Cory's Corner: Packers Cannot Look To SF

Vikings would want nothing more than to derail Packers' season. 

On the surface, the Packers should destroy the Vikings on Sunday. 

Green Bay is scoring 32.8 points per game and Minnesota is allowing 32. The Vikings traded for outside linebacker Yannick Ngakoue on Aug. 30 from Jacksonville and on Oct. 22, Minnesota traded the fifth-year pro to Baltimore. Ngakoue leads the Vikings in sacks and is second in hurries, but now they won't have that anymore. And just when Minnesota's defense couldn't get any worse, it is also rolling with two rookies, a seventh rounder and two undrafted free agents at corner. 

Minnesota is beyond desperate. The Vikings are 1-5 and haven't notched a win since hanging on to beat Houston 31-23 in Week 4. The Vikings know that if they fall to the Packers, their season is done. Even with another playoff team entering the fray this year, it will be hard to squeak into the postseason — especially with three of the final four games on the road. 

The last thing the Packers should be doing is looking ahead to San Francisco on Thursday. The Vikings don't want to get swept by their hated neighbors to the east two years in a row. That's why this is going to be Minnesota's Super Bowl. I would expect an attitude of all guns ablazing for the Vikings to do whatever it takes to bring home a win. 

As long as the Packers play their game and continue the flawless offensive precision, Aaron Rodgers will surgically knife through this suspect defense.

Green Bay may look at Minnesota and see a team that has been beaten down this year with injuries and bad breaks. Even if Dalvin Cook cannot play because of a groin injury, I would expect something interesting from Mike Zimmer's bag of tricks. 

But after the hiccup at Tampa a couple weeks ago, nothing should be taken for granted. The NFL is a week-to-week league and just because Kirk Cousins leads the league with 10 picks doesn't mean he cannot put together an unreal performance that keeps the Packers defense on its toes. 

The Packers are playing confident right now, but most importantly, they have proven that they can still win when they don't have the services of everyone. 

Green Bay may see a team that's gasping for air, but that doesn't mean that the Packers should throw them a life jacket. 

 

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Cory Jennerjohn is a graduate from UW-Oshkosh and has been in sports media for over 15 years. He was a co-host on "Clubhouse Live" and has also done various radio and TV work as well. He has written for newspapers, magazines and websites. He currently is a columnist for CHTV and also does various podcasts. He recently earned his Masters degree from the University of Iowa. He can be found on Twitter: @Coryjennerjohn

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6 points
 

Comments (29)

Fan-Friendly This filter will hide comments which have ratio of 5 to 1 down-vote to up-vote.
mrtundra's picture

October 31, 2020 at 08:24 am

I've learned to never underestimate your opponent, and especially so, with the vikings. Every time they play GB, it's their Border Battle, their Super Bowl, all rolled into one. Purple haze can be seen for miles, near the border. The Packers seem to not see the vikings as their Super Bowl nor make much out of the Border Battle hype, which really eats at vikings fans. GB is rolling on offense, right now, and on paper, should roll all over the vikings' depleted defense. GB needs to take care of business on Sunday and smear these pretenders all over Lambeau Field. GO PACK, GO!!!

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Fire_Gute's picture

November 01, 2020 at 11:24 am

Kirk Cousins made tens of millions of dollars putting up huge numbers in games that don't mean anything against terrible defenses. I'm worried that this game falls right into those parameters

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PeteK's picture

October 31, 2020 at 09:11 am

Never take a traditional division rival for granted. They can play with reckless abandonment which could be dangerous because they have some high powered players on offense.

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dobber's picture

October 31, 2020 at 09:25 am

"And just when Minnesota's defense couldn't get any worse, it is also rolling with two rookies, a seventh rounder and two undrafted free agents at corner. "

Strong winds will make it hard for the Packers to take advantage of that for more than 2 quarters. Weather means the run game will be all the more important tomorrow.

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Coldworld's picture

October 31, 2020 at 12:43 pm

It could be all game if it’s not a straight line wind or it’s not from one end consistently. The wind may actually be the best defender for the Vikings if it’s as bad as predicted. Takes away the long pass.

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Leatherhead's picture

October 31, 2020 at 09:28 pm

So maybe we should run more and pass less?

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ricky's picture

October 31, 2020 at 09:49 am

Could this be one of those infamous "trap games"? Sure. Will it be? Since the embarrassment in TB, it's doubtful. Also, as pointed out, the winds should be gusting. And Mason Crosby is listed as "questionable" on the injury report. There is no official backup for Crosby, though it seems logical that Scott would be given the chore to attempt FG's or extra points. Or maybe they'll be in four down territory anytime they gear within 35 yards of the Vikings end zone. And, of course, RIP Herb Adderly.

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packer132's picture

October 31, 2020 at 12:22 pm

Packers had kicker Nick Vogel in last week for a workout and he has passed the Covid tests so could be signed on Sunday. According to his coach, Mason should play but we will see.

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13TimeChamps's picture

October 31, 2020 at 10:28 am

I don't see any way that the Vikings young, inexperienced defense can or will stop the Packers offense. The only way I could see the Packers losing is if the defense lays an egg and lets Cook, Jefferson and Theilen (sp?) run wild. But Z loves to feast on the Vikings, so hoping he has a huge game!

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canadapacker's picture

October 31, 2020 at 10:34 am

As I said earlier - I am always fearful about this game in GB against this Vikes team. We will need to score a lot of points as I am sure that Theilan and the boys will score against us. Especially if Cook is in and that Mattison kid is not bad either. I just hope that we dont sit out too many guys as preventative. Dont mind Bak being out but we need to get Ervin and that jet sweep going so that we can stretch their D. Remember that MVS and Lazard had a couple of real nice long catches and Jones had 66 yards. I just hope that AR is as on target this game as he was the last time - he was a tad off against Houston - we can eat this team up if he makes his throws pinpoint especially to Tonyon and Stearnberger - predicting a big game out of those guys

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dobber's picture

October 31, 2020 at 09:49 pm

"...we need to get Ervin and that jet sweep going so that we can stretch their D. "

If you can't stretch a team vertically due to the weather, stretch them horizontally.

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egbertsouse's picture

October 31, 2020 at 10:43 am

On offense I expect Zimmer to run Cook and use TEs in the middle. On defense, double Davante and blitz the hell out of Rodgers and turn him into the Rodgers of the Tampa game. Hopefully, this means Zimmer will do neither because I am always wrong.

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dobber's picture

October 31, 2020 at 09:47 pm

They just don't have the horses on the DL to control the LOS and make that blitz game work the same way.

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TarynsEyes's picture

October 31, 2020 at 11:13 am

The Packers can't help looking ahead to SF since Minn is no longer a threat to GB.

The more meaningful question is SF looking ahead to GB and not focused on Sea this week. The answer is an absolute no. That means the team that beat us twice last year sees GB as near inconsequential regardless of the record that GB has come Thursday night. The only way that changes is for GB to win Thursday in SF to put into the minds of SF that GB has arrived or GB is what they were last season, a really wonderful record and not much else.

I know, I'm being negative, but two losses to two teams that can punch you in the face halfway into the season will not be a good look no matter the record come playoff time.

GB needs to win big against Minn if only to make SF read the box score of what may come to SF, but any slip against this assumed season over team, and it may be season over for GB as to SB, though denial will be high.

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13TimeChamps's picture

October 31, 2020 at 11:22 am

Good lord....you really are a depressing person.

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TarynsEyes's picture

October 31, 2020 at 12:09 pm

If looking at the whole picture and the long road ahead makes me a depressing person, I would expect you have often been found to be ill prepared for much.

Realist plan for what may come, blind optimist or deniers of obvious possibles, always need to make excuses.

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Lphill's picture

October 31, 2020 at 02:07 pm

Some people here are just happy with the Packers getting to the playoffs , and nothing more .

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13TimeChamps's picture

October 31, 2020 at 04:21 pm

The Packers have 13 NFL Championships, more than any other team in the leagues 100+ years history, including 5 SB appearances with 4 wins. What "nothing more" are you referring to?

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TarynsEyes's picture

October 31, 2020 at 04:26 pm

Yes, this type of history is great, but what is it doing for the present and the last ten years. Would any of those past FOs or HCs done what has been with Rodgers since 2010. No, and they certainly wouldn't be happy about Division Titles.

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13TimeChamps's picture

October 31, 2020 at 05:07 pm

Ok you both win. I was wrong. Unless we win the Super Bowl every other year, this organization is extremely flawed and inept. I just wish we were like those other 31 teams who make the Super Bowl every year. I can't believe I've been so gullible to be duped by this organization for the past 50+ years. You've convinced me. I'm coming over to the Dark Side. I hope you will accept me as your newest member. But it might take me a little while to get used to this negativity thing. Please be patient.

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dobber's picture

October 31, 2020 at 02:15 pm

"Realist plan for what may come"

Everyone is a realist...it's just that we don't all subscribe to the same view of reality.

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Coldworld's picture

November 01, 2020 at 12:39 am

That is unreal

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PearlyBakerBest's picture

November 01, 2020 at 08:18 am

Everyone looks at the whole picture. People call you depressing because you have decided for everyone that the Packers cannot get to or win the Super Bowl. If they make the playoffs they will get trounced. They will win the division and have a nice record not because they are good, but because the other teams are bad, effectively leaving the regular season as inconsequential.

Then tell everyone that this is the view of a realist and is the only way to have an enjoyable fan experience.

Then tell everyone if they don’t subscribe to this thinking, they are a blind optimist, a kneeler, cow toller, conformist, etc in a know it all fashion. And it’s nearly every post.

It is tough to believe you get any enjoyment watching the regular season and your posts seemingly suggest you just want be a buzzkill. You’ve said yourself that you’re tired of reading everyone’s bs and stopped trying to win people over. Why do you continue to subject yourself to it? There can only be one reason.

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canadapacker's picture

October 31, 2020 at 11:41 am

You have to look after your own division first. The Vikes learned that after going 8-0 and ended up 8-8. We just need to beat everycbody twice and that almost always gets us to the big dance. Now even if it is an L in San Fran ( and they are playing better than early in the season) it is a short week and a long flight. So we could have a bunch of excuses to utilize. But first we need to take the Vikes seriously - it doesnt matter whether or not SF is in our heads or not - that is a long ways away and there are 3 other good teams in that division and it is not a foregone conclusion that it will be San Fran could be AZ or Seattle or LA Rams - so put your negative mind at rest.

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Dzehren's picture

October 31, 2020 at 11:53 am

GB needs to stop emerging star Justin Jefferson. Stopping Cook and Jefferson while getting Jamaal Williams going early are the keys to the game.

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PatrickGB's picture

October 31, 2020 at 11:58 am

My guess is that the only people obsessed with looking forward to the Niners game are the fans. Matt and the team is focused on tomorrow.

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Coldworld's picture

October 31, 2020 at 12:44 pm

The exception may be who plays. I think the team will be extra cautious with borderline injuries to key players.

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LayingTheLawe's picture

October 31, 2020 at 05:40 pm

Who on earth thought they were overlooking a hated division rival? A home game against a hated team, no duh they will be ready. Who suggested this was a topic needing to be addressed?

Packers not rushing in Jones or King or Lazard is not overlooking a team it is continuing what the Packers always do with injuries.,

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LeotisHarris's picture

October 31, 2020 at 07:17 pm

You've posed important questions, friend. I don't know who had such thoughts, or who made the suggestion. My hope is, if we pool the vast power of the internet, we may one day find the answers. Then, and only then, we may rest.

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