the long-term replacement for Drew Brees, the inconsistent incumbent drafted by the previous administration. The added pressure pushed Brees to produce the best season he’d ever have as a Charger. While Cutler is older than Brees was then, it’s reasonable to expect Cutler to perform well even in this scenario.

Jason Hirschhorn covers the Green Bay Packers for Lombardi Ave. He has previously written for Hail to the Orange, College Hoops Net, Mocking the Draft, LiveBall Sports, and the List Universe. He is currently a senior writer for Beats Per Minute, an indie-music webzine. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/JBHirschhorn.

Dec 30, 2012; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder (7) against the Green Bay Packers at the Metrodome. The Vikings defeated the Packers 37-34. Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

When it comes to quarterback play, especially in the NFC North, the Green Bay Packers are fortunate. Not only have the Packers transitioned from one Hall of Fame quarterback to another, but they also possess the top passer in a division stocked with talented arms. The NFC North is one of only two divisions where every starting quarterback has led their team to the playoffs.

In the modern NFL where passing and the ability to defend the pass are the strongest indicators of wins and losses, it’s important for Green Bay to keep tabs on the quarterbacks it sees most often.

With that in mind, we here at lombardiave.com kick off this three-part series by profiling the resume and projecting the future for one of the NFC North’s other quarterbacks.

So without further adieu, the first NFC North quarterback under the microscope is…

Dec 30, 2012; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder (7) throws a pass during the first quarter against the Green Bay Packers at the Metrodome. Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

Name: Christian Ponder

Team: Minnesota Vikings

Age: 25

Experience: 27 games, 26 starts

Resume: Having just turned 25, Christian Ponder is the youngest and least experienced starting quarterback in the NFC North. However, Ponder started at Florida State University for three seasons, which may give us a clearer idea of the type of player he is. What’s immediately apparent when examining Ponder’s college career is just how conservative he plays. Not once in his three years starting at Florida State did Ponder throw more interceptions than touchdowns. Also, with 2009 being the lone exception, Ponder never averaged more than 6.8 yards per attempt.

Ponder’s professional career has largely reflected this. In two years in Minnesota, Ponder has averaged 6.2 yards per pass attempt. That figure falls about one yard per pass behind Matthew Stafford and Jay Cutler, and nearly two yards behind division leader Aaron Rodgers. More troubling for Ponder is the scarcity of scoring. Ponder’s throws only end in a touchdown 4 percent of the time, a division worst. Over that same period, Rodgers’ passes produced touchdowns at an 8 percent clip. While each quarterback is at wildly different stages of the development process, they’re competing for the same goals in the same division at the same time, thus necessitating the comparison. Needless to say, Ponder has a lot of ground to cover.

Projection: After analyzing Ponder’s conservative Florida State career as well as his first two campaigns in Minnesota, one has to wonder: Will Ponder ever become more of a risk taker, and does he need to for the Vikings to contend for a championship? It seems pretty safe to say that the answer to the first question is doubtful. While he will surely cut down on mistakes and take advantage of defensive errors more often as he matures, Ponder has never at any point displayed the temperament necessary to become a truly elite passer. Even if the Vikings improve at the wide receiver position, Ponder will still default to the short game more often than not. Big passing plays will have to come after the catch, which means the Vikings would be well advised to meet Percy Harvin’s contract demands.

Dec 2, 2012; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers defensive tackle Ryan Pickett (79) tackles Minnesota Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder (7) during the game at Lambeau Field. The Packers defeated the Vikings 23-14. Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

The answer to the second part of the question is more difficult. Minnesota has constructed its offense around Adrian Peterson and the running game. While Peterson performs at his current historic levels, it’s not necessary for Ponder to become an air raid quarterback. He does need to increase his touchdown efficiency, but probably not by all that much.

Where the Vikings will run into trouble is when Peterson’s production falls off. Only two years away from 30, and with 1,754 carries and a torn ACL already endured, Peterson won’t be the NFL’s pre-eminent running back for that much longer.

When the time comes, Ponder doesn’t project to cover enough of the difference to keep Minnesota’s offense at a Super Bowl contending level. For that forecast to change, Ponder has to make vast improvements this season. Few quarterbacks dramatically change their production after their third year starting.

If it doesn’t happen this year for Ponder, it’s pretty safe to write him off as anything more than a caretaker.

Jason Hirschhorn covers the Green Bay Packers for Lombardi Ave. He has previously written for Hail to the Orange, College Hoops Net, Mocking the Draft, LiveBall Sports, and the List Universe. He is currently a senior writer for Beats Per Minute, an indie-music webzine. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/JBHirschhorn.

Dec 30, 2012; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder (7) throws during the first quarter against the Green Bay Packers at the Metrodome. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

I couldn’t have been more wrong about last week’s game at the MallofAmerica/HubertHHumphrey Metrodome.

I underestimated the motivations that the Vikings had in their favor and, quite frankly, underestimated the Vikings. I also underestimated the Vikings fans, as I thought they might have sold their tickets for the Packers game before it became a meaningful game.

I was wrong.

It’s not the first time and I’m sure it won’t be the last, but while I counted on AP to be great, I didn’t count on Christian Ponder to beat the Packers. It isn’t necessarily reflected in the stat line, but Ponder beat the Packers, not Peterson.

Adrian Peterson
Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

The Vikings played the possession game and did it very effectively using AP. Keeping Rodgers and the offense off the field is part of any effective game plan against the Packers, but as dominant as AP was, it took Ponder to extend drives on third down. The Vikings converted 50 percent of their third downs and ALL of those were either completions or scrambles by Ponder (he also scrambled for nine yards on third and 10 and AP did the rest on fourth).

My point is, Peterson played like himself, but Ponder moved the chains. I did notice lapses in coverage, which may or may not have been a result of attempting to shut down Peterson, but the fact is that Ponder completed throws he usually wouldn’t be able to make.

AP averaged 4.7 yds on first down, but while he made a first down in four of those carries (four carries for 62 yards). He gained only 2.7 YPC on first down otherwise. Christian Ponder had to make plays to rectify that and he did. While AP’s numbers were nearly identical to the game at Lambeau, Ponder was better at the Metrodome.

Essentially what it comes down to is this: In order to win the game, we need to stop Ponder, not Peterson, though stopping Peterson would help. There is a reason the Packers won by 11 at Lambeau and lost by 3 in Minnesota. At Lambeau they played to win and let AP be great. In Minny they played to stop AP, as great as he is, and they allowed Ponder to beat them.

If the Packers focus on stopping AP instead of playing solid defense, the result will be similar to last week. If they want to play in San Francisco they need to stifle the rest of the Vikings offense.

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder found success off the field Monday when he and ESPN sideline reporter Samantha Steele were married at the St. Croix County Courthouse in Hudson, Wisconsin.
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

Well, the headline may be a bit misleading – Minnesota Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder wasn’t literally married in my backyard, but having grown up just a hop, skip and a poorly thrown Ponder pass from Hudson, Wisconsin, Ponder did indeed figuratively get married in my backyard.

According to the Eau Claire Leader-Telegram, Ponder and his bride-to-be, ESPN sideline reporter Samantha Steele, stole across the border Monday to Hudson and were married surreptitiously in the St. Croix County Courthouse by Court Commissioner Stephen Dunlap. Coincidentally, my Dad was the St. Croix County Court Commissioner many, many years ago – and he was a huge Vikings fan, too. Unfortunately, he didn’t have the opportunity to marry any Vikings players.

But I digress.

We all know that Ponder is the worst quarterback in the league – at least Jimmy Johnson thinks so and so do thousands of Minnesota Vikings fans. The question is this: Will being married make him any better under center? Only time will tell as the Vikings only have two games left – the final one being against the NFC North Division Champion Green Bay Packers.

No doubt, he will continue to be very good at handing off to Adrian Peterson, but we are uncertain if his passing completion percentages will go up. At least his pass to Steele hit home.

We wish him the best of luck off the field and, of course, the worst of luck on it.

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Will Charles Woodson and the Green Bay Packers defense show up Sunday? Raymond T. Rivard photograph

What’s been talked about most this week and will be discussed right up until game time of the Packers and Giants showdown this weekend will be just how the Packers are going to deal with that vaunted defense blowing into Lambeau Field.

Well, we know it’s not the Packers’ defense everyone is talking about, don’t we? No, we’re talking about the Giants defense – that same outfit that held the Atlanta Falcons scoreless in the first round of the playoffs.

The Packers defense, on the other hand, has been an enigma, a unit that fills its roster with All-Pros, but throughout the season looked like … well frankly, I’m not sure how to describe them.

They’ve been gashed week -in and week-out on big play after big play as even marginal quarterbacks such as Kyle Orton (twice), Christian Ponder, Josh Freeman, and Josh McCown moved their teams up and down the field, throwing pretty much at will.

More after the jump and don’t forget to Like Lombardiave.com on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

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Jared Allen and the Minnesota Vikings have sunk to levels not seen from the franchise in some time.

The last time the Green Bay Packers played the Minnesota Vikings I found myself feeling a little sorry for the Vikings players and fans. While watching the game I came to the realization that the Vikings are made up of Jared Allen and 21 other players who would struggle to be back-ups on the Packers.

Okay, maybe Adrian Peterson could start for the Packers, too.

A couple of days later I ran into a fellow parent at elementary school parent-teacher night. He was wearing a Vikings jacket and I was wearing a Packers coat. I called out in a friendly fashion, “Hey, Vikings fan!” expecting that when he turned around we could engage in typical your-team-sucks banter.

Instead he turned, saw the green and gold, and hung his head.

I felt bad.

I walked up to the Vikings fan, put my hand on his shoulder and said, “Maybe Christian Ponder will turn into a great quarterback.” He seemed a little encouraged, but it left me wondering what has happened to the once proud Vikings? Are the years of mediocrity and near misses finally starting to take their toll? Are the Vikings really going to move to a new city because of stadium issues?

I, for one, hope not. I love the Packers-Vikings rivalry almost as much as the Packers-Bears rivalry.

Oddly, during last Sunday’s blowout win against the Raiders I had no feelings of sadness for the Raiders players or fans. I gleefully cheered when the Packers went ahead 31 to nothing before the half. 31-0!

Bahhahaha!

Carson Palmer?

Hahaha.

Another Raiders penalty?

Ha! Go Pack Go!

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There are those who are brutally honest about the happenings in the game. Some are witty and some just plain deadpan.

I thought it might be fun to give just a taste of what was posted last night during the Vikings vs. Packers game.

Enjoy.

Rob Demovsky (@RobDemovsky)
11/14/11 6:00 PM
The scene from Lambeau Field before tonight’s #Packers-#Vikings game. pic.twitter.com/LIcqUYmA
Green Bay Packers (@packers)
11/14/11 7:46 PM
Cobb first rookie in GB history to have a 100-yard KR, 80-yard PR in same season.

Green Bay Packers (@packers)
11/14/11 8:01 PM
Packers up 14-0, 5:02 remain in 1Q. Drive: 11 plays, 70 yards, 4:53 time of possession. 24-yard TD pass to Jennings

See more after the jump …

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The Viking Age's Dan Zinski (no, that's not him in the photo) answered some questions posed by Lombardiave.com. In return, we answered some of his questions. We will post those answers here soon.

We here at Lombardiave.com caught up with Dan Zinski of The Viking Age for a Vikings vs. Packers Q&A focusing on Monday night’s showdown between the unbeaten Green Bay Packers and 2-6 Minnesota Vikings.

As always, Dan’s deep insight into the Vikings provides for an interesting perspective.

Here’s how Dan sees things:

Q. The Vikings are coming off their two best games of the season against the Packers and Panthers, as well as the bye … Do you feel the team will continue to show improvement or will they go back to their old ways?

A. Hard to say. With Christian Ponder now at QB instead of McNabb you sort of feel like there should be a steady upward progression – as he improves the team should improve – but at the same time, they’ve been so inconsistent, plus they still have terrible problems in the offensive line and secondary.

Given their personnel issues I still think it’s going to be a struggle for them more often than not. Right now a 5-11 finish seems realistic. That’s only 3 more wins the rest of the way. Then again, there’s the feeling that had they started Ponder sooner, they might’ve pulled out a couple of those games they blew in the second half. I don’t know if that’s valid or not but you can’t help thinking of what might have been.

Maybe with Ponder in there they can overcome some of their other shortcomings, upset a couple teams and finish closer to .500.

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Aaron Rodgers is the leader of the Pack and the league. Raymond T. Rivard photograph

This is getting to be a habit … Wait! I think that’s what I said last week when Aaron Rodgers was named the FedEx Air NFL Player of the week.

But it’s true. For the fourth consecutive week, Rodgers has won the award. His performance last Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings earned him the honor once again as he helped propel the Packers to a 7-0 record and a two-game lead over the Detroit Lions in the NFC North Division.

Can he do it again this week? Wait! He can’t do it this week … It’s the Packers bye week, but what the heck, I think FedEx should just give it to him anyway. He’s playing heads and shoulders above the rest of the QBs in the league, so they might as well.

Just kidding.

But with that in mind, who do you think will win the battle of the rookies this week? Minnesota vs. Carolina?

I’m sticking my neck out on this one … I’m going with Cam Newton. I think he’s going to have a huge week against Christian Ponder and the Minnesota Vikings … He will outplay the other rookie and continue to show us why he was the number one overall pick.

So, here’s to Aaron Rodgers and may he come back next week after the bye playing even hotter than he was before the bye.

There are more honors awaiting him.

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Charles Woodson picked off Christian Ponder twice today and could have had a couple of others. Raymond T. Rivard photograph

The Packers, behind the nearly flawless performance of Aaron Rodgers, some timely running at the end of the game, and a defense that again bent, but didn’t break, did enough to hold off the Minnesota Vikings and their energetic rookie quarterback, Christian Ponder, 33-27.

Ponder, making his first start with the Vikings (now 1-6 on the season), kicked off the game with a bang by hitting Michael Jenkins for 73 yards and a near touchdown on the first play of the game. However, the Packers defense again came up with some huge defensive efforts when needed and James Starks ended the game with six consecutive runs and a first down to put the dagger into the Vikes’ hearts.

Ponder’s first play heave didn’t account for the Vikings’ first score, but Adrian Peterson banged it in a couple of plays later to give the Vikings a 7-0 lead.

However, Aaron Rodgers and the Packers came right back on their first possession to go 91 yards for a touchdown to tie it at 7-7.

The Vikings defense, behind two sacks by league-leader Jared Allen, held the vaunted Packers offense in check for most of the first half, though Rodgers was dead-on in his passing. He completed his first 13 passes and would have had 14 had rookie Randall Cobb hung onto a pass on a crossing route. His drop came on a third and 16 and it appeared he would have certainly had the first down – maybe even a score.

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Jarrett Bush said it best when describing the Vikings as "hungry." Raymond T. Rivard photograph

Can we draw comparisons between the winless Tampa Bay Buccaneers team of two years ago that was led by a then-rookie making his first start (Josh Freeman) with the 1-5 Vikings being led by another rookie making his first start this coming Sunday (Christian Ponder)?

We all know what happened in that Tampa Bay game … They upset the Packers and upset Packers nation so badly that there were calls for Mike McCarthy and Ted Thompson’s heads.

Well, we can make the leap an compare the two situations or we can listen to a veteran tell us about it … according to Ryan Pickett, who was interviewed this week about that scenario by JSonline, it’s a different time and a different place.

“Mentally, we’ve grown. We’ve been playing defense a lot differently around here since that game two years ago. So we take no one lightly — rookie, 15 years in the league, it doesn’t matter. It’s about how we prepare and how we get ready ourselves. That’s how we look at it.”
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Take, for instance, this morning’s column by Tom Powers of the Pioneer Press (see below). It pretty much says it all about his feelings toward the team, its coaching staff and the team’s upper management for which he has much disdain.

He talks about the team’s decision to start rookie Christian Ponder against the world champions and its possible long-term ramifications.

Below is a quote about what he thinks about the rookie’s talents.

One thing we can be absolutely certain of is that we will see a frenetic, helter-skelter game when Ponder is on the field. He is all over the place running, jumping, ducking, throwing and tumbling. The few times we’ve been able to watch him to date, including exhibition games, Ponder has displayed a frantic, almost playground style.

To get the full feeling of Powers’ message, see the link below.

But before you do that, be sure to Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

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Will Vikings coach Leslie Frasier go with Donovan McNabb as his starting quarterback or make the move to rookie Christian Ponder for Sunday's game against the Packers?

Vikings vs. Packers – The Minnesota Vikings want to beat the Green Bay Packers. It’s a division game, it’s the hated rival from the east, it’s the unbeaten Super Bowl champions coming to town.

But head coach Leslie Frasier has a conundrum. Does he go with the veteran McNabb who has brought the team one win to date or does he do the inevitable and start first round draft pick Christian Ponder?

According to Pro Football Weekly, the Vikings will make a decision Wednesday, which will be good on two fronts: It will give the Vikings plenty of time to give whomever is going to start the vote of confidence and enough snaps to prepare for the Packers; but on the other front, it also gives the Packers a clear view on who to expect to start and for whom to prepare.

“We are going to talk about a lot of things,” Frasier was quoted as saying yesterday. “But the primary point will be what’s best for our team going forward as we prepare for our next opponent.  That will be the determining factor.”

When asked about the possibility that the Vikings may play rookie Christian Ponder, McCarthy said that the team will prepare for both quarterbacks … they may have to go back to preseason tape to watch Ponder, but that didn’t seem to bother the head coach. “That’s all part of the preparation. We’ll be prepared either way.”
McNabb and Ponder both played in last Sunday’s shellacking in Chicago and neither did much to give the Vikings faithful much hope at this point. While McNabb was pretty accurate (19-24) and connected for decent yardage (177), Ponder wasn’t so accurate (9-17) and couldn’t quite crack the century mark in about one quarter of play (99).

The Vikings (1-5) reached the end zone just once in the 39-10 loss to the Bears (3-3).

Of course, with Adrian Peterson touching the ball just 12 times for 39 yards didn’t help the passing game either.

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Mike McCarthy likes the way his team is playing, but admits there's much more work to do. Raymond T. Rivard photograph

Mike McCarthy just finished his Monday afternoon presser.

Here are some of the highlights from the session with the press:

On the injury front, Sam Shields suffered a concussion when he took a hit while trying to run an interception out of the end zone; outside linebacker Frank Zombo, who played in his first game back after a broken scapula, hyper-extended his knee … McCarthy didn’t know the severity of his injury. He did say that Shields will go through the series of tests that go along with concussion recovery. It is unclear whether Shields will play this week vs. the Vikings.

When asked about the wind and the role it played in Sunday’s game, McCarthy said, “the wind factored in the game … you could see ball moving … It’s something talk about in the pre-game … you have to focus on ball … it was a challenge.”

When asked about the possibility that the Vikings may play rookie Christian Ponder, McCarthy said that the team will prepare for both quarterbacks … they may have to go back to preseason tape to watch Ponder, but that didn’t seem to bother the head coach. “That’s all part of the preparation. We’ll be prepared either way.”

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Would Ziggy Wilf, Vikings owner (right), pack the bus and move to L.A.? Raymond T. Rivard Photograph

By Daniel Sigl

All Minnesotans are aware of two things right now. First, the state government is shut down. Second, the Minnesota Vikings’ lease on the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome expires at the end of this coming season, and they want a new stadium. It is an inconvenience to say the least that the state must approve of a new stadium.

At the same time, Los Angeles wants an NFL team. There are plans in place for a stadium in the Los Angeles suburbs; the only thing missing is a team. Ladies and gentlemen, the Los Angeles Vikings are certainly not out of the question. This would not be the first time a Minnesota team left for Los Angeles. The Lakers moved there from Minneapolis in 1960. (more…)