Is there a better week for Vikings fans than Packer week? The smack talk that occurs is so fun to listen to. I know people that care about only 2 games all year and that is the Vikings vs. Packers games.
This is the first time in the history of these 2 teams that they will meet in December and they have met 102 times. The Packers lead the series 53-48-1 and also lead in Lambeau with a 28-23-1 record. The Packers unfortunately for Vikings fans are on a 4 games winning streak in the series. That’s right the last time Minnesota beat Green Bay was in 2009 and not only beat them, but swept them.
These 2 teams home records rank very high in the NFL since the 1970 NFL merger the Vikings are third 220-112-1 at home and the Packers are ranked 6th with a 205-120-5 record.
Let’s look at some numbers of some of this week’s participants and we will start with Adrian Peterson. He has 1619 carries for the purple and is second in team history to Bill Brown who had 1627 in his career. This record should be held easily Sunday against the Packers.
Peterson’s amazing 1236 rushing yards is more than 18 NFL teams as a total. He also is on a 5 games streak of 100 yards rushing which ties Robert Smith. The 1000 yards he has already eclipsed for the season makes it 5 seasons of 1000 yards which is a team record.
He also holds the record with 4 of the 5 top rushing yards by a Vikings player.
Adrian Peterson (2008) 1760 yards
Robert Smith (2000) 1521 yards
Adrian Peterson (2009) 1383 yards
Adrian Peterson (2007) 1341 yards
Adrian Peterson (2010) 1298 yards
Peterson has rushed for a career total of 7988 yards putting him 12 yards of the 8000 mark which will be broken Sunday and hopefully on his first rush.
On the defensive side of the ball Chad Greenway is tied for the NFL lead since 2007 with 10 fumble recoveries.
Kevin Williams will start his 152nd game which puts him 5 behind Alan Page’s record of 157 at defensive tackle.
The special teams have allowed 11 kickoff returns of 20 plus yards which is the fewest in the NFL. Blair Walsh has 94 points for the season which puts him 2nd behind Randy Moss rookie scoring record of 106. This record should crumble very soon.
The teams themselves have the Vikings averaging 22.5 on offense while the Packers are scoring at a clip of 24.8.
The Packers offensive line has given up the 2nd most sacks in the NFL by allowing 37. Green Bay has 12 team interceptions while the Vikings have just 6. The Packers also have 34 team sacks while the Purple have 27.
The Vikings are tied for 8th with the toughest schedule facing teams this season that in 2011 had a .512 winning percent. The Packers have the 31st toughest schedule facing teams that had a .469 percent.
Per NFL through week 12 in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area that have their TV’s on Sunday show 63 percent watching the Vikings which is 5th best in the NFL.
The game is still a few days away but I already feel the excitement in the air.
Thanks for reading
Purplestick
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