The game Vikings-Packers fans look forward to each year is just around the corner. The trash talking by the two team’s fans is heating up. If I did not have season tickets and could go to only one game in the year it would be the Packers game. Yes, it is in Lambeau this time so I can only speculate what it would be like to be there. A football wish of mine that I would like to do before I get to old and that would be attend a Vikings-Packers game in Lambeau.
The amount of people I have talked to this week that care about this Vikings games and only games against Green Bay is unreal. The work atmosphere is crazy as I work with a great amount of Packers fans. The side bets of pop or coffee is all part of the fun. The next day at work every year is something to hear. The last four meetings of these two teams has not left much for Vikings fans to talk about. I can only hope this Monday we will be talking about a Vikings victory.
I remember last year walking into a local grocery store and seeing boxes each of Vikings and Packers cupcakes. I of course put the Vikings one on top of the Packers in hopes people would not see the enemy cupcakes. Yes, I can admit immaturity with this but hey it’s fun doing what I can to promote my team.
This game is so big that Fox number one broadcast team of Joe Buck and Troy Aikman will do the play by play. Las Vegas has the Green Bay Packers favored by 8.
In looking at the past games in Green Bay, who can ever forget the 1998 game in Lambeau on Monday night football? Vikings rookie wide receiver Randy Moss catches 5 balls from Randall Cunningham for 190 yards including 2 long touchdowns.
The other end of the spectrum was about as big as disappointment as I have lived. The year was 2000 and the Vikings were 7-1 and the Packers were 3-5. The incredible catch by Antonio Freeman in overtime on Monday night football sent me to bed in shock. In 2005 ESPN named that catch the greatest catch on Monday night football.
The return of Brett Favre to Lambeau helping his new team the Vikings beat the Packers. Players switching uniforms with Ryan Longwell and Darren Sharper going from the Pack to the Vikings has been just some of the headlines each year.
The two team’s fans just do not get cheated for their money. It is a game like no other, so much to talk about even though we the fans cannot make our respective teams win or lose. Yes, we cheer and yell until our voices are gone but it still does not put 7 points on the board.
The Vikings in the 2012 in game one against Green Bay have their work cut out but I firmly believe it can be done. One of the major changes that need to happen is when the Packers have 3rd down the Vikings have to stop. The Bears last week converted 58 percent of the third down conversions.
The Packers are converting 42 percent of their third down which ranks them 8th in the NFL. Aaron Rodgers is an incredible quarterback and when he gets into a rhythm teams are in trouble. My hope with the struggling Packers offensive line is the Vikings D-Line can disrupt the timing routs. Rodgers has thrown a touchdown in 35 straights games at home.
The receiving corps is one of the best in the NFL. The news of Greg Jennings possible return is not good. He has a touchdown against Minnesota in 5 straight games. The play of Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb is scary. Cobb had 1 touchdown in 2011 and in 2012 already has 7.
The Packers are tough on the run only allowing one 100 yard rusher this season. The good news is Adrian Peterson who has 5 100 yard games against the Packers in his career. Adrian has also scored a touchdown in 4 straight games against the Packer. I like our chances of having a big game for Adrian.
The Bears are trying to separate from the rest of the NFC North so it is essential the Purple gets a win in Lambeau. A loss does not mean the season is over but it sure will get hard to get back into title contention.
Noon on Sunday is not that far away and then all the pregame talk will come to a halt. A coin toss, a kickoff and away we go. I cannot speak for you, but I for one cannot wait for the 2012 border battle. Have fun watching it cheer so loud the yelling goes through the TV.
Come on Vikings fans lets watch the Vikes send the Packers fans home sad and left wondering what just happened.
Vikings 31 Packers 17
Thanks for reading
Purplestick
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