The Green Bay Packers are back in first place in the NFC North with a tiebreaker edge in their hip pocket. With a stellar defensive performance coupled with the return to form of running back Eddie Lacy the Packers cruised to a 17-point win over their rivals to the west.
The Packers harassed Vikings’ quarterback Teddy Bridgewater all day, sacking him six times and roughing him up on numerous other occasions. But even more impressively, the Packers shut down all-world running back Adrian Peterson, holding him to 45 harmless yards and forcing a fumble. And once again the Packers’ red zone defense was solid. Bridgewater did throw for 296 yards but the Vikings could only muster two touchdowns.
On offense Aaron Rodgers only threw for 212 yards but with Lacy looking like Lacy, the offense was much more balanced. The Packers don’t need 200 rushing yards a game, the solid 124 they got yesterday was enough to keep Vikings honest and allowed Rodgers the time to make enough big plays to get the win. Rodgers completed less than fifty percent of his passes against a defensive scheme that has given him fits every time he has faced it, going back to Mike Zimmer’s days in Cincinnati.
Even special teams contributed a big play with a 70-yard kickoff return by Jeff Janis. Mason Crosby bounced back from his game-losing kick last week to hit five field goals.
An overall team win that was desperately needed with the Bears on deck Thursday and rematch with Detroit the following Thursday. Wins by the Packers in both games will effectively end either team’s division title chances, which only leaves the Vikings, who visit Lambeau on January 3.
I love Victory Mondays!