The Viking Age
FanSided

Six questions with the enemy: Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers

By Adam Carlson

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - OCTOBER 15: Case Keenum #7 of the Minnesota Vikings runs out of the pocket during the second quarter of the game against the Green Bay Packers on October 15, 2017 at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - OCTOBER 15: Case Keenum #7 of the Minnesota Vikings runs out of the pocket during the second quarter of the game against the Green Bay Packers on October 15, 2017 at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images) /
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The Minnesota Vikings face off against the Green Bay Packers in Week 16 and we spoke with FanSided’s Green Bay Packers site about the Saturday night game!

The Minnesota Vikings have ensured them a playoff spot this year by winning the NFC North following a Week 15 win over the Bengals. Meanwhile, the Green Bay Packers will be sitting home this year for the postseason and watching the games on television.

Those two teams will go head-to-head on Saturday Night Football on December 23, 2017 in a game that may not have a lot of meaning for the Packers but the Vikings will be desperate to win in order to improve their seed in the playoff picture.

To prepare for this game, The Viking Age asked Freddie Boston from Lombardi Ave (FanSided’s site about the Green Bay Packers) six questions about the upcoming game and the feeling about Minnesota in general. Here is what he had to say:

1) Despite Green Bay being eliminated from playoff contention, how important is it for the Packers to beat Minnesota?

“In my opinion, not very. Some fans will want to take down the Vikings. And I get it. They’re a division rival. They’ve taken the Packers’ division crown. But I’m a believer that a higher draft pick could be the best thing for Green Bay long term. It’s been a while since the team has picked inside the top-15. A victory here doesn’t do anything for the Packers, it won’t slow down the playoff-bound Vikings a whole lot and it will be forgotten by February. I’m not rooting against the Packers, but a victory doesn’t help them much.”

2) What is one big way the Packers have an advantage over Minnesota?

“Normally I’d say Aaron Rodgers. Without him, it’s hard to name an area the Packers are stronger. I’m a fan of the new running back duo of Jamaal Williams and Aaron Jones, but I wouldn’t say it’s an advantage the Packers have. Latavius Murray and Jerick McKinnon form a strong pairing themselves.

The only advantage the Packers have is that this game is at Lambeau. Even without playoff football, the stadium will be filled with green and gold, it will be loud and it will be cold.”

3) What is the average Packers fan reaction to being eliminated from the playoffs? And do many blame Anthony Barr for that?

“Many fans want the Packers to make some big changes to the coaching staff. Dom Capers is an unpopular name in Green Bay, as his defense has continued to struggle year in year out. Some are even calling for Ted Thompson to retire and Mike McCarthy to step aside.

I think some of that is a little extreme. I’m a believer of McCarthy, and Thompson isn’t going anywhere until he’s ready to retire.

A switch at defensive coordinator is the most likely change we’ll see. The Packers have talent on defense, but we’re not seeing results on the field. It’s also no coincidence that Casey Hayward and Micah Hyde, who both left the Packers via free agency, are now Pro Bowlers with their new teams. Why didn’t they perform at the same level in Green Bay? This one is on Capers.

It’s an unfamiliar feeling for Packers fans, who feel the team should be pushing for championships. Rodgers’ injury exposed the problems the team has that he usually masks, and that’s led to frustration among the fanbase.”

4) Which one player from each team will have a big day on Sunday and why?

“Adam Thielen is my pick for the Vikings. He could have a 100-yard day against this defense in his sleep. The Packers are giving up a ton of yardage through the air, and we can’t forget Thielen’s 200-yard day at Lambeau last year.

Jamaal Williams gets my vote for the Packers. To win Green Bay will need to run the ball well. Williams gets better with volume, which he’ll need on Saturday. With Davante Adams ruled out, the Packers will need to lean on the ground game. Minnesota’s defense is tough against the run, but if Williams is given 20-plus carries, he can produce.”

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5) What is your prediction for the game, including a final score?

“Minnesota all day long. This would be a tough test for the Packers even with Rodgers. Without him, they lose big. Vikings 30, Packers 7.”

6) With Green Bay eliminated from the playoffs, what percentage of Packers fans do you think will be hoping for the Vikings to get their first Super Bowl win ever?

“Zero percent would be too high. Packers fans will want to see the Vikings eliminated quickly.

And Packers fans won’t like me saying this, but I actually don’t dislike the Vikings. There’s a lot to like about the franchise. Their fans have waited a long time for a championship, Mike Zimmer is a great coach and built a Super Bowl roster. The team has overcome multiple injuries, a rotation of quarterbacks and still dominated. And how could anybody not love seeing Teddy Bridgewater back out there?”

Next: No Aaron Rodgers for Packers in Week 16 vs Vikings

Huge thanks to Freddie Boston and Lombardi Ave for answering our questions. Be sure to check out Lombardi Avenue for more information on the Packers matchup against the Minnesota Vikings. Plus, you can chat with Freddie Boston on Twitter about the game as well as his predictions for Week 16!

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