Packers dominate on both sides of the ball against Vikings, now a win away from the playoffs

 

Sunday night’s game was between two teams at 7-8 and still fighting for a playoff spot, the Packers and the Vikings. The Vikings were working on their fourth starting quarterback, Jaren Hall, after their third starting quarterback of the past two weeks, Nick Mullens, threw for over 700 yards but 6 interceptions. Of course we have seen backup quarterbacks who have looked like pro bowlers against the Packer defense, so nothing would surprise me.

The game proceeded how it should have been expected against a quarterback who had taken only 22 regular season snaps going into the game. The Vikings offense was mostly horrible in the first half, giving the Packer offense plenty of opportunities to take control of the game, which they did. The only thing that prevented a 30-3 halftime lead was an errant throw to a wide open Bo Melton (who came off the practice squad a few games ago) on fourth down. The Packers outgained the Vikings 265 to 81 in the first half, settling for a 23-3 lead as the offense continues to be allowed to open the game with plays downfield, with Love throwing for 180 yards.

Mullens came in the second half, made a couple throws, and the Vikings scored on a short field after a muffed point, but otherwise nothing much changed. The Packers added ten points just to keep in practice for their most lopsided win of the season. Aaron Jones gained over a 100 yards for a second game in a row, and it is no coincidence that the Packers had two straight 30+-point games with everything clicking on offense.

I have to admit that the Vikings lost 4 of 5 games by less than a touchdown each and might take advantage of the Packer defense, but that defense looked impressive, allowing just 211 yards to a season high 470 yards of total offense for the Packers, added to by a 37-yard pass from Sean Clifford to Melton at the end of the game (just for “practice”).

I suppose what has been most impressive is the previously much maligned offensive line play of the Packers in this game, allowing no sacks, three quarterback hits and just one tackle for loss. I pointed out before that I didn’t think that the offensive line was the “problem,” but that should be obvious now. Adding 177 yards rushing to last week’s 162, the Packers seem to be playing with the offensive mindset they were expecting to play with entire season. 

Jordan Love, who had been criticized for being inaccurate and failing to have a deep ball, has proven doubters wrong with vast improvements in both areas. His mechanics and footwork haven't improved, but now people are comparing those "issues"  favorably to his predecessors.

Still, in the previous three weeks the Packers lost two games, and could have lost a third in a row last week against a now 2-14 Panthers team. Next week the 8-8 Packers can clinch the playoffs with a win at home against the Bears after the Seahawks loss. But this isn’t the same Bears team the Packers blew-out earlier in the season; the Bears have been playing impressively of late, winning 4 of 5 including a win over the Lions. Justin Fields has been playing better, but not spectacularly, but the Bears’ defense has been decisive, particularly in forcing turnovers—31 compared to the Packers forcing just 18 through 16 games.