Packers Question of the day - Toughest foe; Vikings or Lions?
The final two games of the season have the Packers up against the Vikings and Lions respectively, both for the second time this season. They lost their first meeting with Minnesota, but won their first meeting with Detroit.
Although the Lions have a better record than the Vikings and aren't falling to pieces like the Vikings are, it doesn't necessarily mean they'll pose the toughest challenge to the Packers.
Of these final two games, which opponent will pose as the biggest threat to Green Bay's playoff hopes? The Mike Zimmer-led Vikings, or the Lions, who will be at home in week 17 where the Packers have struggled, at least in recent history minus a Hail Mary.
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Zachary Jacobson is a staff writer/reporter for Cheesehead TV. He's the voice of The Leap on iTunes and can be heard on The Scoop KLGR 1490 AM every Saturday morning. He's also a contributor on the Pack-A-Day Podcast. He can be found on Twitter via @ZachAJacobson or contacted through email at [email protected].
Comments (41)
GVPacker
December 22, 2016 at 09:04 am
Gotta say the Lions. It's a road game in a dome!
Chad the white Scandinavian
December 22, 2016 at 02:26 pm
I agree they're the tougher opponent, by far in fact. But Rodgers loves nothing more than a dome game where he has traditionally dominated.
EdsLaces
December 22, 2016 at 09:23 am
I think the vikes. Not because they are the better team but I just hope we aren't looking past them toward the Lions game . I just hope we are focused...run the table baby.
Chad the white Scandinavian
December 22, 2016 at 02:25 pm
The Vikings are missing around 6-7 key starters, which is why they took a pummeling from the Colts last week. Yes, they could technically still win, but they're a far lesser opponent than the Lions at this point.
SerbPacker
December 22, 2016 at 09:31 am
Viqueens is worst game for us, i my opinion...
Bearmeat
December 22, 2016 at 09:33 am
Honestly, I don't care who is tougher. Beat them both. Neither are legit super bowl contenders. Both are teams Green Bay can and should beat.
Win the NFCN. THEN worry about the rest of January.
Tundraboy
December 22, 2016 at 01:42 pm
Exactly, just run the table. After last year, beating the Vikings at home and sweeping the Lions is motivation alone and should not be a problem if they focus and play as a team. After that we can reassess what team we have. They beat Seattle that way and there is no reason to expect less now.
Andrew Lloyd Peth
December 22, 2016 at 09:51 am
Vikings. I think our run game could struggle againat that front 7, and Peterson will be in his 2nd game.
dobber
December 22, 2016 at 01:52 pm
I bet Peterson doesn't play this week. Just a hunch.
jeremyjjbrown
December 22, 2016 at 07:24 pm
I hope he does. Wasted snaps.
Matt Weiske
December 22, 2016 at 09:59 am
Lions. Road game. Dome. Division on the line. Enough said.
RCPackerFan
December 22, 2016 at 10:02 am
I still question how good the Lions actually are.
Out of the 2 offenses and 2 defenses of the Vikings and Lions I would say the best unit is the Vikings Defense.
I will say the Vikings will be tougher just because Rodgers has struggled against Zimmer lead defenses for a long time.
That being said Rodgers has been playing at a very high level, and they finally found a run game. And the emergence of Montgomery as a real threat helps the offense a lot.
Regardless of who is the toughest. Packers have to win both games. Starting with the Vikings.
Finwiz
December 22, 2016 at 02:13 pm
I think it's a very close call between the Viqueens defense and the Lions offense. I believe the Packers are going to struggle big time to control Stafford and that offense, and their D will be lucky to hold them under 27. Stafford has the ability to get the ball out fast and see's the entire field, plus he's playing extremely well this year. Both these games are going to be difficult, but I think they are total tossups regarding which one is going to be more difficult to win.
RCPackerFan
December 23, 2016 at 06:58 am
Yeah, the Lions do have a good offense. I just don't know how great they are. Really Stafford is a better version of Jay Cutler. He is prone to making mistakes. But is a better leader.
That being said if you going strength vs strength or strength vs weakness. The Lions offense going against our defense definitely is a strength vs weakness matchup in favor of the Lions.
holmesmd
December 23, 2016 at 08:59 am
Staffords throwing hand is jacked up and he struggled wearing a protective glove. If the pass rush knocks him around, things could go sideways for the Lions quickly. We should beat the Vikings pretty soundly at home IMO. Go Pack!!!
Since'61
December 22, 2016 at 10:10 am
Packers need to win both games no matter what IMO.
Having said that I expect the Lions game to be tougher because it's on the road and Stafford is a better QB than Bradford. What impact Stafford's hand injury will have is TBD.
Also, I noted that AP was a DNP for the Viqueens yesterday. Could mean they are just resting him or that he is not yet at 100%. In any case he was little to no factor against the Colts.
One game at a time, beat the Viqueens. With the Lions playing on Monday evening in Dallas the Packers get 2 more days rest that the Lions and the Lions have a shorter week to prepare for the Pack. Could give the Packers a slight edge. Go Pack Go! Thanks, Since '61
RocsCave
December 22, 2016 at 10:24 am
The toughest one at any time is the one in front of you at that moment. Especially when you can't go around them, but only through them.
dobber
December 22, 2016 at 01:52 pm
^^^THIS^^^
tobinrote
December 22, 2016 at 10:35 am
just keep damarious randall off the field and we should win both games. having said that, the lions game will be harder if only because on a fast field with our DBs they can do to us what Washington did to us.
stockholder
December 22, 2016 at 10:51 am
The Lions will be the toughest game ever. The detroit area hates the packers. They will try to hurt A-Rod. Expect Fights and dirty play. Stafford was getting the press for being better than Rodgers this year. The WRs are that good! Ebron does not drop passes like petigrew. The defense keeps improving. They will be very hungry!
pooch
December 22, 2016 at 11:29 am
The Packers could lose Saturday and if the Lions lose Saturday and the Packers beat the Lions the Packers will win the central
holmesmd
December 23, 2016 at 09:03 am
Yes but if GB wins Sat & the Lions lose to Dallas, we can still win the Division with a loss to the Lions on Sun, correct? The Giants also lost Thurs night so even if we don't win the division, I think we will get a WC birth as long as GB wins 1 of its 2 remaining games.
snowdog
December 22, 2016 at 11:40 am
" With the Lions playing on Monday evening in Dallas the Packers get 2 more days rest that the Lions and the Lions have a shorter week to prepare for the Pack. Could give the Packers a slight edge. Go Pack Go! Thanks, Since '61"
You nailed it Since '61" That's the key .
marpag1
December 22, 2016 at 11:46 am
Lions, Vikings... whatever... two cheeks of the same ass just waiting to get kicked.
holmesmd
December 23, 2016 at 09:05 am
Hahahaha, that's friggin hilarious! Lol
jlc1
December 22, 2016 at 11:50 am
the unit the Packers need to worry about is not the Vikes or the Lions it's their own D. Which Packers D shows up the rest of this season, however long it is, determines how many W's they put up.
hybridauth_Facebook_100002028167956
December 22, 2016 at 12:07 pm
I am from Germany. As the saying is there for Soccer:
The next opponent is always the hardest one
MarkinMadison
December 22, 2016 at 12:09 pm
Before Staffords injury I would have said the Lions. Now, I'd say the Vikings worry me more. But neither worries me all that much.
dobber
December 22, 2016 at 01:57 pm
Having seen way too much Lions football this season I'll say this: they are a team of grinders. They don't impress you on the stat page, but they're always hanging around at the end of games. They give themselves a chance to win and they aren't pissing it away like they have in the past. Still, the only team they've beaten that currently has a winning record is the Redskins.
Bert
December 22, 2016 at 12:15 pm
I think we should, and will, win both games. That being said I think the Lions are the toughest opponent. I just can't fathom losing to Sam Bradford twice in the same season. Has anybody ever done that before? Yikes!!
Lphill
December 22, 2016 at 12:36 pm
I want to see the Packers bury the Vikings just so their fans have a misreble Christmas , Viking fans are the worst.
Lphill
December 22, 2016 at 12:36 pm
I want to see the Packers bury the Vikings just so their fans have a misreble Christmas , Viking fans are the worst.
Samson
December 22, 2016 at 04:06 pm
I don't disagree with you but the Vikes have gone from 5-0 and thinking SB to 7-7 and probably a losing season.
Their fans already are guaranteed a lousy Xmas season.
croatpackfan
December 22, 2016 at 02:04 pm
Vikings. Why? Because Lions are to far away at this moment. If Packers beat Vikings, ask me than...
Bugeater
December 22, 2016 at 02:05 pm
Vikings will be harder. I think Rodgers totally runs Dee Troit out of the dome like he did Atlanta during the Superbowl run.
pacman
December 22, 2016 at 02:47 pm
Having a little fun here...
Toughest foe over the next 2 weeks - Dom Capers. AR is going to have to figure out how to not get beaten by his own D.
thattcguy
December 22, 2016 at 04:30 pm
It's the Lions. I don't think they're that great, but Stafford will probably do a number on our defense and the game's at Ford Field, which aside from being indoors (which benefits the Lions) has been a low-key tough place for the Packers to play over the last few years.
The Vikings just lost their best defensive player (and as a result got shredded by the Colts), can't protect their quarterback, and only really have one good offensive weapon. Plus, we're playing at Lambeau.
4thand1
December 22, 2016 at 05:11 pm
I don't care which game is tougher. Just win both the dam games.
Packer_Pete
December 22, 2016 at 06:08 pm
always the next one - hence Vikings...
fthisJack
December 22, 2016 at 06:38 pm
just to clarify. the Packers can get into the playoffs as a wild card if the stars align correctly. chances are, if they run the table they will be playing the Giants at home. good time to get payback on them for that cold playoff game eons ago but they are much better than the team the Packers beat in week 3?
mattgsx
December 22, 2016 at 10:00 pm
The Lions late game heroics + Packers difficulty getting their defense off the field late in games = a scary proposition.
But it matters a whole lot less if the Packers can't win the game in front of them.