Brace Hemmelgarn-US PRESSWIRE
If the Minnesota Vikings want to have any chance at making the playoffs this year, they have to go through the Green Bay Packers to do so. The Vikings play the Packers this week at Lambeau Field, and then again in the final matchup of the season in week 17.
The Packers struggled early in the season but they seemed to be regaining their championship form, until the New York Giants beat them handily on Sunday Night Football last week.
The Vikings have been in a bit of a free fall lately, losing three of their past four games. But the Giants have given a blueprint for beating the Packers–a strong pass rush.
New York sacked Aaron Rodgers five times last week thanks to a relentless pass rush. The Packers have a very weak rushing attack this year, and though the Giants do not have a great secondary, they were able to line up with only six men in the box and still hold the Packers to just over 100 yards on the ground.
Similar to the Giants, the Vikings have a suspect secondary but a strong pass rush. If Jared Allen and the rest of the Vikings defensive line can pressure Rodgers, they could force him to make bad decisions or turn the ball over (Rodgers had an interception and a fumble lost against the Giants.)
The Vikings and Packers renew their rivalry this week, and if the Vikings hope to make the postseason, they need to follow the example set by the G-Men and harass Aaron Rodgers for sixty minutes.
