G.o.t.W

Talk about a heavy hitting matchup this week! I feel like most of the games I’ve been writing about this week have been games where both teams are either out of contention, or it’s generally one-sided. But this game, this game should produce some sparks. My Game of the Week call, (going to start that from now on), is between two playoff teams who are both 100% in the playoffs and are from the same division. Remember when Ryan Poles, Bears GM, said “we’re going to take the North and never give it back,” after drafting Caleb Williams? Well, three teams from the NFC North will be going to the playoffs. The one that is already eliminated, is the Bears. Speak softly but carry a big stick. Anyways, the Packers got a Wild Card spot, but the Vikings and Lions are tied up in first, and I’m sure the Vikings would like to win their division against their dominant rivals. Seriously, this division is on steroids.

The Packers have been so good in the latter half of the season, it’s been kind of scary. Jordan Love is dominant. In his last five games, he’s thrown for 1,000+ yards, 8 TDs and 0 INTs. Add Josh Jacob’s phenomenal year to this production, who’s had 9 TDs in his last five games, and this team is unstoppable. Green Bay has also won five of their last six games. And in their last eleven, they have won nine. The only two losses came to the Lions in that stretch. They just pitched the only shutout all season to the New Orleans Saints last week, so their defense has been improving. They’ve only let up 13 points in the last two weeks. Minnesota may be favored here, but I think the Packers are too hot to handle right now and are going to have more of their way this week.

The Vikings are still very interesting to me. I’m not taking anything away from their success, they’re 13-2. One of the top teams in the league. There is just always a question of sustainability when you’re not proven. They can win in the regular season that’s for sure, and we have a regular season matchup this week, but I wonder how things will play out come playoff time. The Vikings are quite literally dead in the middle for total offense and defense, but they know how to win games. I’ve said it before, stats don’t win games, players do. And they’re on an eight-game win streak, playing at home this week where they’re 7-1, I believe in Green Bay this week.

POSTGAME:

The Vikings are as real as the air we breathe. They are legit. Sam Darnold is legit. I don’t know how it all came together, considering Darnold was supposed to be just a bridge QB, but now everything is on the table in a good way. Darnold is playing lights out and had one of his best and most clutch games of the season. Possibly, of his career. Against a heavy-hitting Packers team, he put up 377 yards, 3 TDs, and 1 INT, throwing 33/43. In his last five games, he has 1,436 yards, 12 TDs, and 2 INTs. He is 4th in the league in TDs with 35 and is 3rd in the league in total yards with 4,153 yards. Forget Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, or Aaron Jones. Sam Darnold makes this team spin now. And for the Packers, they were almost able to mount a comeback after being stifled for generally the entire first half. I’m not worried at all, losses happen, they help improve your team by showing you your weaknesses. They’re already in it for a wild card spot too.