The 48-Year Lambeau Drought the Vikings Are Trying to End
The Minnesota Vikings are 21-25-3 (.459) at Lambeau Field since 1961, a record propped up by Minnesota’s dominance during the Purple People Eaters Era of the 1970s. Along the way, the Vikings have not won three games in a row at that stadium since 1977.
The Minnesota Vikings are trying to end a 48-year Lambeau drought this week, pushing for a rare streak in a building that’s stalled them for decades.
Most modern purple fans consider Lambeau Field a house of horrors, but the Vikings can accomplish a rare feat this weekend if they’re in the right mood.
Vikings Have Not Won Three Games Consecutively at Lambeau Field in 48 Years
That’s a drought, to be sure.
A Chance to End the 48-Year Madness
In 2023, Minnesota prevailed over Green Bay at Lambeau, a game in which Kirk Cousins tore his Achilles, ending his career with the Vikings, and paving the way for rookie passer Jaren Hall to stumble toward the finish line.
Last season, Sam Darnold’s Vikings lit up Green Bay for a monster three-score lead before Green Bay roared back and nearly completed an impressive comeback.
So, this Sunday, Minnesota has a chance to win at Lambeau thrice consecutively for the first time since a 1975, 1976, 1977 stretch. That’s right, Minnesota has not notched three road victories over Green Bay in a row in almost five decades.
The hard part — wins in 2023 and 2024 — is done. Now, J.J. McCarthy must mature on the fly and end the drought.
A Very, Very Raw Quarterback
McCarthy struggled for most of Week 11 against Chicago, and when he wasn’t off target, his receivers, tight ends, and backs dropped a stack of catchable throws. He finished 16 of 32 for 150 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions, and he never leaned on his legs — the one tool young quarterbacks typically use when the passing game stalls. He stayed in the pocket, and it didn’t get him anywhere.
All told, McCarthy is completing 52.9% of his passes. If his five-game performance were scaled to a full season, he would account for just over 2,800 passing yards, 27 total touchdowns, and 27 interceptions.
Packers Favored to Win by 6 or 7
Minnesota is also a hefty underdog, facing the first-in-48-years opportunity.
The Packers’ defense is stingy, and while the offense has experienced ruts this season, Green Bay is always capable of “figuring it out” against one of its foremost rivals.
The Vikings have a similar situation. The defense is mostly trustworthy, whereas the offense, led by the aforementioned McCarthy, ranks near the bottom of the NFL per efficiency. Minnesota also doesn’t like to run the ball at a normal NFL rate, meaning it leans on the inaccurate passer to deliver wins through the air, when most teams would rely on the ground attack.
How to Get a Dub
Minnesota can win on Sunday, extending the win spurt to three games at Lambeau, with a pretty damn straightforward formula:
- Win the Turnover Battle for Once
- Run the Football at Least 25 Times
- Pass the Rock with 60.0% Completion
- Clean Special Teams
- Limited Penalties
- Convert on 50.0+ of 3rd Downs
- Decent Redzone Efficiency
If Minnesota checks off four or so items from that list, it will win.,
It’s just that these tasks have proved daunting for O’Connell this season — hence a 4-6 record.
Packers-Themed Media on the Matchup
SI.com‘s Jacob Westendorf believes that Green Bay can fluster McCarthy.
He wrote Wednesday, “McCarthy is last in the NFL in completion percentage and, according to PFF, has the worst turnover-worthy play rate among quarterbacks who have played enough snaps to qualify. McCarthy will put the ball in harm’s way.”
“Of course, that was the situation the Packers’ defense faced last week with Jameis Winston at the controls for the Giants. The Packers’ defensive backs proceeded to drop four chances at interceptions. They’ll likely have a chance at redemption this week. When McCarthy is able to put the ball on target to his receivers, he has one of the best in football.”
Fans’ opinions of McCarthy have utterly overtaken water-cooler talk.
“Justin Jefferson has struggled to be fully unleashed with McCarthy. While he ranks seventh with 747 receiving yards, he is averaging a career-low 13.3 yards per reception. Green Bay’s pass rush needs to start finding a way, as well. Micah Parsons has been affecting the passer, but that is about it. This needs to be a big week for Rashan Gary, Devonte Wyatt and the potential return of Lukas Van Ness,” Westendorf continued.
“If they cannot start getting home with four, Jeff Hafley may need to start dialing up more blitzes, like he did a season ago. Regardless, McCarthy’s propensity to hold the ball, and issues with turnovers, should give the Packers some opportunities at big plays. That gives them the advantage.”
If you were born after November 27, 1977, you’ve never seen Minnesota win three times in a row at Lambeau Field.
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