The Vikings are heading to Green Bay Saturday for their second meeting with the Packers this season. Like the first game, the Packers will be without Aaron Rodgers, Brett Hundley will start in his place. Here are the keys for the Vikings to reach their 12th win for the first time since 2009.
Disguise the Defense
Hundley has started eight games in his career, all of them this season. Minnesota can still take advantage of that inexperience by disguising coverages and blitzes – basically what they have been doing on every third down since Mike Zimmer became the coach. Hundley has looked okay against a decent Bears defense, a great Steelers team (which was going through a weird stretch of close games at the time), and the Browns. As for the other five games, which only included two teams in the playoff race, Hundley posted a one touchdown, eight interceptions, 162.4 yards per game and a rating high of 86.0.
Hundley’s less-than-impressive total QBR of 48.1 is 22nd-best in the NFL. Granted, he has improved since he first stepped on the field as the new starter on October 15th, but it should be noted that he posted his worst QBR (39.6) and threw three interceptions the first time Minnesota played him.
Keep the Green Bay Defense Guessing
Struggling to stop the run or the pass, the Packers rank 26th in yards allowed per game (356.4). Minnesota can capitalize on this by keeping Green Bay guessing on defense. Dom Capers is, yet again, coaching a lackluster defense in Green Bay and the Vikings finally have the offensive fire power to exploit it.
Jerick McKinnon, Latavius Murray, Adam Thielen, Stefon Diggs and Kyle Rudolph are just a few weapons that the Packers will have to try to stop this Saturday. But Michael Floyd, Jarius Wright, Laquon Treadwell and CJ Ham can also make an impact. If everyone is clicking, Green Bay will have no idea who is getting the ball. Plus, the Vikings can keep their starters healthy, leading into the final key to the game.
-
Ep 101: Conference Championship Sunday - Preview, Prop Bets, and Predictions
by Full Press Coverage on January 29, 2023 at 11:25 am
STAY HEALTHY
Green Bay has been mathematically eliminated, meaning second string guys and beyond are going to get some playing time. The Vikings are still going strong with a lot to play for in these final two weeks of the season. In saying that, however, injury to major players would be devastating to this team this late in the year.
A first-round bye and home field advantage are on the line. With the Super Bowl being played in Minnesota this year, the Vikings would have an exponentially improved chance if every playoff game was a home game. But none of this matters if they lose key players to injury. Play hard, get ahead early and mix the back-ups in as much as possible. This game is important, but the health of the team heading into the playoffs is much more crucial at this point in the season.
Prediction
If Minnesota can keep doing what they have been doing and not overlook the Packers then there is no reason they will not come away victorious.
Vikings 31, Packers 10
Looking Ahead
The Vikings are looking like a force to be reckoned with in the superior conference. With so much on the line against two division teams with nothing left to lose, it is hard to focus on being conservative, but that is what the Vikings need to do. They have been fortunate thus far with players stepping up in the place of injured predecessors. But the depth only goes so far and a team can only take so much. The Vikings want home field advantage throughout the playoffs, but they do not want to be heading in with more injuries than they can handle.
- NFL 2022: Football Food For Thought (Wild Card Weekend)
- Giants at Vikings: Playoff Preview and Prediction
- NFL 2022: Five Key Statistics for Wild Card Weekend
- Listing The Best Possible Super Bowl LVII Matchups
- Giants at Vikings: Preview and Prediction
– Adam Pearson is a staff writer for Full Press Coverage Vikings, Follow Adam on Twitter @APwrites3 and stay up to date on the Vikings with @FPC_Vikings
-
Ep 141: Andy Reid, Eagles, And Conference Championship Weekend w/ Joe Bannerby Full Press Coverage on January 27, 2023 at 5:36 pm
Clark and Ira are joined by former Eagles President Joe Banner to talk […]
-
Ep 140: The 49ers/Cowboys Rivalry With Former San Francisco Tight End Brent Jonesby Full Press Coverage on January 19, 2023 at 9:02 pm
Clark and Ira are joined by former 49ers tight end and three time Super […]
-
Ep 137: Hall Of Fame Discussion w/ John Turneyby Full Press Coverage on December 30, 2022 at 5:33 pm
Football historian John Turney of Pro Football Journal joins Clark and Ira […]
-
Ep 136: Remembering The Longest Game Ever Played With Larry Littleby Full Press Coverage on December 24, 2022 at 1:09 am
On the 51-year anniversary of the longest game ever played (Chiefs vs. […]
-
Ep 135: Hall of Fame Semifinalist Jahri Evans Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on December 16, 2022 at 3:51 pm
Former Saints guard and 2023 HOF Semifinalist Jahri Evans joins Clark and […]
-
Ep 134: Remember AFL/NFL Star John Hadl with Nick Canepaby Full Press Coverage on December 8, 2022 at 2:39 pm
Former Hall of Fame voter, Nick Canepa, joins Clark and Ira to discuss the […]
-
Ep 133: Hall Of Fame Semifinalist Henry Ellard Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on November 30, 2022 at 4:28 pm
Former Rams and Redskins wide receiver, Henry Ellard, joins Clark and Ira […]
-
Ep 132: Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2023 Semifinalists w/ Rick Gosselinby Full Press Coverage on November 22, 2022 at 6:15 pm
Clark and Ira are joined by Pro Football Hall of Fame voter Rick Gosselin […]
-
Ep 131: 'Football Heaven' With PFHOF Senior Advisor Joe Horriganby Full Press Coverage on November 17, 2022 at 5:55 pm
Pro Football Hall of Fame Senior Advisor, Joe Horrigan, joins Clark and […]
-
Ep 130: Remembering John McVay With Hall of Famer Eddie DeBartolo Jr.by Full Press Coverage on November 13, 2022 at 1:42 am
Clark and Ira are joined by Hall of Fame owner Eddie DeBartolo Jr. to […]
-
Ep 271: NFL Championship Roundby Full Press Coverage on January 26, 2023 at 1:58 pm
-
Ep 270: NFL Divisional Roundby Full Press Coverage on January 19, 2023 at 1:31 am
-
Ep 269: NFL Playoff Previewby Full Press Coverage on January 12, 2023 at 4:13 am
-
Ep 268: Week 16 Fantasy Rankingsby Full Press Coverage on December 21, 2022 at 9:45 pm
-
Ep.130: Bowling For Talentby Full Press Coverage on January 28, 2023 at 6:00 am
Biggs sits down with Kenneth Berry from the Tangents And Touchdowns […]
-
(Season 3.1) Commanders Roundtable w/ Deuce, DH, and DTby Full Press Coverage on January 27, 2023 at 3:56 am
George Carmi hosts Deuce, DH, and DT as they discuss the latest topics of […]
-
1/27 - Conference Championship Preview: Who is Going To The Super Bowl?by Full Press Coverage on January 27, 2023 at 9:50 am
Ian and John preview Conference Championship Weekend and give their picks […]
-
1/23 - Divisional Round Recap; Chiefs, Bengals, Eagles, and 49ers Advanceby Full Press Coverage on January 23, 2023 at 2:00 pm
Ian and John recap Divisional Round Weekend in the NFL. Learn more about […]
-
1/20 - Buccaneers Fire Byron Leftwich, NFL Divisional Round Previewby Full Press Coverage on January 20, 2023 at 10:19 am
Ian and John discuss the firing of Byron Leftwich and whether or not it […]
-
1/19 - Brady/Gronk Reunion, Aaron Rodgers, NFL News and Notesby Full Press Coverage on January 19, 2023 at 10:14 am
Ian and John discuss the potential of Brady and Ground teaming up in 2023, […]
-
Talkamania Episode 230by Talkamania on September 6, 2022 at 11:43 pm
-
Talkamania Episode 229by Talkamania on August 5, 2022 at 3:37 am
-
Boot 2 The Face Episode 211 "Steel Reserve"by Boot 2 The Face on January 28, 2023 at 6:59 pm
We preview the Royal Rumble and other things in the week of pro wreslting. […]
-
Boot 2 The Face Episode 210 "No Monè, No Monè, No Monè"by Boot 2 The Face on January 19, 2023 at 12:55 am
Rucker and EJ are back discussing Rucker going to Impacts Hard to Kill […]
-
Ep. 85: UMass-Lowell Head Men's Basketball Coach Pat Duquette Interviewby Full Press Coverage on January 30, 2023 at 6:00 am
-
Pelicans at Bucksby Broken Controller Media on January 29, 2023 at 9:00 pm
-
Clippers at Cavsby Broken Controller Media on January 29, 2023 at 6:45 pm
-
Pick & Rollout: Memphis at Tulsaby Broken Controller Media on January 29, 2023 at 6:00 pm
-
Pacers at Grizzliesby Broken Controller Media on January 29, 2023 at 4:30 pm
-
Pick & Rollout: Drake at Belmontby Broken Controller Media on January 29, 2023 at 4:00 pm
-
Heat at Hornetsby Broken Controller Media on January 29, 2023 at 2:30 pm
-
Pick & Rollout: Rutgers at Iowaby Broken Controller Media on January 29, 2023 at 2:00 pm
-
Pick & Rollout: Michigan State at Purdueby Broken Controller Media on January 29, 2023 at 12:00 pm
-
Ep 101: Conference Championship Sunday - Preview, Prop Bets, and Predictionsby Full Press Coverage on January 29, 2023 at 11:25 am
-
1/6 - Damar Hamlin Update, Bills/Bengals, AFC Playoffs, Week 18 Picksby Full Press Coverage on January 6, 2023 at 3:11 pm
-
Winter Classic: Bruins Rally To Beat Penguins At Fenwayby Full Press Coverage on January 4, 2023 at 2:09 am
-
1/3 - Bills/Bengals Postponed; Bruins Topple Penguins In Winter Classicby Full Press Coverage on January 4, 2023 at 2:05 am
-
1/2 - Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Week 17, Bills/Bengalsby Full Press Coverage on January 3, 2023 at 3:22 am
-
12/30 - New Year's Eve, Luka Doncic, NBA Talk, Week 17 Preview and Picksby Full Press Coverage on January 1, 2023 at 2:29 am
-
Aaron Rodgers, Packers Win Third Straight; Playoffs In Sightby Full Press Coverage on December 27, 2022 at 7:36 pm