Cold and Windy. That’s the forecast for Sunday noon in Minneapolis, Minn as the Packers and Vikings will kick-off, renewing their historic NFC North rivalry. But, who cares about the weather? The Vikings play their home games inside the beautiful U.S. Bank Stadium. So why mention it? Well, it always surprised me (and I’m sure I’m not alone with this thought) that the Vikings, who were completely dominant in the 1970s, making 4 super bowl appearances, choose to play their home games indoors. Minneapolis is north of Green Bay and normally 5-ish degrees colder on average during the winter months. Throughout the decade of their NFC Dominance, the Vikings had possibly the greatest home-field advantage in the NFL. And, as a good example of the Vikings’ former outdoor dominance, from 1967 to 1981 when Minnesota played home games outdoors at Metropolitan Stadium, under Head Coach Bud Grant, and once they were established (no longer an expansion team) the Vikes were 10-5 vs the Pack.
Certainly drawing Vikings fans by the tens of thousands is easier in an indoor stadium, but I can never help thinking what might have been if they had chosen to have opponents come to the Great White North. C’est la vie.
This Sunday the Packers bring an 8-2 record and a hefty division lead into Minneapolis. The Vikings are in second place in the division and at 4-5 this is essentially a must-win game if they want to make the postseason.
For Green Bay, injuries continue to be an issue as all-pro RB Aaron Jones is out with a knee sprain and the Pack will rely heavily on 2nd-year RB A.J. Dillon. QB Aaron Rodgers missed 2 practices this week with an undisclosed toe injury but will start. Look for Green Bay to rely on screen passes to counter Minnesota’s defense. The Vikes, who will throw unusual blitzes at Rodgers, have a strong 4 man pass rush and play a cover 2 shell over the top. Slow and steady will be the pace.
For the Vikings they are still hoping their $115M experiment at QB, Kirk Cousins, will finally be able to take control of the rivalry. During big games against the division foe, Cousins has continually made key errors that have cost his team wins. He will face a surprisingly strong Packers defense which is ranked 5th overall in the NFL. Look for Head Coach Mike Zimmer to rely on RB Dalvin Cook’s running to open up plays for the passing game Sunday.
Like the Line?
The game opened with the Packers a 2 ½ point favorite and after hearing news of Rodgers’ foot and Aaron Jones, the lines moved to 1 to 1 ½ in Vegas, online, and in sportsbooks.
Some Cold-Cold History
This NFL North rivalry is the coldest in the League. Let’s take a look at some of the numbers.
Packers vs Vikings All-time Head-to-Head (and other) stats:
Wins all-time: 63-55-3 (inc. 2 playoff)
Playoff wins: 1/1
Since 2000: 24/14 (2 tied)
Points scored all-time: 2655/2371
In Minnesota: 30-29
Super Bowl wins: 4/0
- First Meeting: Oct. 22, 1961, GB 33 at MN 7
- Last Meeting: Nov. 1, 2020, MN 28 at GB 22
- Packers longest win streak: 6 (1961 to 1963)
- Vikings longest win streak: 7 (1975 to 1978)
- Rodgers vs MN (15-9-1)
- Cousins vs GB (2-3-1)
Sunday Kickoff in Minneapolis is noon.
For more NFL coverage, click here.
