Vikings Ups and Downs: Week 16 vs. the Green Bay Packers

The Good vs. the Packers

1. Vikings get the shutout this week

After allowing a late-game score to the Cincinnati Bengals last Sunday and missing out on a shutout, Minnesota redeemed themselves this week by not allowing Green Bay to score a single point on Saturday night. It is the first time the Vikings have shut out their opponent since Week 14 of the 1993 season against the Detroit Lions. Unlike last week, Minnesota still had a majority of their starters on the field during the Packers’ last offensive drive of the game. The Vikings made sure this shutout did not slip out of their hands.

2. A perfect evening for Kai Forbath

It’s been a bit of an up and down season for the Vikings’ kicker, but on Saturday against Green Bay, Forbath was perfect on each and every one of his attempts. Forbath converted on his lone extra point attempt and made all three of his field goal tries. Saturday night’s game was just the seventh time this season that the Vikings kicker did not miss any of his kicks.

3. Harrison Smith responds to Pro Bowl snub

A few days after the initial 2018 Pro Bowl rosters were released and he was not among those selected, all the Minnesota safety did on Saturday against the Packers was have the first multiple-interception game of his NFL career. Smith led the Vikings’ defense with eight total tackles this week as well. Hopefully he continues to prove the Pro Bowl voters wrong in all of Minnesota’s remaining games this year.