Josh Jacobs issues warning to Vikings ahead of potential playoff rematch

Did the Packers figure something out?

Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs
Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs | Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images

The Green Bay Packers could win 12 games and finish as low as the seventh seed in the NFC. Why? Because they can't beat their NFC North rivals (well, apart from the Chicago Bears).

Sunday's tough loss to the Minnesota Vikings provided further proof that the Packers have a lot of ground to make up on the division's top two teams. Green Bay has lost all four games against the Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions this season.

Minnesota built big leads in both games before Green Bay battled back to lose by two points in each contest. Can the Packers learn important lessons from this and use it to their advantage in a potential playoff rematch?

Josh Jacobs believes so.

Josh Jacobs believes Packers have figured out how to beat Vikings if they meet again

The Packers' performance followed a similar pattern to many of their toughest games this season. While the Vikings outplayed them, they also contributed to their own downfall, beginning with Jacobs' fumble on an otherwise promising opening drive.

If there's a positive, it's that they showed fight to battle back from a 27-10 fourth-quarter deficit and pull within two points. Jacobs believes the Packers have found a formula to beat the Vikings should they meet again in the playoffs.

"I think we found out what we can do against these guys. I think we found out what works," said Jacobs, via Ryan Wood of the Green Bay Press-Gazette.

It's unclear exactly what Jacobs is referring to, but the Packers did begin to figure things out offensively in the fourth quarter. They played up-tempo (in part because they had to), and it slowed down a Vikings defense that had dominated through three quarters. Green Bay put together a nine-play, 67-yard touchdown drive (and added the two-point conversion), followed by a quick 62-yard scoring drive that only took a little over two minutes off the clock.

RELATED: Matt LaFleur identifies Packers' biggest problem after loss to Vikings

Will the Packers and Vikings meet again? Only if they advance through the first round.

Minnesota will clinch the No. 1 or No. 5 seed when it faces the Detroit Lions on Sunday Night Football. Regardless, Green Bay won't get an immediate rematch with Kevin O'Connell's team.

If the Vikings secure the top seed, they could meet in the divisional round. If not, any rematch would have to wait until the NFC Championship Game.

Jacobs believes they may have figured something out, but until they prove they can beat one of the NFC's best teams, the Packers will remain clear underdogs.

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