Daily Norseman - 2015 NFL Week 17: Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay PackersThe Purple and Gold Standardhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48653/dailynorseman_fave.png2016-01-06T13:03:19-06:00http://www.dailynorseman.com/rss/stream/104468332016-01-06T13:03:19-06:002016-01-06T13:03:19-06:00Griffen Named NFC Defensive Player of the Week
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<p>One of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/">Minnesota Vikings</a>' top defensive players saved what may have been his best performance for the final game of the regular season, and now he's being recognized for it.</p>
<p>Defensive end <span>Everson Griffen</span> has been named the NFC's Defensive Player of the Week for Week 17 of NFL action.</p>
<p>Griffen absolutely embarrassed <span>Josh Sitton</span> on Sunday night after Green Bay moved Sitton to left tackle to cover for the injured David Bakhtiari. He was in <span>Aaron Rodgers</span>' face all night, collecting five quarterback hurries, two quarterback hits, and two quarterback sacks. One of those sacks came on the deciding play of the game, where he forced Rodgers to fumble and the ball bounced to cornerback <span>Captain Munnerlyn</span>, who alertly jumped on it and took it back 55 yards for what proved to be the winning score.</p>
<p>Even though Griffen was named the NFC Defensive Player of the Month in October of 2014, this is his first Defensive Player of the <i>Week</i> Award. He is the third member of the Vikings to win the award this season. . .defensive tackle <span>Linval Joseph</span> won the award in Week 9 against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/st-louis-rams">St. Louis Rams</a>, while cornerback <span>Terence Newman</span> collected the award in Week 10 against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/oakland-raiders">Oakland Raiders</a>.</p>
<p>Congratulations to Everson Griffen on being named the NFC Defensive Player of the Week for the last week of the regular season.</p>
https://www.dailynorseman.com/2016/1/6/10724540/everson-griffen-named-nfc-defensive-player-of-the-weekChristopher Gates2016-01-04T10:00:42-06:002016-01-04T10:00:42-06:00How to get rid of something annoying and green.<img src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ujLgHbjawRhN-BIj62fHAB5Ma8Q=/410x410/cdn.vox-cdn.com/fan_shot_images/408621/rn7CMBS.gif" />
<div class="source source-img"><p><p>Sorry. I had to.</p></p></div>
https://www.dailynorseman.com/2016/1/4/10708192/how-to-get-rid-of-something-annoying-and-greenEric Thompson2016-01-04T02:20:24-06:002016-01-04T02:20:24-06:00Stock Market Report: Vikings at Packers
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<figcaption>That's right, coach. You are #1. | Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>How the North was won.</p> <p>Your <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/">Minnesota Vikings</a> are the 2015 NFC North Champions. AND IT WAS NEVER IN DOUBT!</p>
<p>OK maybe a little bit in doubt. Like "took ten years off my life and I'm still kind of shaking as I write this" in doubt.</p>
<p>In a way this final game at Lambeau was a perfect microcosm of the 2015 Minnesota Vikings season. The offense would look efficient and dangerous for spurts but then disappear for stretches thanks to poor blocking and inconsistent quarterback play. The defense was the backbone of the team and capitalized on their opportunities. And just when things started looking bleak and you thought it was going to be "the same old Vikings" all over again, they rallied and came away victorious.</p>
<p>Like the rest of the season, it wasn't always pretty. But in the end, the Vikings persevered and won the NFC North.</p>
<p>And that's a really nice thing. Now this really big team gets a home playoff game comin' with no road trip strings to start a quest for some really big rings.</p>
<p>What a time to be alive.</p>
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<p><i>Cause I got a really big team<br>And they need some really big rings<br>They need some really nice things<br>Better be comin' with no strings<br>Better be comin' with no strings<br>We need some really nice things<br>We need some really big rings<br>I got a really big team</i></p>
<p><i>Man what a time to be alive<br>You and yours vs. me and mine<br>Are we talkin' teams? Are we talkin' teams?<br>Oh you switchin' sides? Wanna come with me?</i></p>
<p>Onto the <b>NFC NORTH CHAMPION</b> stocks!</p>
<h4>Blue Chip Stocks</h4>
<p><b><span>Everson Griffen</span>.</b> Griff was an absolute beast tonight. He was always causing trouble and drawing lots of attention. (And getting held by <span>Josh Sitton</span> on every other play, but I digress.) Griffen racked up six total tackles, two sacks, and was also the catalyst for the game's biggest play, an <span>Aaron Rodgers</span> fumble returned for a touchdown by <span>Captain Munnerlyn</span>.</p>
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<p>On a defense full of players that shined bright on Sunday night, Griffen's star outshone them all.</p>
<p><b>Xaiver Rhodes.</b> Rhodes certainly has a penchant for finishing off seasons in style. After an amazing finish to the 2014 campaign, Rhodes has been up and down for most of this season. On Sunday, the Rhodes were definitely closed. He defended a lot of potential big plays and chose an excellent time for his second career interception.</p>
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<p><b><span>Eric Kendricks</span>.</b> I lost count of how many important open field tackles Kendricks made tonight. Every time the Vikings defense made a big stop it seemed like #54 was right in the middle of it. The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/">Packers</a> would have had several more first downs if it wasn't for the rookie's sound fundamentals. Thank you, UCLA football, for churning out such amazing linebackers. The future is bright with Kendricks and <span>Anthony Barr</span> flying all over the field.</p>
<p><b>Mike Zimmer.</b> Throughout the season, Zim has probably been the most important Blue Chipper of them all. In just two seasons he has completely changed the culture in Minnesota. The Vikings head coach has instilled a mindset and will that the Vikings haven't possessed in decades. His tough-love, no-nonsense approach to mixing in savvy, dependable veterans with a bevy of young, impressionable talent has been a master class of how to build a team for both the present and the future. This team has been checking off tasks that haven't been completed in years. Winning on the road. Winning at Chicago. Winning when everything wasn't clicking. Winning with defense. Winning in prime time. And on Sunday night, Zimmer and his troops went into the home state of <i>Making A Murderer</i> and murdered the ruling NFC North dynasty in their own backyard. Thank you, Coach Zimmer. The Vikings wouldn't be here without you.</p>
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<div class="pullquote">ON SUNDAY NIGHT, ZIMMER AND HIS TROOPS WENT INTO THE HOME STATE OF <i>MAKING A MURDERER</i> AND MURDERED THE RULING NFC NORTH DYNASTY IN THEIR OWN BACKYARD.</div>
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<h4>Solid Investments</h4>
<p><b><span>Adam Thielen</span>.</b> <span>Adrian Peterson</span> won the third rushing title of his career on Sunday night but he had to settle for a tie in the game rushing title. Both AP and Thielen finished with 67 yards rushing and Thielen only needed two attempts to do so. Thielen also chipped in with a 16 yard reception. The 2014 Mr. Mankato is a Swiss Army Knife that the Vikings can use all over the offense and special teams.</p>
<p><b><span>Blair Walsh</span>.</b> Walsh didn't miss any of his four kicks and blasted most of his kickoffs for touchbacks. After an incredibly shaky start to the season Walsh has seemed to settle back into his more familiar role of being incredibly reliable. (And if he misses a kick in the postseason, don't yell at me for jinxing him.)</p>
<p><b><span>Harrison Smith</span>.</b> The non-Pro Bowler put in another Pro Bowl performance, picking up half a sack and playing his usual role of do-everything stopper for the Vikings defense. Smith is the glue that holds the back end of the D together.</p>
<p><b><span>Jerick McKinnon</span>.</b> Jet was the team's leading receiver (albeit with only 3 receptions and 33 yards) and provided an important spark when Peterson went out with a lower back injury. Seattle better see a lot of #31 in the playoffs because he makes the offense much more dynamic every time he's out there.</p>
<p><b><span>T.J. Clemmings</span>.</b> You know who we didn't hear a lot from this evening? The Vikings rookie right tackle. You know why? Because he had a pretty damn good game. I have included Clemmings in the Stock Market Report several times this season but usually for all the wrong reasons. Outside of a missed block on a toss play I didn't notice any glaring slip-ups from Clemmings.</p>
<p>And any time you go full Liu Kang on <span>Clay Matthews</span>, that makes you a solid investment.</p>
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<h4>Junk Bonds</h4>
<p><b><span>Cordarrelle Patterson</span>.</b> CP has exactly one job on this team: return kickoffs. That shouldn't be hard for a first round pick with a ton of athleticism. Right?</p>
<p>Wrong.</p>
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<p>So he made a mistake. A very costly, careless mistake, but it's not like he was trying to sabotage a chance at putting the game away. Maybe Mason Crosby was just in his head after drawing a dumb penalty on Patterson the last time these two teams played.</p>
<p>What irks me the most is that every time the NBC cameras cut to Patterson after the fumble he was smiling and joking around. I'm not saying he needs to sit on the bench and pout the rest of the game, but what the hell Cordarrelle? Acting like it's a blowout or a preseason game should piss your teammates off, not just the fans.</p>
<p>That said, Patterson was the only person to score against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/">Seahawks</a> last time around, so we might as well keep using his services while he's still around. Which shouldn't be after this season.</p>
<p><b><span>Matt Kalil</span>.</b> I'm starting to wonder if injuries are starting to linger with him again because he is starting to look a lot slower protecting around the edge. It's not that he's getting beat--that will happen from time to time even to the best left tackles. It's how he's getting beat--with simple speed rushes around the end. The first matchup with the Seahawks was an abject disaster for the entire offensive line; Kalil will have to play better this time around for the offense to stand a chance.</p>
<p><b><span>Teddy Bridgewater</span>. </b>Teddy had a real opportunity to establish himself in the biggest game of the season. Instead he finished the game with 99 yards passing. Bridgewater missed two touchdowns on the first drive by overthrowing wide open receivers on deep passes. But that paled in comparison to what has to be worst play of his young career:</p>
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<p>There's no excuse for trying to go full Favre with a ten point lead in the third quarter. But at least Teddy realizes how dumb that left-handed interception was. After tweeting about what a great team win it was for the Vikings, he subtweeted himself with this gem:</p>
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<blockquote lang="en" class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Just don't ever do that again Teddy!</p>
— Teddy Bridgewater (@teddyb_h2o) <a href="https://twitter.com/teddyb_h2o/status/683893990278692864">January 4, 2016</a>
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<p>Amen, Teddy. Bring your A game next week, because your team is going to need it against Seattle.</p>
<p><b><span>Terence Newman</span>.</b> Newman has had an excellent season but this game certainly wasn't his best work. He missed a couple big tackles and got caught in coverage by <span>James Jones</span> a handful of times. I hate to sound like a broken record here but he'll need to play a lot better against the Seattle receivers.</p>
<h4>Buy/Sell</h4>
<p><b>Buy: That fake punt on the first drive!</b> What a smart call to set the tone and get three important points on the team's first drive.</p>
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<p><b>Buy: Mixing it up a bit more on first down.</b> The Vikings ran the ball 15 times on first down and passed seven times. That might seem a little lopsided until you realize they ran the ball on 41 of 47 first downs over the past two weeks. Being overly predictable will be a death knell for the Vikings offense against the dangerous Seahawks defense next week.</p>
<p><b>Sell: Clock management at the end of the first half. Again.</b> The Vikings faced 4th and 2 at the Packers 43 with :15 seconds remaining. If you're planning on going for it, calling a timeout is fine. If you're planning on trying a really long field goal or launching a Hail Mary, let the clock run down to a few seconds left. But calling a timeout with :15 left then getting a delay of game penalty? The coaching staff and the players better run through end-of-half/game scenarios a whole bunch this week because they need everyone on the same page pronto.</p>
<p><b>Buy: The Sharrif Floyd mic drop.</b> I don't need to explain this one do I?</p>
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<p><b>Sell: Losing Rhett Ellison.</b> Learning that he tore his patella tendon and will miss the postseason is big news. Ellison will never light up the box score but he is quietly one of the more crucial players on the Vikings offense. His blocking in both the pass and run game will be hard to make up for.</p>
<p><b>Buy: The defense holding strong even though they were completely gassed.</b> When the Packers suddenly started moving the ball in the fourth quarter it wasn't because Rodgers and company had finally "figured it out" or were "turning it on late." It was because the defense was exhausted! They spent about 60% of the game on the field, including 8:35 of the last ten minutes of the game. It was truly an amazing effort by a defense that was frankly forced to do too much tonight.</p>
<p><b>Sell: Ragnar.</b> As you may have heard, a certain entitled former mascot switched allegiances before the game in a desperate attempt to stay relevant. And now the Packers are 0-1 with Ragnar as a fan. Good riddance Benedict Ragnold.</p>
<p><b>Buy: A home playoff game.</b> Yes, the Seahawks look poised to make a third straight <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/super-bowl">Super Bowl</a> run. Yes, the Vikings were humbled at home by Seattle a month ago. But like I said in my preview on Thursday, this is the playoffs. There aren't going to be any cupcake matchups anymore so you might as well play the tough teams at home. The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/washington-redskins">Redskins</a> are playing really well over the past five games and I don't know if my heart could handle another game like that in Green Bay. Winning a division title and finally shutting up the folks to the east of us is the most satisfying outcome possible, Wild Card opponent be damned. So bring on the Seahawks and let's see what happens next Sunday at noon.</p>
<p>(Besides, who in their right mind wants to go to Lambeau two weeks in a row in January? Even if Teddy Bridgewater has never lost there.)</p>
<h4>Gemma Thompson Quote of the Day</h4>
<p>I went to a friend's house to watch the game tonight. My family was going to come with but my wife decided that she wanted a quiet night with the girls before returning to work from maternity leave on Monday morning. So before I headed out I put the girls in their Vikings jammies and got ready to leave. Before I left I asked my older daughter a very important question: "Are the Vikings gonna win tonight Gemma?"</p>
<p>"Yep! Skoohhh Vikings, less Gooo!"</p>
<p>And then she blew me a kiss goodbye. Just like the Packers kissed the NFC North title goodbye.</p>
https://www.dailynorseman.com/2016/1/4/10706184/minnesota-vikings-green-bay-packers-week-17-recap-stock-market-reportEric Thompson2016-01-03T22:43:50-06:002016-01-03T22:43:50-06:00Vikings Win NFC North, 20-13
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<p>For the first time since 2010, a team that is not the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/">Green Bay Packers</a> has won the NFC North. . .and for the first time since 2009, that team was the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/">Minnesota Vikings</a>.</p>
<p>It wasn't necessarily pretty, but the Vikings held off a furious last-second rally to hang on and defeat the Packers at Lambeau Field by a final score of 20-13.</p>
<p>The teams exchanged field goals in the first quarter. <span>Blair Walsh</span> got the Vikings on the board first with a 39-yard effort to give Minnesota a 3-0 lead, and the Packers answered on the next drive with a 28-yarder from <span>Mason Crosby</span> to tie the score at 3-3. Walsh added a 32-yarder in the second quarter to put the Vikings back on top, 6-3, and. . .well, that was all the scoring for the first half of play. Both of the defenses put together very strong first half performances and neither offense could get anything started in the first thirty minutes of play.</p>
<p>The Vikings finally put a touchdown on the board on their first drive of the second half. After forcing a three-and-out from Green Bay to start the half, the Vikings went 58 yards in six plays, capping things off with a 3-yard touchdown run by <span>Adrian Peterson</span> to take a 13-3 lead. Following a turnover on an awful effort by <span>Teddy Bridgewater</span> that saw him attempt to throw one left-handed, the Vikings struck back with their defense. <span>Everson Griffen</span> got to <span>Aaron Rodgers</span> and knocked the ball out of his hand for a fumble. <span>Captain Munnerlyn</span> jumped on the loose ball for the Vikings, and took it back 55 yards the other way for a Vikings' touchdown to make the lead 20-3.</p>
<p>Green Bay got themselves into the end zone early in the fourth quarter, courtesy of a touchdown pass from Aaron Rodgers to Richard Rodgers. The 16-yard connection cut the Minnesota lead to 20-10 with a little over thirteen minutes remaining in the quarter. Mason Crosby then got the Packers even closer, as he connected on a 43-yard field goal to cut the lead to seven at 20-13.</p>
<p>Minnesota looked to have an opportunity to extend their lead after <span>Cordarrelle Patterson</span> broke a huge return deep into Green Bay territory. However, on the return, he was stripped by Mason Crosby. . .yes, the kicker. . .and fumbled the ball, with the Packers recovering at their own 23-yard line. The Packers quickly marched down the field, and faced a fourth-and-goal situation from the 13-yard line. Rodgers heaved a pass for the end zone, but it was intercepted by <span>Xavier Rhodes</span> to snuff out the drive. It was the second career interception for Rhodes, and it couldn't have come at a better time.</p>
<p>The Vikings had to punt the ball back to Green Bay after they couldn't generate a first down following the interception. Green Bay started at their own 42-yard line with under a minute left and no timeouts. The Packers pushed the ball down to the Minnesota 38-yard line, but could not pull out a miracle as Rodgers' last pass fell incomplete, and the Vikings wrapped up their first division championship since 2009.</p>
<p>The stat sheets weren't exactly on fire in this one for either side. For Minnesota, Teddy Bridgewater completed just 10-of-19 passes for 99 yards, no touchdowns, and an interception. Adrian Peterson and <span>Adam Thielen</span> tied for the team lead in rushing yardage with 67 each. Thielen collected 41 of those yards on a fake punt in the first quarter, while Peterson solidified his rushing title by carrying the ball 18 times. <span>Jerick McKinnon</span> was the Vikings' leading receiver, hauling in three passes for 33 yards.</p>
<p>For the Packers, Aaron Rodgers completed 28-of-44 passes for 291 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. <span>Eddie Lacy</span> was held in check by the Vikings' defense, as he put up just 34 yards on 13 carries. <span>James Jones</span> managed another big game receiving, hauling in four receptions for 102 yards.</p>
<p>The Vikings get one more game. . .at least. . .at TCF Bank Stadium, as they will host the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/">Seattle Seahawks</a> on Wild Card Weekend. The Packers will travel to the nation's capital to take on the NFC East champions, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/washington-redskins">Washington Redskins</a>.</p>
<p>The Minnesota Vikings are your 2015 NFC North champions, defeating the Green Bay Packers by a score of 20-13 at Lambeau Field. Thank you to everyone that got their coverage of this week's game here at The Daily Norseman!</p>
https://www.dailynorseman.com/2016/1/3/10703942/minnesota-vikings-green-bay-packers-recapChristopher Gates2016-01-03T21:49:17-06:002016-01-03T21:49:17-06:00Vikings at Packers: Fourth Quarter Open Thread
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<p>Holding a 6-3 lead in the <i>de facto</i> NFC North title game, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/">Minnesota Vikings</a> kicked off to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/">Green Bay Packers</a>, as the Packers had deferred to the second half after winning the game's opening coin toss. The kickoff from <span>Blair Walsh</span> went for another touchback, and the Packers started their first possession of the second half from their own 20-yard line. The Vikings forced a three-and-out thanks to a nice stop by <span>Terence Newman</span> and <span>Eric Kendricks</span>, and the Packers brought <span>Tim Masthay</span> on to punt it away. Masthay shanked his opportunity, and the Vikings took over with great field position on their own 42-yard line.</p>
<p>Minnesota quickly got themselves into Green Bay territory, as <span>Teddy Bridgewater</span> found <span>Jarius Wright</span> for an 11-yard gain to the Green Bay 47. <span>Adrian Peterson</span> then picked up 10 more, and <span>Adam Thielen</span> then took an end-around for 26 more all the way down to the Green Bay 11-yard line. Peterson then took the ball to the Packers' 6-yard line, and and two plays later finished the drive off with a three-yard touchdown run. Blair Walsh hit the extra point, and the Vikings extended their lead to ten at 13-3.</p>
<p>The next kickoff from Walsh was not a touchback, as <span>Jeff Janis</span> returned it to the Green Bay 27-yard line. The Vikings' defense forced a second straight three-and-out, with the Packers only gaining one yard in the process. A penalty for a block in the back on the Vikings gave them the ball at their own 23-yard line, where they started their next drive. A run by Peterson and an offsides penalty gave the Vikings a first down to start things off, and then Teddy Bridgewater made one of the worst decisions you'll ever see him make. He was in the process of being sacked, and he threw one <i>left-handed</i> that was intercepted by <span>Micah Hyde</span> at the Minnesota 43-yard line, giving the Packers a huge opportunity with 6:28 left in the quarter.</p>
<p>It looked like the Packers were going to take advantage of the turnover, but on a 3rd-and-12 play, <span>Everson Griffen</span> got around <span>Josh Sitton</span> and knocked the ball out of <span>Aaron Rodgers</span>' hand, with Rodgers pushing the ball forward with his empty hand. As there was no whistle on the play, <span>Captain Munnerlyn</span> alertly jumped on the ball and took it all the way for a 55-yard Vikings' touchdown. The play was reviewed, and the call was upheld. Blair Walsh hit the extra point, and the Vikings extended their lead to 20-3.</p>
<p>Walsh registered another touchback on the next kickoff, and the Packers started out at their own 20-yard line. Green Bay got their initial first down of the half on the series, and then got themselves into Minnesota territory when Aaron Rodgers found <span>James Jones</span> for a 32-yard gain down to the Minnesota 43-yard line. The Vikings' defense stiffened, and the Packers elected to go for it facing a 4th-and-4 from the Minnesota 37. Rodgers found <span>Randall Cobb</span>, who got <i>just</i> enough to convert the first down and keep the ball with Green Bay. As we move to the fourth quarter of play, the Packers are looking at 3rd-and-3 from the Minnesota 26-yard line.</p>
<p>With fifteen minutes remaining from Lambeau Field, the Minnesota Vikings lead the Green Bay Packers by a score of 20-3. Can the Vikings hold on and capture their first NFC North division title since 2009?</p>
https://www.dailynorseman.com/2016/1/3/10703940/minnesota-vikings-green-bay-packers-fourth-quarter-open-threadChristopher Gates2016-01-03T20:57:00-06:002016-01-03T20:57:00-06:00Vikings at Packers: Third Quarter Open Thread
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/yCboubQkzzxXZfmZ0RMer0QXS0s=/0x82:3123x2164/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/48488813/usa-today-9036634.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>To start the second quarter of play at Lambeau Field, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/">Green Bay Packers</a> converted a first down in their own territory at the 26-yard line. Fortunately, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/">Minnesota Vikings</a> kept them from advancing beyond that, as <span>Tom Johnson</span> and <span>Harrison Smith</span> combined to sack <span>Aaron Rodgers</span> on third down to stop the Packers' drive. <span>Tim Masthay</span> came on to punt, and the Vikings got a break as <span>Marcus Sherels</span> fumbled on the return, but the ball bounced out of bounds, allowing the Vikings to keep possession. The fumble went backwards, however, meaning the Vikings had to start at their own 16-yard line.</p>
<p>It looked like the Vikings might go three-and-out again, but <span>Teddy Bridgewater</span> found <span>Mike Wallace</span>. . .yeah, Mike Wallace. . .for a big 25-yard gain on third down to move the chains to the 40-yard line. However, the drive stalled after Teddy Bridgewater was sacked by <span>Julius Peppers</span>, the first sack for Green Bay on the evening. <span>Jeff Locke</span> came in once again, and put the Packers at their own 19-yard line with his punt.</p>
<p>The Vikings' defense blistered the Packers on their next drive, dropping Lacy for a two-yard loss and blowing up a screen play to Lacy for a loss of seven more. The Packers did pick up 14 on third down, but they still had to bring Masthay in to punt again. Sherels got a decent return on the punt, and the Vikings started with their best field position of the night at their own 43-yard line.</p>
<p>Minnesota quickly got into Green Bay territory, as Bridgewater found <span>Adam Thielen</span> for a 16-yard gain to the Green Bay 41. Bridgewater then found <span>Jerick McKinnon</span> for a 15-yard gain to the Packers' 26, and a personal foul penalty on <span>Clay Matthews</span> moved the ball down to the Packers' 11-yard line. However, Matthews redeemed himself a bit, sacking Bridgewater on third down and forcing another <span>Blair Walsh</span> field goal attempt. Walsh connected from 32 yards out, and the Vikings went back on top, 6-3.</p>
<p>Walsh's next kickoff wound up as another touchback, and the Packers started at their own 20-yard line with just under three minutes left in the half. Rodgers found <span>Davante Adams</span> for a big gain to the 44-yard line on the first play of the drive, and after the two-minute warning the Packers got a pass interference call on <span>Terence Newman</span> to move them into Minnesota territory. <span>Eric Kendricks</span> snuffed out the Packers' attempt on third down, and the Packers went for it. They were unable to convert on fourth down, and the Vikings got the ball back at the Minnesota 40-yard line.</p>
<p>Bridgewater found McKinnon for a quick gain to midfield, but the drive stalled out, and the two teams went into the locker room with the Vikings holding a 6-3 lead.</p>
<p>As you'd expect in a 6-3 football game, neither team is exactly tearing up the stat sheet. So far, Bridgewater has completed 7-of-15 passes for 80 yards. The Packers have done a good job against <span>Adrian Peterson</span> again, as the NFL's rushing champ has carried the ball 11 times for 30 yards. Jerick McKinnon is leading the Vikings in receiving with three catches for 33 yards in the first half.</p>
<p>For the Packers, Aaron Rodgers has completed 10-of-14 attempts for just 71 yards. <span>Eddie Lacy</span> is leading the Packers in rushing with 26 yards on eight carries, and <span>Richard Rodgers</span> is leading the Packers in receiving with three receptions for 26 yards.</p>
<p>It's been a low-scoring, smashmouth affair at Lambeau Field so far, with the Minnesota Vikings leading the Green Bay Packers at halftime by a score of 6-3. Green Bay will get the ball coming out of the locker room at halftime. Can the Vikings get something going and get themselves a victory in this one?</p>
https://www.dailynorseman.com/2016/1/3/10703934/minnesota-vikings-green-bay-packers-third-quarter-open-threadChristopher Gates2016-01-03T20:05:42-06:002016-01-03T20:05:42-06:00Vikings at Packers: Second Quarter Open Thread
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<figcaption>Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>At the start of the NFC North title game, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/">Green Bay Packers</a> won the coin toss and chose to defer to the second half, meaning that the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/">Minnesota Vikings</a> got the football first. <span>Mason Crosby</span> put his foot to the ball, and the result was a touchback, giving the Vikings the ball at their own 20-yard line. <span>Adrian Peterson</span> got the call on the first two plays of the game, gaining 11 yards and a first down. The drive stalled out when a pass from <span>Teddy Bridgewater</span> to <span>Jerick McKinnon</span> came up a couple of yards short of a first down, and the Vikings were forced to punt the ball away. The Vikings brought on <span>Jeff Locke</span> to punt the ball away. . .and then ran a fake to <span>Adam Thielen</span>, who went around the left side of the formation for a huge 41-yard gain down to the Green Bay 25-yard line.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, three consecutive incompletions from Bridgewater brought the drive to an end, and the Vikings had to call on <span>Blair Walsh</span> for a field goal attempt. Walsh connected from 39 yards out, and the Vikings found themselves out to an early 3-0 lead.</p>
<p>The ensuing kickoff from Walsh resulted in a touchback, giving the Packers the ball at their own 20 to start their first possession of the night. The Packers started off with <span>Eddie Lacy</span> doing what he tends to do when he sees the Vikings. . .chewing up yardage, as his first two carries went for 12 yards and a first down. The Packers' offense got a few more yards, but failed to convert their first third down opportunity of the evening and found themselves facing fourth and inches. The Packers kept their offense on the field, and Lacy converted with a second effort for the first down.</p>
<p>The Packers then moved into Minnesota territory, as <span>Aaron Rodgers</span> found <span>Richard Rodgers</span> for an 18-yard gain to the Vikings' 34-yard line. Three run plays later, the Packers found themselves inside the Vikings' red zone at the 19-yard line. Rodgers then found <span>James Jones</span> to get the Packers to the 11, but the Vikings' defense made the Packers face another fourth down. This time, they called on Mason Crosby for a field goal attempt, and he was good from 28 yards out to tie the score at 3-3.</p>
<p>Jerick McKinnon actually returned the ensuing kickoff for the Vikings, taking it to the Minnesota 24-yard line. The Vikings went three-and-out on their possession, and wound up having to punt the ball away. This time, Jeff Locke actually got to kick it away, and blasted a big punt down to the Green Bay 16-yard line. A penalty on the Packers kept the ball at that spot, and as we move to the second quarter of play, the Packers are facing a 2nd-and-1 from their own 25-yard line.</p>
<p>The NFC North title game is tied, 3-3, after one quarter of play at Lambeau Field. Can the Minnesota Vikings win their first NFC North title since 2009? Come hang out with us for the second quarter of play!</p>
https://www.dailynorseman.com/2016/1/3/10703932/minnesota-vikings-green-bay-packers-second-quarter-open-threadChristopher Gates2016-01-03T18:30:02-06:002016-01-03T18:30:02-06:00Vikings at Packers: First Quarter Open Thread
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/DoudiIVOXJxt1S8l9DXOfbP4sGg=/0x53:3432x2341/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/48485527/usa-today-9021598.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<table class="sbnu-legacy-content-table" border="1" align="center" style="margin-bottom: 0px;" width="454" bgcolor="#ffffff"><tbody> <tr align="center"> <td bgcolor="#3b2764" width="192"><font color="#e8b451"><strong>MINNESOTA VIKINGS (10-5)</strong></font></td> <td bgcolor="#000000" width="70"><font color="#ffffff"><strong>WEEK 17</strong></font></td> <td bgcolor="#343F38" width="192"><font color="#ECC14D"><strong>GREEN BAY PACKERS (10-5)</strong></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" width="192"><img src="https://cdn1.vox-cdn.com/uploads/blog/sbnu_logo/65/large_dailynorseman.com.full.69479.png" height="200" width="250" style="vertical-align: middle;"></td> <td align="center" style="font-size: 23px; vertical-align: middle;" bgcolor="#d4d4d4" width="70"><h1>@</h1></td> <td align="center" width="192"><img src="https://cdn3.vox-cdn.com/uploads/blog/sbnu_logo/77/large_acmepackingcompany.com.full.44521.png" height="200" width="250" style="vertical-align: middle;"></td> </tr> </tbody></table>
<table class="sbnu-legacy-content-table" border="1" align="center" height="146" style="margin-top: 0px;" width="546" bgcolor="#ffffff"><tbody> <tr align="center" bgcolor="#eeeeee"> <td bgcolor="#d4d4d4" width="100"><strong>Date:</strong></td> <td width="159">3 January 2016<br> </td> <td bgcolor="#d4d4d4" width="106"><strong>Location:</strong></td> <td width="127">Green Bay, WI</td> </tr> <tr align="center" bgcolor="#eeeeee"> <td bgcolor="#d4d4d4" width="100"><strong>Time:</strong></td> <td width="159">7:25 PM Central</td> <td bgcolor="#d4d4d4" width="106"><strong>Stadium:</strong></td> <td width="127">Lambeau Field</td> </tr> <tr align="center" bgcolor="#eeeeee"> <td bgcolor="#d4d4d4" width="100" style="vertical-align: middle;"><strong>TV:</strong></td> <td style="vertical-align: middle;" width="159">NBC</td> <td bgcolor="#d4d4d4" width="106" style="vertical-align: middle;"><strong>Radio:</strong></td> <td width="127"> <a href="http://www.vikings.com/media-vault/radio.html" target="_blank">Vikings Radio Network</a><br>XM Ch 225<br>Sirius Ch 83</td> </tr> <tr align="center" bgcolor="#eeeeee"> <td bgcolor="#d4d4d4" width="100" style="vertical-align: middle;"><strong>TV Announcers:</strong></td> <td style="vertical-align: middle;" width="159">Al Michaels<br>Cris Collinsworth</td> <td bgcolor="#d4d4d4" width="106" style="vertical-align: middle;"><strong>Know Thy Foe:</strong></td> <td style="vertical-align: middle;" width="127"><a href="http://www.acmepackingcompany.com" target="_blank">Acme Packing Company</a></td> </tr> <tr align="center"></tr> <tr align="center"> <td bgcolor="#000000" width="100"><font color="#ffffff"><strong>Weather:</strong></font></td> <td bgcolor="#000000" colspan="3"><font color="#ffffff"><strong>24 degrees, wins from NW at 5-10 MPH, 0% chance of rain</strong></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td style="text-align: center;" bgcolor="#ffffff" width="100"><strong>Line:</strong></td> <td style="text-align: center;" bgcolor="#ffffff" colspan="3"> <strong>Green Bay -3, Over/Under 45.5 (Thanks to the </strong><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/odds" target="_blank">SB Nation Odds page</a><strong>)</strong> </td> </tr> <tr align="center"> <td bgcolor="#000000" width="100"><font color="#ffffff"><strong>Chris' Prediction:</strong></font></td> <td bgcolor="#000000" colspan="3"><font color="#ffffff"><strong>Vikings 24, Packers 21</strong></font></td> </tr> <tr align="center"> <td bgcolor="#ffffff" width="100"><strong>Final Score:</strong></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff" colspan="3"><strong>Vikings 20, Packers 13</strong></td> </tr> </tbody></table>
<p><br>Here are the ground rules for the Game Threads:</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>-Thou shalt not link illegal feeds of today's game, or I shall kick thy arse to the curb until the game is over. Do not promote then, do not mention them, do not even hint at them. Thou hast been warned.</em></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>-Thou shalt make an attempt to keep the swearing to a minimum. Understandable that it will slip occasionally, but do try to limit it. If you really feel the need to curse, use the spoiler tags to keep it covered up. We'll get the sentiment.</em></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>-Thou shalt not feed the trolls. Rather, thou shall simply point them out, and they shall be banished to the fires of Mordor. Or Wisconsin. Whichever we feel is more harsh at the time.</em></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>-Thou shalt not engage in racist, sexist, or other such insulting rhetoric. Somebody disagreeing with you does not make them racist or sexist. It means they disagree with you. Talk it out like adults.</em></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>-Thou shalt not bait the fans of other teams into trolling.</em></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>-Basically, thou shalt not be a jackwagon in the game thread.</em></strong></p>
<p>Don't really need much of an introduction here. It's the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/">Minnesota Vikings</a>. It's the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/">Green Bay Packers</a>. Winner gets the NFC North title, loser hits the road for the post-season. How much more hype do you need?</p>
<p>So, what do the Vikings need to do in order to emerge with their first division title since 2009 and the right to host the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/">Seattle Seahawks</a> at TCF Bank Stadium next Sunday?</p>
<p><em style="font-weight: bold;">1) Don't let the moment get too big</em> - The Vikings' players have admitted that they may have been too "amped" the first time these two teams got together. They need to prevent that from happening this time, or else it's going to throw them off. They need to play the same game that they've played since the Arizona loss, and keep their emotions as even as they can. If they get too "amped" again, the Packers are going to be able to take advantage of it just like they did in the last match-up.</p>
<p><em style="font-weight: bold;">2) <span>Eddie Lacy</span> is the key</em> - Yes, <span>Aaron Rodgers</span> is still Aaron Rodgers and all that, but the biggest problem the Vikings faced last time these teams met was Lacy. Lacy is relatively useless against non-Vikings teams, but he seems to find his groove whenever these two teams get together. The Vikings did a really poor job of tackling against Lacy the last time these two teams played, and they can't allow that to be the case this time. If they can keep Lacy contained, they'll keep the Packers "behind schedule" on down and distance and can try to take advantage of an injury-plagued Green Bay offensive line.</p>
<p><em style="font-weight: bold;">3) Stay unpredictable</em> - The Packers were able to slow <span>Adrian Peterson</span> in the first match-up between these two teams, and Norv Turner really left <span>Teddy Bridgewater</span> out to dry as a result. Over the past few games, the Vikings have gone to a short passing game that allows Bridgewater to get the ball out of his hands, and he's flourished as a result. Minnesota has also gotten some good results from <span>Jerick McKinnon</span> over the past few games, and he could play a big role in this one as well. As long as the Packers aren't able to tee off on any one aspect of the Vikings' offense, the Vikings should be able to move the ball in this one.</p>
<p>We're less than an hour away from the final game of the 2015 NFL regular season, folks. Let's hope that our favorite team can slay one more dragon this season and get themselves a division title.</p>
<p>SKOLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL VIKINGS!!!!</p>
https://www.dailynorseman.com/2016/1/3/10703886/minnesota-vikings-at-green-bay-packers-first-quarter-open-threadChristopher Gates