Vikings Will Face Packers In Playoffs For Second Time In History

Dec 30, 2012; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder (7) passes over Green Bay Packers linebacker A.J. Hawk (50) and defensive tackle B.J. Raji (90) and linebacker Clay Matthews (52) in the first quarter at the Metrodome. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

For most of their time on this earth, the Vikings never got a sniff of the hated Packers in postseason play. That all changed on January 9, 2005 when the 8-8 Vikings traveled to Lambeau to face Brett Favre and Green Bay in the Wild Card round. The Vikes were heavy underdogs that day and with good reason. Who would’ve believed a .500 team could go into Lambeau and knock off the Pack with Favre at the helm?

That my friends is why they play the games. As we know, the Vikings were more than a match for the Packers that day. In fact they ended up trouncing Green Bay 31-17 behind Daunte Culpepper, Moe Williams and a hobbled-but-still-effective (and somewhat moon-happy) Randy Moss. It was an all-time legendary game. And thanks to today’s win over the Packers, the Vikes have a chance to repeat that history. They are going back to Lambeau for a playoff game. For the second time in less than a decade.

How will this one play out? Right now it seems the Packers should be heavily favored. We’ll have to see how the Vikings’ injury issues work themselves out over the week. Both Antoine Winfield and Harrison Smith had to leave today’s game. That leaves the Vikes very thin at defensive back. Offensively, the Vikes seem in decent health. John Sullivan was banged up a little today but I think he’ll be fine. The main thing is Christian Ponder and the confidence he got from playing the best game of his career.

Oh, and the Vikes still have that Peterson guy. He’s not bad.

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