A Marauding In Minneapolis: Why the Green Bay Packers beat the Minnesota Vikings

Dec 24, 2016; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jordy Nelson (87) and quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) celebrate a touchdown completion in the second quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jim Matthews/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin via USA TODAY Sports
Dec 24, 2016; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jordy Nelson (87) and quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) celebrate a touchdown completion in the second quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jim Matthews/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin via USA TODAY Sports
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Dec 24, 2016; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jordy Nelson (87) and quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) celebrate a touchdown completion in the second quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jim Matthews/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin via USA TODAY Sports
Dec 24, 2016; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jordy Nelson (87) and quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) celebrate a touchdown completion in the second quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jim Matthews/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin via USA TODAY Sports

With many playoffs hopefuls falling short in Week 16 to either severely hamper or end their dreams early, the Green Bay Packers took care of business to come away with a 38-25 victory over the Minnesota Vikings to get to 9-6.

Unlike the game against Chicago this one didn’t end up being in doubt towards the end, with Green Bay holding a 25-point lead about midway through the fourth quarter before a few meaningless scores brought things closer at the end.

What went so much differently in this outing than the 17-14 disappointment which occurred in the last meeting between these squads?

Here’s what I came away feeling was most responsible for this outcome…

Schedule