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Cracking the Packers: Last month's loss helps Sunday's game plan

Article by: DAN WIEDERER , Star Tribune
Updated: December 28, 2012 - 6:26 AM

A Week 13 loss in Green Bay helped the Vikings draw up their blueprint to win Sunday's rematch.

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manoliveDec. 27, 1210:58 PM

Excellant article, Dan. Thanks for pointing out what the Vikes must do to win. That the main goal is to limit Ponders mistakes shows just how tough this team can be once Ponder gets better. Yes, I'll begrudgingly admit that the Ponder experiment is far from over. He's shown the last few games how he can make a difference just by playing within himself, not doing too much, and playing steady, mistake free football. 9-6 is somewhat of a miracle, but after 3 straight wins against quality opponents, beating Green Bay suddenly doesn't seem so far fetched anymore. Good luck, guys! Go Vikings! Bring it home!

prplchumpDec. 27, 1211:26 PM

Funny how the local yokel media fails to mention that Clay Matthews did not play in that week #13 tilt in which the Packers cruised to an easy 23-14 victory over the purple. This time around the vikings were hoping the Packers would have nothing to play for this week and lie down in the HumptyDome and let the hapless purple win a cheap one but now that's off the table and a first week bye is at stake the Packers will come out and play for something the vikings have not acheived since the Favre debacle in the 2009 season and that is a Division title and a first round playoff bye. The vikings reward for a victory this Sunday will be nothing more than the #6 and final seed wildcard spot in the playoffs and a trip to Lambeau field next week.

snoebirdDec. 28, 1212:32 AM

Matthews is very disruptive, and if he loops into the A gap, Ponder will have him in his face, and we know what Ponder does when that happens.

robb123Dec. 28, 12 3:43 AM

Kalil will limit Matthews.And to @prplchump...what do you mean nothing more than the 6 seed?!? What, that isn't enough? That opens the door to the Super Bowl!Weird.People have short memories on these sites.The Vikings would not even be in contention without Ponder's game saving drive the last minute against Jacksonville that set up Walsh's winning kick.Without him doing that they would have lost.Fans can't wait to atack him as though no other QB ever lost a game.He'll be fine Sunday and the Vikings will surprise once again.Be a real fan( as the players themselves tweeted) and support,not abort,the Vikings.

rms316Dec. 28, 12 7:08 AM

This Green Bay team is very different than the last game on both sides of the ball. Pack has a lot to play for and McCarthy will have this team going with the pedal down.

bredpathDec. 28, 12 7:29 AM

I hope they keep playing Ballard in place of Robison. Rodgers made a lot of plays last time because Brian got burned coming around the edge.

west336Dec. 28, 12 8:35 AM

Here should be the Vikings M.O. on Sunday: Set up play-action passes throughout the first quarter on Offense, then give AD the ball the rest of the game. On Defense, do whatever it takes to put pressure on Rodgers and not give him all day to throw. Based on the recent history between these two teams, that should just about do it.

w1walshDec. 28, 12 8:46 AM

I suppose next week we will be reading about how much the Vikings learned from being swept by the Packers this year in preparation for the 2013 season. When will the Vikings start teaching the class instead of attending?

jjjamesDec. 28, 1210:00 AM

If the Vikes win, they deserve to make the playoffs. If they don't, they don't. Seems fair.

krellcodaDec. 28, 1210:12 AM

Hate to be pessimistic but the Vikes will let us down once again :=( The Packers will win big in a blowout.

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