gb/minn

[casper]

this game troubles me. gb is coming off a big win vs the champs and minn squeaks by det, although giving up trash scores pretty much after being up big. if gb is serious about themselves they must win this game. culpepper has almost half of their rushing yards, and rushed for 85 last week. will gb give up this kind of yardage to him this week, i don't think so. their D is quick and has performed very well, recording 21 sacks and limiting the first 4 games to scores of 6,0,7 and 14,although none of those teams are considered offensive powerhouses (det,car,wash,tb respectively). But how powerful is this minn offense anyway?? last week balt only scored 10 against gb, and when the score was 31-10 balt scored some late td's. gb is going to force minn into a one-dimensional passing offense, and this will cause many troubles for culpepper, i see at least 2 picks in his future. they have been playing alot of one-sided ball anyway, passing 180 times and running 113 times. gb has a bye week next week, while minn has to look forward to going to tampa bay. gb would love nothing more than to go into the bye week haven just beaten the champs and minn at minn. gb will just outplay them on both sides of the ball. ok ok, i know this is a divisional game, and gb doesn't play well on turf, and i'm thinking about playing a road divisional fav, this may be a sucker line. i might be a sucker this weekend cuz i see gb winning by 2 td's. yyz and all you cheese-heads, what are your thoughts??

also lookin at pitt+, balt-, cinc-, and det+...what are your thoughts fellas??

 

[SmashMouth]

I like the Vikings. Gut feeling. I wouldn't bet it with your money though so good luck. Tell me if you like any of my games.

 

[yyz]

I hate this game.

Favre always trys too hard in that stinking place. He gets the team close, then fks up!

Culpepper will rush for 2 tds in this game. Packers have a great defense, but it seems qb's who think on their feet, always get by on great defenses.....they fluster them. So, when you think you have them, POOF! You don't!

I look for Green to run like a madman. (I looked for a lot of running in the Badger game, too! Ouch!)

The Vikings will be geared up for this game. Packers may be a little uptight. There is no way they want to sit home on their bye week after losing to Minnesota. That won't sit well.

I may be on the over in this game, but have not decided yet. I cannot recomend a side with the line GB -3

 

[Desert Scrub]

I think you have a good beat on this game yyz, probably a Packer fan eh? Being a diehard Viking fan myself I know how crazy these games can get. I think GB-3 is the right line but it wouldn't surprise me to see either team win by 14. Personally on tomorrow's game I see tons of points and a field goal win by...( toss a coin). I totally disagree with those people who are saying the Packers are the easiest cover of the week, I don't think they understand this rivalry. I have been down on the Vikes this year too but if the offense is clicking they could win this easily. Personally,I'm laying off the side in this game but I sure think that the OVER is worth a hard look. The Vikes are in an almost must win situation if they want a realistic shot at the division so Denny should have the boys ready to go. If they lay an egg here it might be the season.

Scrub

 

[NJO]

this game sets up as a huge bad spot for the Packers, as they have been patted on the back all week about how great they were to make the Ravens D look so bad, ESPN has been in GB hanging out with and interviewing Favre, etc.

a Minny loss likely buries them, as well, so I imagine there will be real urgency on the Vike sideline.

if focused, I think GB rolls here, but I just don't know if that focus will be there.

I'm not going to trust GB -- I'll stay away.

 

[pepin46]

this is probably a game to stay away from, but just for the heck of it, i do agree the vikes will be more up for this one than g.b., who may yet not be over their ecstasy.

i do lean more on the under for this game, expecting them both to play a fairly conservative game. halftime score: 17-14 minny.

pep

 

[yyz]

pep,

If you think that will be the half-time score, you should pound the 1st half over!

 

[lostinamerica]

I'll be brief.

I am all about the Packers by at least a couple of bushels more than I am handicapping.

Do you believe the Packers are poised to head into their bye week by pissing down their leg the momentum and advantage they have gained so far this season? Do you believe the Packers are not an exceptional team and have been playing over their head in winning 8 of their last 9 SU and against the number? Do you usually look back at a spot like today and see where a team like the Packers stubbed their toe?

I hear the Vikings have shuffled their defensive line. Does that sound like the ticket to a juiced, explosive and ball hawking performance by the Vikings? I would say opportunistic to a degree is the best you can hope for from that bunch right now.

The solid nucleus of some very fine teams are still a big part of this Packer team, and for months they have had a sure sense of what was under way in Green Bay this season. I don't think some recognition and adulation is going to burst their balloon. The most revealing comment to me after the Raven's game was from William Henderson, when asked if he could have imagined scoring that many points against the great Baltimore defense, and his simple reply was, "I could have imagined scoring a lot more points than that."

The Packers came out of the Bucs/Ravens stretch strong and getting healthy. Because of the emphasis it will have received during the week (and with the Vikings as the opponent), the return and coverage units on special teams should even be presented with some opportunities.

I will limit an analysis of personnel to the offensive line before wrapping things up. This is the best offensive line Favre has ever had. Period. They have been getting it done during the course of two seasons. The stats on third and a yard are just one demonstration of the point. If they are not the best offensive line in football, then they are just the best young offensive line. Last week, when Clifton's status was doubtful, I expected he would play and play well. When I heard Saturday night he would not play, I expected Barry Stokes or others would get the help they needed to play well (I am glad Clifton played!). Now while the receiving corps is deep, it obviously does not merit the same accolades, but in the same vein, I expect the receivers to rally around any absence of Schroeder, who is almost certain to be hobbled but will probably be given a chance to perform.

You should always take a look at going against the Packers anywhere on artificial turf. The Metrodome has been a disgusting House of Horrors several times too often. On the other hand, Sherman is 2-0 against the Vikings, and the Packers are 3-1 against their rivals since the 1999 draft focused on defensive backs able and eager to challenge the Vikings attack. Favre is showing that there is nothing he is not capable of delivering this seaeson, and I will be greatly disappointed if Brett does not set a strong example in valuing the football today (including making and capitalizing on defensive opportunities) for the game to stay in order through the first half and till the end. And that will mean only one thing.

The Packers are significantly bettter than the Vikings on both sides of the ball. Coming off a significant victory, this game is squarely about intangibles, and with this Packer team, leadership, chemistry and focus come first to mind.

I am certainly nervous about any game at the Metrodome, and this is not a Best Bet like the games against Detroit and Washington were. But I belive this game is of the caliber of the Ravens game and there is good value in multiple units.

 

[Desert Scrub]

Favre's track record in Minny isn't exactly stellar, something like 2-7. As far as being significantly better on both sides of the ball I'm not so sure. Minny's offense can hang with any, it's on the defensive side that the Pack has the advantage. I'm curious to see which Favre shows up and that might be the game's decider. Just my humble opinion.

 

[yyz]

2-7 is corect, but the 2 wins were the last 2 games.......