Anybody But The Packers

K. Joudry |

Jan 14, 2022

Nov 1, 2020; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook (33) celebrates with offensive tackle Ezra Cleveland (72) after scoring a touchdown in the third quarter during the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

That’s the sentiment among many Vikings fans. As the playoffs draw near – it’s Playoffs Eve – many within the Vikings faithful are subscribing to this thinking: anybody but the Packers.

For the most part, NFL fans dislike the teams within their team’s division. That’s a normal, healthy part of following NFL football. The way Vikings fans feel about the Packers, though, goes beyond this normal, healthy tendency found among the broader fanbase.

So much of the issue flows from the simple fact that GB had a franchise QB in Brett Favre. He made them relevant for a long, long time. They then had Aaron Rodgers fall into their lap in 2005. Now, Minnesota only has themselves to blame: they could have chosen Rodgers, so they’re like most of the NFL insofar as they allowed GB to revitalize their QB position on the fly. Nevertheless, there’s a fair bit of bitterness about the three decades of Hall-of-Fame-QB-Play.

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Making matters even worse is that Rodgers is pretty unlikable. There’s a long list of reasons why people think he’s a complete jerk.

Of course, Packers fans are more than happy to accommodate these things since he’s so sensational. I’ll readily admit that he’s an incredibly gifted player, someone who may go down as the most talented (not best) QB to ever play. Fans of other NFL franchises – especially the NFC North – find it much more difficult to overlook these flaws.

The playoffs begin tomorrow, and we’ll have a staff prediction piece rolling out every week. We’ll be doing our best to enjoy what the playoffs have to offer even though Minnesota isn’t in it. What would make it even better is seeing the Packers once again beaten decisively in the playoffs.

I find myself cheering for the Bills, but it’s a win as long as it’s anybody but the Packers.

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