Playoffs here we come

The last time I can remember a game of this magnitude at Mall of America Field I go back to the 2009 season when the Dallas Cowboys came in for a playoff game. It was so unbelievably loud in there you could not here yourself think. The Vikings did not disappoint and demolished the Cowboys.

The Packers now come in as the hated rival for the biggest game of the year. I fully expect maybe the loudest crowd ever. I would be disappointed with anything but this. I want it so loud you cannot talk to the next person to you. I want it so you have to read lips because you simply cannot hear. I would be ok if the only time you can talk to someone is at the half.

The game a few weeks ago ended in a painful loss to the Packers in a game most Vikings fans thought was winnable. Adrian runs for 210 but Ponder has 2 painful interceptions.
I believe both teams are better since that day and both teams will have guys back on the defensive side of the ball that were not there back a few weeks ago. The Packers will have most players back including Clay Mathews who has 12 sacks for the year. This time the Vikings will have cornerback Chris Cook back. The Packers’ Charles Woodson has been ruled out.

This article I will stay away from stats rather thoughts on what needs to happen to get the Vikings a W and move on.

I would like to start with the opening coin toss. I would like to see the Vikings if they win defer to the second half. I want the crowd into the game right out of the gate with the Packers on offense. Let’s get this stadium rocking.

Packers quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, as much as I dislike the Packers have to admit this guy is deadly accurate. He has the ability to beat the blitz with his quick release.

The last time these 2 teams faced each other the Packers running game worked very well for them which helped Rodgers and the passing offense. They seem to run by committee so the Vikings defense needs to be prepared for the different running styles they will see.

The last week in Houston the Vikings run defense was as good as I have seen all year. They really put the clamp down on Arian Foster and Ben Tate. The exciting of this is it was done on the road.

The Packers come in to a hostile environment and will face a team who the last 3 weeks is tackling much better. I believe the Vikings defense comes to play and makes Green Bay one dimensional. The Vikings team speed is showing in the last few weeks.

The biggest key is getting ahead of the Packers on the scoreboard. The Vikings have done that the last couple of weeks. This will help making Green Bay one dimensional.
Rodgers still is a threat even being one dimensional. The Vikings have had very good luck in sacking Rodgers at home. My feeling is the Packers will have Rodgers rolling out of the pocket. The key here and it is a major key is the Vikings defensive backs getting physical and hitting them in the 5 yard area. The Packers are such a rhythm team so if we can hit these guys and knock them around could be a major difference. This is the first time since 2009 we actually have guys in the secondary who are healthy.

Houston is a very good screen passing team with Arian Foster coming out of the backfield for the pass. I thought the Vikings did a tremendous job of shutting it down. The Packers I believe are the best pass screening team in the NFC. The Vikings linebackers need to play in control and do not get caught up field. This is another case where veteran Chad Greenway who also got snubbed will get a chance to show America just what kind of player he is.

I believe the crowd noise, the pass rush and hitting both Packers receivers and potential screen recipients will give the advantage to the Vikings.

One thing I will look for is to see how long the Packers go with some of their players if the Vikings can get physical. The Packers are in the playoffs already so do they want to risk guys who can help them in the playoffs?

I am convinced the crowd noise will be a major reason in why the Vikings will win. The Vikings will get the 6th seed and Packers most likely 3rd seed meaning the next week a rematch in Lambeau Field.

The Vikings offense will be facing a healthier Packers defense lead by Clay Mathews. Peterson did get his 210 without Mathews in the game. I believe the difference will be the Vikings offensive line. On Wednesday Pro Bowl announcements were made snubbing 2 of the Vikings offensive linemen. If ever there was an incentive with not only playing your chief rival but getting snubbed this would be a great chance to get frustration out and knock the heck out of the Packers defensive line. I am looking for Peterson to get the 2000 mark but I feel even stronger that Eric Dickerson’s record will crumble. An angry Vikings offensive line will do some road grading this weekend.

The play of Ponder in game in Lambeau I believe was a wakeup call knowing he threw 2 terrible passes. I would not be surprised if the Packers took chances trying to intercept but to no avail. If we can get another Houston type game out of Ponder, playoffs here we come.

The fact that Clay Mathews is quick at the outside rush should me it fun to see Peterson on a draw go up the gut and Vikings play by play caller Paul Allen can once again call out “Adrian’s loose.” There is nothing better to watch a team who gets around the edge quickly only to see a team hand off. Mathews strength is definitely pass rush so we will see how he along with his Packers defensive mates attempts to tackle a wild bull coming out of the pen.

On the line a trip to the playoffs with a win and would like to see AP get the 2000 mark for sure and for good measure give him the new NFL record. All this in front of the crazies at home against the disliked cheese heads from Wisconsin.

It will be a day never to forget in Vikings history. The year of biggest improvement capped off by a trip to the playoffs.

I am fired up, how about you?

Thanks for reading
Purplestick