Packers 2017 schedule release: Game-by-game predictions
By Kenn Korb
Week 16: Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota may have beaten the Packers at home in a dominant effort in 2016, but the road contest was about as different as could be.
The Vikings went from forcing this Packers team into a slew of turnovers and holding them to 14 points to in-fighting and mutiny against their coach’s defensive gameplan in giving up 38 points in a rout.
The Vikings should not be quite so easy to push around this time. Their offense had turned into a six-yard-deep passing attack with no run support and an offensive line which let QB Sam Bradford get tossed around like a sack of potatoes all game every game. Now, with major changes to the blocking group they should be able to hold up at least marginally better, and that can make a huge difference on its own.
The defense should meanwhile find itself healthier and more rested, at least in part to that offense being able to stay on the field and sustain drives more often. Though they never completely fell off the map, the Vikings did begin to have a tougher time being quite as forceful on the defensive end with so many possessions to line up against. The defense is built on speed, but even fast players can tire if they are running full-force for extending periods of time without much rest.
Even a full-health, in-rhythm Green bay offense might have their work cut out for them if that defense can stay fresh.
Enough to win them the game? Possibly, but I must note that even with practically everything going wrong in last year’s Week 2 contest, they could have been tied towards the end had Mike McCarthy taken a field goal earlier rather than go for it (the attempt, a Ty Montgomery up-the-middle run which was stuffed); in that situation, it’s still anyone’s game.
That close ending came on the road. With this one at home, and the knowledge of what happened last time in tow, McCarthy seems apt to go conservative this time around should the situation arise. It could make all the difference, but in a good way this time.
Packers 24, Vikings 21 (11-4)