Packers are NFC North Champions after beating the Vikings

The Green Bay Packers are the 2019 NFC North Division Champions after their 23-10 victory over the Minnesota Vikings at US Bank Stadium.

The game did not start out well for the Packers as Aaron Jones fumbled on their first possession of the game, giving the Vikings a first-and-goal. They held them to a field goal though and eventually tied the game on a field goal of their own. Two more turnovers lead to a touchdown and a 10-3 deficit. They were able to chip away at the deficit and went into halftime trailing only 10-9. The Packers did all of the scoring in the second half and left Minnesota with a 23-10 win and division champions for the first time since the 2016 season.

Some thoughts about the victory:

Aaron Rodgers and the offense were not very good in the first half. Three turnovers led to all of the Vikings’ 10 points in the game. Rodgers even threw a rare interception. Even more rare was that the ball wasn’t tipped. I believe that was the first such interception since the Carolina game in 2017. Davante Adams would fumble later in the half.

Rodgers was off in the first half and receivers were dropping passes. I was frustrated when Adams missed on a pass to the endzone right before the half. Instead of leading at halftime, they trailed by a point.

The Vikings had only two first downs in the first half but lead 10-9. I didn’t think that was a good sign because I figured that they would make the proper adjustments and start moving the ball effectively in the second half. Thank goodness that wasn’t the case.

Jones and Adams fumbled but they ended up having huge games. Jones had over 100 yards rushing and Adams had over 100 yards receiving. They both hit those numbers in the first meeting with the Vikings in September.

Kirk Cousins had a killer turnover in the third quarter when he threw deep but got intercepted by Kevin King. That was King’s second interception vs Cousins this season. The one he had back in September was late in the game and the Packers were able to hold them off.

Going into this game, the Packers were 0-3 at US Bank Stadium and Kirk Cousins was 0-8 as a starter on Monday Night Football. Something had to give. I’m glad it was Cousins and his record that was able to continue. It’s the Packers’ first season sweep of the Vikings since 2014.

The Packers do have a defense and they played their hearts out in this game. Kenny Clark seems to get better every week. The real star in this one though is Za’Darius Smith, who had 3.5 sacks and some huge tackles on the opposing running backs. The Vikings had only seven first downs in this game. You have to go back to 1971 when the offense was this inept at home.

I know the Vikings played without Dalvin Cook but they still had some playmakers on offense and Kirk Cousins has been a hot quarterback since their 2-2 start to the season. The defense had their hands full and they answered the challenge. The Packers can win in the playoffs with this defense. I would like to see their offense be a little more consistent. If that happens, this team will be very hard to beat.

So this win means that the Packers have won their division and will host at least one playoff game in January. A win vs the Detroit Lions on the road next week would mean that the Packers would have a first-round bye at the very least. A win next week and a win by the Seattle Seahawks vs the San Francisco 49ers would give the Packers the top seed and home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs. For those of you who question whether the bye helps or hurts a team more, consider a few things. A bye would mean the Packers get a week off instead of having to play another game just to make it to the next round. A bye would mean they would host a game in the second round. A team like the New Orleans Saints with Drew Brees is tough enough. Would you rather face them in Lambeau Field or go down to the Superdome in that madhouse? I think the answer is obvious.

What about the job that Matt LaFleur has done? This team has missed the playoffs the previous two seasons and he comes in and not only does he make the playoffs, which is something that no previous Packer head coach has done in their first season with the team, but they win a division title and have a great shot at one of the top two seeds in the NFC. I don’t know if he will win Coach of the Year, but he certainly is mine no matter what the voters say.

Even their t-shirts say, “The North is Not Enough.” That illustrates perfectly what the ultimate goal is in Green Bay. A division title is certainly nothing to sneeze at, but we are after much more than just finishing first in our division.

The Packers have a short time to enjoy this win because there is another game to be played on Sunday. They finish their regular season in Detroit and look to get a victory and wrap up a first-round bye. I wish all of you and your loved ones great joy, peace, and blessings during this glorious time of year. Have a great week and enjoy this win. The Packers are division champions! That’s music to my ears!

Go Pack Go!

@DieHardPackrFan #DHPF #NFCNorthChampions #GregGoshaw @gg901