The Absolute Best Week 17 Packers Preview: Green Bay Packers (7-8) vs Minnesota Vikings (12-3)
Week 17 Packers Preview: Vegas Prediction
Vegas Prediction: Packers -3 (48.5 O/U)
- Packers games have hit the under twice in a row.
- Vikings have hit the over five times in a row.
- Vikings are on a five-game win streak.
Week 17 Packers Preview: Background
Packers lead series 64-57-3
Week 1 Score GB 7 – MIN 23
The last time these two teams met, it went poorly for the Packers. The offense couldn’t get it going through the air, with Aaron Rodgers passing for only 195 yards. Rodgers also ended his NFC North interception-free streak and had a fumble lost. Miscues on the offensive line resulted in four sacks. They went for it twice on fourth down and failed to convert. There were big-time drops. It was a mess on offense.
Justin Jefferson feasted on the Packers’ pass defense. The superstar WR had a stat line of 9-184-2. Jefferson accounted for 66% of the passing yardage total. Head Coach Matt LaFleur and Defensive Coordinator Joe Barry were both heavily criticized for not having CB Jaire Alexander cover Jefferson 1-on-1.
The lone bright spot of the Packers in this game was their criminally underutilized running backs. Aaron Jones is one of the league’s best running backs and he only ran the ball five times for 49 yards. He made the most of those touches, ripping off a 26-yard scamper with 9.8 yards per carry. AJ Dillon was used more, doubling Jones’ carries while rushing for 45 yards. Dillon also served as the Packers’ leading receiver in yards (46) and receptions (5).
Week 17 Packers Preview: What to Watch For
Let’s Not Do That Again
Let’s not give Aaron Jones five carries. Let’s not allow Justin Jefferson to get wide-open on the goal line. Let’s not give up tossing it deep to the Packers’ star receiver because he had one bad drop.
As said earlier, Jones is one of the best. The Packers need to lean on their best players, especially when the playoffs are on the line. Aaron Jones is a highly efficient runner who battles his way forward for every inch. His 5.1 yards per carry ranks third in the league for running backs. He needs to be used more around the goal line.
Also said earlier, Jefferson is a superstar. Jefferson went in motion on the fourth and goal touchdown to the right side of the field and was left wide open for an easy touchdown because of soft coverage. Why? Why in the name of everything good and pure would you play soft coverage on one of the best young wide receivers in the game? Jefferson needs to be treated like the game-breaker he is. Let the Vikings beat the Packers in ways that don’t include the number 18.
Christian Watson fell out of Aaron Rodgers’ favor on the very first offensive snap in Week 1. Talk about a tough break for a rookie in an unnecessarily stressful position. His athleticism would have been exactly what the Packers needed to get back into the game after failing to score before halftime. The Vikings have the worst pass defense in the league and need to be treated as such. He did not practice a couple of times this week and is listed as questionable on the injury report. For Green Bay’s sake, they need him, as they will need a weapon to parry Jefferson with.
Week 17 Packers Preview: My Terrible Takes
Packers 29 – Vikings 27
- Wishful thinking here, but damn it I want the Packers to win. Things go the opposite way in this game. The offense actually takes advantage of a good matchup and goes for 450+ yards.
- One thing doesn’t change; Cook will rush for 100+ and a touchdown.
- My crystal ball is telling me that there will be one Packer that scores multiple touchdowns. It’s just not telling me who. So I will say Allen Lazard is going in for two.
Week 17 Packers Preview: Injury Report
Packers
Questionable – DB Keisean Nixon (groin), WR Christian Watson (hip)
Vikings
Out – C Garrett Bradbury (back), NT James Lynch (shoulder)
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