Monday Night Preview Vikes vs. Packers

[bleedingpurple]

Going to Lambeau on Sunday so I will post now.

How can anyone cap this game with so many unknowns? How is Rogers going to look? Is the Viking's pass defense significantly better with Allen?

The Packers will not come into this game running an I formation. McCarthy knows how to beat the Vikes and that is to spread the defense with 3 to 4 wides and play a quick hitting passing game. The Packers have been very adequate in the past moving the ball up and down the field dumping the balll to tight ends and running backs then hitting the Vikes deep down field the past 2 seasons. That was with Favre but I do believe Rodgers to be adequate. The Vikings have terrible pass covering linebackers and d - backs as well. Their only hope is to have a solid pass rush and prey that youngsters such as Greenway, Griffin, and McCaulley show major improvement in pass defense. Also the Vikes will be playing a rookie at FS Tyrell Johnson. (Ugh)

On the other side of the ball the Vikes have probably the two best rb tandem in football. Enough said, but they usually don't run well in Lambeau and the Pack can stop the run although they seem to be hurting a little at defensive tackle, but the Packers can cheat a safety to play run almost all game because of their cover corners in Harris and Woodson and also because of the Vikings WRs and lack of a threat at tight end. Berrian and Rice (watch out). The Vikes are going to need Tavarias Jackson to be able to complete passes down field. The kid has a great arm but decision making and accuracy have been a problem. He only played 2 quarters in the pre season. The Vikes offensive line is vastly Over Rated. McKinney is out. Hutchinson is good. Birk has lost a step and Herrera and Cook need to vastly improve.

Coaching edge has to go to the Pack. Childress is conservative and appears lost at times.

The Pack have most of the intangibles playing at home and many believe the Vikes are going to win the division, but Monday night as much as I hate to say it, I have the Pack winning 27 - 17. Able to stop the run and their quarterback is better than ours. :scared :scared

 

[bleedingpurple]

I am so nervous right now about this game that my guts may fall out. Yuk... GO VIKES

 

[vinnie]

are u still at Lambeau :shrug:

yyz will be there after he pays the cable bill :SIB

 

[Lightning]

AGREE ... very tough game to cap. Tavaris Jackson is awful which is probably why Childress looks lost at time. They have no passing game that you have to respect at all which allows defenses to concentrate solely on the run. AP is a total stud but no one can consistently run again 8-9 guys in the box in the NFL and the Packers have a pretty good defense. Berrian is an upgrade at WR but any good coordinator is going to stack the box and force Jackson to beat them.

Not sure what to expect out of Rodgers tonight. I think if he gets off to a good start, he may play reasonably well as he is better than people give him credit but if he struggles early against a good Viking defense and his confidence drops or the crowd turns on him, I think he could fold under the pressure.

I am leaning to teasing both dogs and taking the Vikings (+8.5) and the Raiders (+9) because I expect both games to be close and an outright win by either dog would not shock me.

Good Luck!

:com:

 

[gardenweasel]

i`m missing something here....what makes aaron rodgers better than anybody at this point in time?....

what exactly has the guy proven leading into this ballgame?...

at least jasckson has some experience as a starting qb and a fantasitc ground game....

:shrug:

 

[gardenweasel]

i`m not arguing....just asking...i`m trying to rationalize taking the home team...

 

[bleedingpurple]

I couldn't reply last night but... I have seen Rodgers play a lot in the last two years in preseason, even though it is just pre-season he just never forced the ball like he did as a rookie...

Now I want to reflect on last night's game... Viking fans are already being too hard on Jackson about the game last night. I thought he was OK. Remember he only played 2 quarters all pre-season and missed the final two pre-season games. He was rusty in the first half and coach Childress was so damn conservative early. The second half he was good until his final throw.. He was under constant pressure. How many hits did he take?? The running game was non existent in the second half and the wide outs are a joke. Also it kills me to say this but Green Bay is a damn good football team with or without Favre. Rodgers will be OK in this system ....

The Vikes gave up 3 BIG plays. A deep ball to Jennings, A long run by Grant, and a punt return. Now on the flip side the Vikes had chances at big plays .. Sharper could have recovered a first quarter fumble had he jumped on the ball instead of trying to run with it... The Vikings sacked Rodgers at the 11 yard line to make it 3rd and goal but someone made a penalty... And the Vikes hit Berrian on a slant and just got tripped up enough to not go the distance.... Then of course the INT at the end of the game.. Just like I said the Pack have all the intangibles at home and I think the VIkes will get them at home this year..

Now for the REFS.. WTF were they doing last night? Bad for both sides,. They called so many chincy calls and missed some blatant ones. The pack blantantly interfered with the Vikes twice I mean BLATANT and then they call the Pack for a ticky tack interference.

How many times did they call the pack for holding. The one with 2:29 to go was obvious but the others I don't know. How about the TD called back was that lineman really 5 yards down field? Didn't see any replay but that is hard to believe that he would be down that far downfield on that quick of a pass play.

So all in all I think the Vikes will be OK and watch for my preview vs. the Colts. Hint: I think the Colts are in big trouble.

 

[gardenweasel]

i thought rodgers looked pretty damned good considering.....

i thought he might fold under the pressure of favre`s shadow,but i have to admit,the guy looked pretty proficient......

hope in green bay?.....could be...