4 things to watch in the Vikings Week 2 game vs. the Packers
By Chris Schad
The Minnesota Vikings will come full circle from last year’s disappointing trip to Lambeau Field as they’ll face the Green Bay Packers in Week 2.
If the Minnesota Vikings are having a serious case of deja vu, there’s a good chance that they are not alone.
One year ago, the Vikings stormed into Lambeau Field for an NFC North matchup with the Green Bay Packers coming off a solid Week 1 victory. As the game progressed, the Vikings went from lethargic to world beaters as they eventually forced a 29-29 tie.
While the Vikings didn’t lose the game, the outcomes of that contest were ones that changed the fortunes of the season. Daniel Carlson missed three field goals that sent him to the unemployment line. Dalvin Cook tweaked (but actually pulled) his hamstring and the injury wrecked the first half of his 2018 season.
The Vikings were so emotionally hungover that they went and laid an egg to the lowly Buffalo Bills the following week. In other words, it was a complete disaster.
This year has a different feel, however. Instead of getting by against the 49ers, the Vikings thoroughly dominated the Atlanta Falcons in Week 1. Even though they’ll be heading back to Green Bay on Sunday, the Packers hardly looked like world-beaters in a nationally televised 10-3 victory over the Chicago Bears.
With both teams looking to hop in the driver’s seat during the early portion of the 2019 season, Sunday’s game will go a long way in determining who has momentum and possibly who could keep it through the rest of the year.