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Minnesota quarterback Sam Darnold, right, is brought down by Rashan Gary of the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter of a September game at Lambeau Field.Photograph: Stacy Revere/Getty Images
Game of the week
Green Bay Packers (11-4) v Minnesota Vikings (13-2)
The scheduling gods have flexed their muscles and pushed another potential warm-up for the postseason into the choice late-afternoon slot. We have a late festive feast in Green Bay heading to Minnesota, in favor of a damp squib between Philadelphia and Dallas, for what could turn out to be the NFC Championship Game. The Packers are fresh from locking their playoff place with a thrashing of the Saints while the Vikings are gunning for an incredible ninth win in succession. Unfortunately for Matt LaFleur’s team they cannot reach any higher than third in the NFC North as the Lions also sit on 13-2, but this presents a perfect chance to practice playing on the road against a high-caliber rival. Minnesota meanwhile are neck and neck with Detroit for the No 1 seed and will be aiming for a crucial victory – ane that could set up a shoot-out for the first-round bye next week against the Lions.
Related: Surging Chiefs clinch AFC’s top seed as Beyoncé highlights Netflix’s NFL debut
What the Packers need to do to win: Green Bay’s offensive line has to win in the trenches to keep Josh Jacobs rumbling. After a slow start to the season, the running back has grown into a key pillar of the attack with 12 touchdowns in his past 10 games. But it will need to come from the big men dominating as Jacobs alone will not be able to overcome a Vikings defense that has given up only seven rushing touchdowns all season – the fewest in the NFL – and the second-fewest total yards at 1,306. Fortunately his linemen should be pumped up to keep lanes open after Jacobs, fourth in the NFL in total rushing yards with 1,216, gave them all custom diamond chains for Christmas. One good turn deserves another.
What the Vikings…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl-playoff-race-vikings-host-090004860.html
Author : The Guardian
Publish date : 2024-12-27 09:00:00
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