The Green Bay Packers are playing for pride after being eliminated from the playoff hunt last weekend. I have a hunch they will rise to the occasion. It was an emotional week as many players have never not gone to the playoffs. I think it will light a little fire under them. Even though they won’t admit it, they would like nothing more than to beat the Vikings and keep them out of the top seed in the NFC.
It is going to be a bitter cold night Saturday, the likes of which neither Packers’ quarterback Brett Hundley or Vikings quarterback Case Keenum have never faced. If you are into sports betting, you probably saw how the Packers went from pick ’em to nine point underdogs with the Aaron Rodgers to injured reserve move. I think the Packers have a chance.
The Packers haven’t been the greatest cold weather team the last few years. Maybe even the last ten years, going back to the NFC Championship game following the 2007 season. It was even colder that day. I was there and the Packers were overmatched from the start. The Giants weren’t affected by the cold one bit. But one difference is the Giants are an outdoor team. The Vikings are not. The Vikings haven’t played a cold weather game all year and four of their last five have been played indoors. The exception was two weeks ago in Charlotte.
I think the Packers are not going to lay down. I think they are going to play with a chip on their shoulders. Without Rodgers and Davante Adams, they are going to struggle to move the ball on the Vikings’ defense. Jamaal Williams and Aaron Jones can hopefully find some holes and Hundley can keep completing the 5-yard passes.
On defense, I think it is painfully obvious that Dom Capers will be relieved of his duties after the season. Maybe the players, who usually have nothing but praise for Capers, will rise up and play one good game for him.
Just a hunch, but I’m saying the Packers sneak it out in the end. 19-16 Pack.