MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -This archrivalry between Green Bay and Minnesota has been as competitive as it is contentious, a remarkably even series over the 48 years these border teams have played.
Until recently.
Since Mike McCarthy and Brad Childress took over as the head coach of their respective clubs, the Packers are a perfect 5-0 against the Vikings. Most of the final scores have still been close, but the edge has been clear.
Included in Green Bay’s current winning streak is a 34-0 whipping laid on Minnesota at Lambeau Field nearly one year ago that serves as the worst loss of Childress’s 40-game tenure. The Packers led for the entire second half of three of the other four matchups.
So as both teams take 4-4 records into Sunday’s game at the Metrodome, the Vikings are determined to end this trend for the purpose of both pride and the playoff race.
“We’ve just got to have this game,” defensive tackle Pat Williams said.
ayed the Packers once this fall, a 24-19 defeat on opening weekend, the Vikings are still mindful of the tampering charges filed against them from Green Bay – and later dismissed by the league – alleging they improperly contacted Brett Favre during his unretirement saga.
“This is a serious rivalry,” wide receiver Bobby Wade said. “Guys really get geared up for this game.”
Ultimately, though, players are primarily concerned with positioning in the NFC North. The fiercest emotions are often found among the fans of both teams, who frequently interact given the overlap of natives to each state in both markets.
“I think just where we’re at ramps it up,” Wade said. “Knowing how close it’s going to be going down to the wire … I think that’s the biggest deal. I think guys understand that, especially the guys that have played long enough and know where we’re at and what we need to do.”
The Packers haven’t backed down from their belief the Vikings were breaking rules by talking to Favre during the summer. And they were miffed by a handful of preseason comments made by Minnesota’s chatty defensive line – particularly Williams and Jared Allen – regarding their desire to drive new quarterback Aaron Rodgers into the ground in that season opener.
There was the matter of Childress missing the usual midfield handshake with McCarthy, too, an eye-raising postgame development Childress said was due to his desire to console and advise Tarvaris Jackson following the interception he threw on the final drive. That sealed Green Bay’s victory.
“I thought that was a little bit over-reported, you know,” Childress said. “I had to get to my quarterback on the way off the field. If it was my bad, it was my bad. … It sure wasn’t a planned slight.”
Like the Vikings, the Packers have held their tongues – in the company of reporters, at least – this week and dismissed any extra eagerness to revel in victory except for the sole purpose of gaining an advantage in the division. Both teams are currently one game back of the Chicago Bears.
“We’d obviously continue to like to have continued success against the Vikings,” McCarthy said, his repetition assumedly unintentional. “It’s an important game. Anytime you play a division game it’s important, and road division games are definitely tough.”
The last time one team won so many in a row in this series was 1983-85, when the Packers took five straight during a down cycle for both sides. Thanks to the recent streak, the Vikings now trail in the overall standings 49-45-1.
“Every time we play them we always seem to make the big plays and then also make the least mistakes,” said wide receiver Donald Driver, who has enjoyed a 13-7 record against Minnesota since he started his career in 1999.
Steadiness at quarterback has been a big reason for that. Through half of a season in charge, Rodgers has maintained that poise and command his predecessor Favre was famous for. While there are many more games to be played before a fair evaluation can be made, Rodgers has even shown a tendency to avoid some of the risky throws – and subsequent turnovers – Favre was infamous for.
On the other side, the Vikings have been starved for that stability at the game’s most important position. Gus Frerotte will be the fifth starter in the last six games against Green Bay.
He’s 4-2, though, and the offense has shown some signs of progress behind his leadership. He’s thrown eight interceptions, but some key long completions to wide receiver Bernard Berrian have helped open up room for Adrian Peterson in the backfield. It will be critical for the Vikings to do that on Sunday and allow Peterson ample opportunity to run at the NFL’s 27th-ranked run defense in terms of yards allowed.
After averaging only 17.8 points over their first four games, the Vikings have averaged 27.8 points through their last four games. That total ranks fifth in the league during that span.
together as a team and playing better. Obviously we’ve had our ups and downs in every game we’ve played this year. … It still comes down to us playing as a team, not turning the ball over, not having the penalties and just going out and executing. When we do that and we do it well, we’re pretty potent as as an offense. So hopefully we can keep that going.”
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