Get to Know the Vikings Opponent: Week 17 at Green Bay Packers
Josh Frey
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In a Week 17 that carries plenty of playoff implications with it, the Minnesota Vikings head to Green Bay to take on their NFC North rival Packers at Lambeau Field. With a win, the Vikings can virtually eliminate the Packers from playoff contention while also maintaining their hold of the No. 2 seed in the NFC over the San Francisco 49ers. Before the game takes place, let’s get to know this version of the Green Bay Packers a little better.
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Recent Schedule
- Week 12 @ Philadelphia Eagles: Loss, 33-40
- Week 13 @ Chicago Bears: Win, 28-19
- Week 14 Bye
- Week 15 vs. Los Angeles Rams: Win, 24-12
- Week 16 @ Miami Dolphins: Win, 26-20
Stat Leaders
Passing
- Pass Completions: Aaron Rodgers (318)
- Pass Attempts: Aaron Rodgers (491)
- Passing Yards: Aaron Rodgers (3331)
- Passing TDs: Aaron Rodgers (24)
- Interceptions: Aaron Rodgers (11)
Rushing
- Rush Attempts: Aaron Jones (187)
- Rushing Yards: Aaron Jones (962)
- Rushing TDs: AJ Dillon (6)
Receiving
- Targets: Allen Lazard (88)
- Reeptions: Aaron Jones (54)
- Receiving Yards: Allen Lazard (688)
- Receiving TDs: Christian Watson (7)
Defense
- Tackles: Quay Walker (106)
- Solo Tackles: Quay Walker (64)
- Tackles for Loss: Preston Smith (9)
- Sacks: Preston Smith (8.5)
- Interceptions: Jaire Alexander (5)
- Pass Defenses: Jaire Alexander (13)
Kicking
- Field Goals Made: Mason Crosby (20)
- Field Goals Attempted: Mason Crosby (23)
- Longest Field Goal: Mason Crosby (48 yards)
- XPs made: Mason Crosby (31)
- XP Attempts: Mason Crosby (33)
Punting
- Total Punts: Pat O’Donnell (49)
- Punt Yards: Pat O’Donnell (2195)
- Yards per Punt: Pat O’Donnell (44.8)
- Net Yards per Punt: Pat O’Donnell (40.0)
- Longest Punt: Pat O’Donnell (72 yards)
Storylines to Watch
Playoff Implications
With a win over the Minnesota Vikings, the Green Bay Packers magical run could continue, and they’d be that much closer to a playoff berth that way. Meanwhile, a loss puts them on the ropes again, and their season may officially be over with a loss and Commanders win.
On the other side, the Minnesota Vikings need to get this win as well as a 49ers loss to clinch the No. 2 seed in the NFC. If they don’t get a win, but the 49ers do win, the Vikings fall down to the No. 3 seed, and they’d have to travel during the Divisional Round to San Francisco.
Another Za’Darius Smith Revenge Game
Za’Darius Smith admitted prior to Week 1 that revenge was on his mind against his former team, and he performed extremely well in that game. The veteran pass rusher recorded 2 tackles, a TFL, a sack, and a pair of QB hits in the season opener for the Vikings.
Now, Smith gets a chance at revenge for the second time this season as the Vikings head to Lambeau. He will be crucial towards the Vikings efforts of slowing down Aaron Rodgers. We’ll see if they can get it done.
Packers Hot Streak
The Minnesota Vikings are running into the Packers at probably the worst possible time. Green Bay is now on a three-game winning streak, and these wins have been due to many factors. First and foremost, their defense has been spectacular.
The Packers are allowing just 17 points per game during the stretch, and their offense is controlling the time of possession. Because of this recent success by the Packers, the Minnesota Vikings now find themselves as underdogs heading into Week 17. We’ll see if Vegas is proven right or wrong.
2023 NFL Draft Rankings: EDGE Rushers
Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho with a bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing. He also earned minors in History, Human Biology, and Journalism. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys marathon training, playing video games, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. For more of his opinions, check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.