In Week 16 the (11-3) Minnesota Vikings travel to Wisconsin to take on the (7-7) Packers in Green Bay. The 2017 NFC North champions have already clinched a playoff berth, but winning this week would assure the Vikings a first-round bye.
The Vikings are looking good from a health standpoint, especially for this late in the season.
Green Bay, meanwhile, is dealing with multiple notable injuries. They’ll be without star quarterback Aaron Rodgers and leading receiver Davante Adams and could be without starting linebackers Nick Perry and Clay Matthews. Also, did I mention the Packers have officially been eliminated from playoff contention?
Even so, with things trending upward for the Vikings and the Packers being kicked while they’re down, it doesn’t mean Green Bay won’t try to play spoiler Saturday night. Let’s take a look at how the teams stack up by the numbers.
MINNESOTA VIKINGS
The Vikings away record is 5-2.
Offensive ranks:
- Total offense = 8th (367.6 YPG)
- Passing = 9th (246.4 YPG)
- Rushing = 9th (121.3 YPG)
- Scoring = 13th (23.8 PPG)
Defensive ranks:
- Total defense = 2nd (283.9 YPG)
- Passing = 3rd (198.6 YPG)
- Rushing = 2nd (85.3 YPG)
- Scoring = 2nd (17.3 PPG)
Offensive leaders:
- Passing – QB Case Keenum: 3,219 yards with 20 touchdowns and seven interceptions
- Rushing – RB Latavius Murray: 662 yards with six touchdowns
- Receiving – WR Adam Thielen: 1,191 yards with four touchdowns
Defensive leaders:
- Tackles – MLB Eric Kendricks: 101
- Sacks – DE Everson Griffen: 13
- Interceptions – S Harrison Smith: 3
GREEN BAY PACKERS
The Packers home record is 4-3.
Offensive ranks:
- Total offense = 23rd (314.0 YPG)
- Passing = 22nd (206.3 YPG)
- Rushing = 18th (107.7 YPG)
- Scoring = 17th (22.1 PPG)
Defensive ranks:
- Total defense = 26th (356.4 YPG)
- Passing = 24th (240.0 YPG)
- Rushing = 20th (116.4 YPG)
- Scoring = 21st (23.8 PPG)
Offensive leaders:
- Passing – QB Aaron Rodgers: 1,675 yards with 16 touchdowns and six interceptions
- FYI current starter Brett Hundley: 1,534 yards with eight touchdowns and eight interceptions
- Rushing – RB Aaron Jones: 435 yards with four touchdowns
- Receiving – WR Davante Adams: 885 yards with ten touchdowns
Defensive leaders:
- Tackles – MLB Blake Martinez: 127
- Sacks – LB Clay Matthews: 7.5
- Interceptions – CB Damarious Randall: 4
Matchup History
- The Packers lead the all-time series between the two teams with a record of 60-52-2.
- The last time the two teams faced off in the regular season was Week 6 of 2017. On October 15th the Vikings beat the Packers 23-10.
- A win over Green Bay would be the Vikings first sweep of the Packers since 2009.
RELATED:
Team stats from NFL.com.
Matchup history from Pro Football Reference.
View Comments
One thing I think our defense should be aware of... I believe GB might try to emulate what Carolina did. Some QB options and variations of it. I know Hundley isn't Cam... but they're damn sure going to have to be able to run the ball cause they ain't gonna be able throw it on us, especially with no run game.
Plus need to be ready for fake punts/FG's... onside kicks... flea flickers/ HB passes.. going for it on 4th.. taking chances on defense. They'll be doing these things, they have nothing to lose. This is their Super Bowl! I think we'll win but be aware and focused. It won't be an easy win.
SKOL
Very true, Carolina did have some success moving the ball w/options and deceiving the defense with player assignments.
The Packers will need to pull out all stops with the plethora of injuries they're dealing with tonight