20 Things to Know before Vikings-Packers

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Nov 20, 2021
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Davante Adams (17) is upended on a reception against Minnesota Vikings linebacker Eric Kendricks (54) during their football game Sunday, September 13, 2020, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minn. Minnesota Vikings linebacker Eric Wilson (50) made the initial hit. Apc Packersvsvikings 0913200937

The Minnesota Vikings (4-5) host the Green Bay Packers (8-2) in Week 11.

Here are 20 stats, facts, and things to know leading into the NFC North showdown.

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  1. The Packers lead the all-time series 63-55-3 over the Vikings.
  2. In three of the last four seasons, whichever team won the Vikings-Packers matchup in Minneapolis advanced to the NFC Championship.
  3. There is a temptation to believe Aaron Rodgers is deadly at U.S. Bank Stadium. He is not. In five career games at the venue, he’s tossed six touchdowns to two interceptions.
  4. The Vikings currently have a 40% chance to reach the playoffs per FiveThirtyEight.com. A win over Green Bay kicks that percentage to 61%, while a loss sends Minnesota back to 27%.
  5. Overall in his career, Rodgers owns a blistering 50 touchdown to seven interception ratio in games against the Vikings.
  6. With fans in attendance, the Vikings are 22-0 when scoring at least 21 points at U.S. Bank Stadium.
  7. The highest-graded player on the Vikings through 10 weeks per Pro Football Focus is Kirk Cousins (90.8).
  8. The Vikings sack opponents more than any other team in the NFL at 3.2 per game.
  9. Through nine games, Kirk Cousins is responsible for 19 touchdowns and three turnovers, while some Vikings fans don’t believe he’s any good.
  10. Fpr penalties per game, the Packers are currently the least penalized team in the NFL.
  11. For penalty yards per game, the Vikings are currently the most penalized team in the NFL.
  12. 25% of all Vikings opponents’ points are scored in the final two minutes of the 1st Half in 2021.
  13. The Vikings rank #1 in the NFL in 4th Down Conversion % on offense (72.7%).
  14. The Packers are the NFL’s 11th team via defensive DVOA. The Vikings rank eighth in the same metric. This game is more likely to be a defensive tryst than a total shootout.
  15. The Packers have been the beneficiary of 12 defensive pass interference calls so far in 2021. That is — Green Bay’s opponent has been called for DPI 12 times. That is the most in the NFL thru 10 weeks.
  16. When Sunday’s game kicks off against the Packers, Kirk Cousins will have started 57 games for the Vikings and 57 games for the Washington Football Team.
  17. Justin Jefferson leads the NFL in receiving yardage on 3rd Down (350 yards).
  18. In the history of the rivalry, 45.3% of Vikings-Packers games have been decided by seven or fewer points.
  19. Against the Packers on Sunday, it will be the first time in the history of U.S. Bank Stadium that fans are in attendance but Danielle Hunter is not on the field.
  20. If Rodgers does indeed leave the Packers after the 2021 season, this could be Rodgers’ final game at U.S. Bank Stadium.

Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sally from Minneapolis. His Viking fandom dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ and The Doors (the band).

Aaron Rodgers

Also Read: There Is One Way for Vikings to Beat Aaron Rodgers