OFFICIAL Packers @ Vikings Game Thread

[red]

o-line has to play the game of their young lives

and we have to try and slow down ap, somehow

and when the old bastard makes one of his patented mistakes, we have to take advantage of them (td's not field goals)

[Fritz]

Couple of random thoughts:

If the "Big Okie" package doesn't work at all, I want to be the first to say that it should be called the "Big Jokey." I do hope it works, though. I'm wondering if a part of its use beyond stopping Jackson was to keep Martin's snaps limited as it sounds like he's still learning the D. Having him in there might've limited the options.

Secondly, when it's time to pressure Favre, I'm hoping it comes up the gut. Favre is the master of stepping up in the pocket when he feels outside pressure, so if the pressure comes up the middle and he does that throwing-while-falling-backward thing, that'd be good. But if the pressure's coming from the outside and he can step up, then it's trouble.

As Waldo has noted too, Favre's most successful throwing in the middle of the field. If the Pack can get some push up the middle he'll have less success zinging it into the middle of the field.

I think that Red is right that this o-line's going to need to play well. I'm concerned about Wells, actually - he still gets shoved around. Thus I am hoping for more runs to the edges, so the guards and tackles can use their athleticism and Wells need only to hold up the backside.

[Rastak]

I'm thinking the Vikings might be putting in some dump offs to the flat for Peterson, Taylor and Harvin. All three of those guys are great in open space. If Green Bay blitzes like crazy I'd employ that tactic along with slants to Rice. He's big and has great hands.

[Fritz]

I dunno, Ras - my guess (and of course it's a guess) is that Capers is going to design everything to slow Peterson down as much as he can. I'm not seeing a bunch of blitz-happy calls unless the Vikes get behind by more than ten or unless it's third and 8 or more - in which case some of them screens might work.

But I hope they don't.

[Rastak]

I dunno, Ras - my guess (and of course it's a guess) is that Capers is going to design everything to slow Peterson down as much as he can. I'm not seeing a bunch of blitz-happy calls unless the Vikes get behind by more than ten or unless it's third and 8 or more - in which case some of them screens might work.

But I hope they don't.

I think they'll bring it against Favre, who is barely more mobile Frerotte last year...(he was a statue in the pcoket).

[Rastak]

Scouts inc preview:

After breaking down film of both teams, Scouts Inc. offers 10 things to watch in this week's Packers-Vikings matchup.


1. The Packers must fill every gap on defense: When you watch the Minnesota run game, the thing that strikes you is how Adrian Peterson can change direction at the last second. Defenses are showing a lot of run blitzes versus the Vikings, but Peterson has a rare ability to press the hole and then bounce the play outside as he sees the hole fill. Green Bay must have great gap discipline and prevent Peterson from doing damage on cutback runs.

2. Green Bay must run: It is easy for the Packers to become a pass-happy group because they have so many weapons. To their credit, the Packers made a concerted effort to run the ball in Week 3. This is a lethal play-action passing game, and when there is the threat of the run, it really opens things up for Aaron Rodgers, especially versus a Minnesota defense that will attack the gaps when it reads the run.

3. Can the Packers' D hold up in the middle of the field? Green Bay has physical safeties who have a lot of responsibilities in run support in this game -- and both are less than 100 percent healthy. If they are forced to attack the inside to stop Peterson, Brett Favre should be able to make plays over the middle.

4. Packers need consistency on defense: The Packers have done an excellent job transitioning from a 4-3 to 3-4, and they are not playing as many tight man-to-man schemes as they did in the past. As good as the Packers are, they tend to make a couple mental errors in each game that lead to big passing plays. The Packers' D has also struggled to get off the field on third down.

5. Blitz pick-up key for Minnesota: Favre has been sacked nine times and hit on 19 occasions through three games, and defenses know that he is a stationary target. He plays behind a usually excellent run-blocking offensive line, but the line has struggled in one-on-one blocking situations, and it doesn't always seem to recognize where the blitzes are coming from. The Packers are not an all-out attack defense, but they can play some man schemes behind the blitz, and bringing pressure could also confuse the Vikings' blocking angles in the run game.

6. Which Vikings' D will show up? The Minnesota defense is usually terrific, but it is not playing at the top of its game right now -- in terms of run defense and contain. We don't see a lot of blitzes from the Vikings, but in the past they have really confused offensive blocking schemes with twists and stunts. The Packers' offensive line is really susceptible to active defensive fronts that will attack the gaps -- and if the Vikings do that in this game they will get excellent penetration.

7. Will the Vikings' D change up its zone looks? Minnesota is basically a Cover 2 defense that plays strong versus the run and doesn't give up a lot of big pass plays. However, the Vikings are not getting pressure by the guys up front (except DE Jared Allen), and that gives QBs good zones to exploit. San Francisco's Shaun Hill had a solid day versus this defense and Rodgers not only has more talent, but he also has more weapons at his disposal. This would be a good week for the Vikings to change up coverage looks with some combo schemes and maybe even some blitzes versus a suspect pass-blocking Green Bay offensive line.

8. Minnesota must stay balanced: The Vikings might be tempted to open up the passing game, but this is still a run-first offense with Peterson. The Vikings should use the run to set up the pass, and a lot of those passes should come off play-action. When Favre does pass, he should attack the middle of the field when Green Bay's safeties fill versus the run.

9. Minnesota must contain Rodgers: Rodgers has developed a scrambling element to his game and it will put added pressure on the Vikings' defense. Rodgers is a very effective deep passer, even off five-step drops, and he forces defensive backs to turn and run with his receivers. If the pass is not there, he can tuck the ball and run versus defenders who have their backs to the ball. He can scramble up the middle if the Vikings' defensive tackles rush wide and he is also a threat to run wide if the defensive ends don't play contain. Discipline is important for the Minnesota defense.

10. Key matchup: Green Bay LT Daryn Colledge vs. Allen: Colledge is a guard by trade, and his quickness and athleticism on an island could be a real problem versus the tenacious Allen, who has excellent quickness and an array of pass-rush moves. It's difficult to see how Green Bay can get away with not helping Colledge in pass protection with a tight end or back. If the Packers don't give Colledge help, Allen will dominate this matchup and Rodgers will get hit a lot from the backside. There's still a chance that Chad Clifton (ankle) could play, but with him being less than 100 percent, it's still a matchup that Allen should dominate.

They like Green Bay 21-17.

[GrnBay007]

Wow, early game day thread. That's a lot of cyber tail-gating before kick-off.

Probably should have waited until tonight.

Just excited about this game and hoping this thread can stick to straight discussion of the game without the riff-raff.

[CaptainKickass]

-

Holy fucking shit Batman!

Call me pragmatic but:

Shouldn't the "Official Game Day thread" be started... ya know...on the day the actual game is played?

Maybe?

[CaptainKickass]

Wow, early game day thread. That's a lot of cyber tail-gating before kick-off.

Probably should have waited until tonight.

Just excited about this game and hoping this thread can stick to straight discussion of the game without the riff-raff.

The Captain forgives you, of course.

I'm abviously pumped for the game too. Otherwise I wouldn't be in this thread.

[Rastak]

ESPN's fantasy take on the Vikes vs Pack epic battle on Monday night....

Green Bay Packers
(2-1)
Minnesota Vikings
(3-0)

ANALYSIS: I know it's only Friday, but go ahead and begin your hyperventilating now. Brett Favre is playing the Green Bay Packers. Oh my God oh my God oh my God oh my God.


FANTASY UP: I'm fine with using Greg Jennings and Donald Driver, per usual. Jennings only got three targets last week, but made two of them count for huge plays, and Driver continues to be a stellar possession receiver with some longer speed, and looks like a pretty good bet to lead the Packers in targets. So why do I have a weird feeling about Aaron Rodgers this week? It's nothing to do with Favre, and it's really not Rodgers' fault. It's just that after three games of running for his life, I think he looks a little skittish. And with good reason: His offensive line is leaking, and left tackle Chad Clifton will be out again this week, meaning Daryn Colledge will start on Rodgers' blind side again. The St. Louis Rams got after Rodgers early, and he seemed to take off and run the moment a rusher got near him (for the game, he wound up with eight carries for 38 yards and a rushing score). The Minnesota Vikings are not the Rams. I daresay this is the best pass-rushing team the Packers have faced yet. I'm not down on Rodgers. But I "only" have him 10th among quarterbacks this week. … Adrian Peterson owners didn't like to see the Vikings finally decide to air it out late last week against a San Francisco 49ers defense that dared them to throw, but it had to happen. Peterson only had eight carries and one reception in the second half. Purple Jesus has three career 100-yard rushing days in four starts against the Pack, including a 192-yard effort against 'em last year. … Gotta say, I like the defenses here. I have the Vikings third and the Packers fifth. In past weeks, I've been skeptical about the hype the Vikings' corners get and how the Packers' linebackers would adjust to the 3-4. So far, though, so good. This figures to be an emotional, nasty game, so while you'll see some points scored, you should also see the requisite number of sacks, turnovers and big defensive plays.




FANTASY DOWN: Ryan Grant "runs hard" (as they say), but the lasting image I have of him from his stellar 2007 is making up-the-gut runs; quick, slicing moves to an interior hole that let him get upfield in a hurry. With this year's edition of the Packers' O-line, those runs just don't seem to be there. Instead, when Grant makes noise on the ground, it seems like it's to the outside. And even then, Grant's yards-per-carry average through three games is just 3.7, worse than the 3.9 that had fantasy owners yawning last year. The Vikes haven't allowed a rushing touchdown and completely stuffed Glen Coffee last week, so I don't have huge hopes for Grant. I think it'd be hard to sit him, since he's one of the few guys who can pretty much lock in 20 touches every week. But I don't think this matchup favors him. … Sidney Rice did his level best to further muddy the Vikings' receiver situation last week, taking one 30 yards for a score. Rice only has nine catches on 16 targets this year, but heck, Percy Harvin has 12 and 18 and Bernard Berrian has 17 and 10, so it's not like anyone here is setting the world ablaze. Of course, Harvin had to go and return a kickoff for a score, meaning he's got a touchdown in each game this season, but I'm going out on a limb and saying I don't think that pace is sustainable. This week, I have Berrian 27th and Harvin 30th, and Rice not ranked. But the problem is I just don't know who's getting the ball in a given week.

[SkinBasket]

I'm steaming the ribs with champagne tonight to celebrate the win tomorrow.

[MOBB DEEP]

LET'S GOOOOO.....!!!

[mmmdk]

I still think the rematch at Lambeau is even more paramount but this is it; MNF at the Metro. Time to be heroes and claim that Packer win.

[Waldo]

Not to be overlooked....

Monday will be the primary determining factor between whether DC gets LG money or LT money when he is extended (shortly).

Never count out a guy, saying that he will get "dominated", when he literally has 2+ million/year (upwards of 10M+ in career earning potential) riding on his performance in this game.

I still don't understand why every week those Scouts, Inc scouts say that DC isn't quick or athletic. Are we watching the same guy? DC is a little undersized and has relatively short arms, and doesn't have elite balance (feet); quickness and athleticism is by far his strong suit. Clifton is neither quick nor athletic, he has balance and length.

[Rastak]

Not to be overlooked....

Monday will be the primary determining factor between whether DC gets LG money or LT money when he is extended (shortly).

Never count out a guy, saying that he will get "dominated", when he literally has 2+ million/year (upwards of 10M+ in career earning potential) riding on his performance in this game.

I still don't understand why every week those Scouts, Inc scouts say that DC isn't athletic. Are we watching the same guy? DC is a little undersized and has relatively short arms, and doesn't have elite balance (feet); athleticism is by far his strong suit.

It'll be interesting to see how he handles the noise....he'll need to be on top of his game. I can assure you I won't be able to speak following the game due to non-stop screaming when the Packers have the ball.

He does have plenty of motivation. Does he have enough preparation and composure? We'll find out tomorrow night!