Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers
Lambeau Field
2100EST Mon 21 Nov / 0200GMT
ABC (US) / Five (UK)
Why it matters
There is a popular tee-shirt in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St Paul. It's not necessarily original but it rings through the state of Minnesota: "I have two favourite teams: the Vikings and whoever's playing the Packers". November is still a little early for the full, frosty spectacle but a Monday night game in Wisconsin should still be chilly enough to showcase the battle of the frozen north. The Packers were one of the NFL's founder members in 1921, and have been league champions on 12 occasions. The Vikings are relative new boys, formed in 1961 and only becoming competitive in the 1970s, when they went to the Super Bowl four times without success. Perhaps as a result, the grudge in this grudge match seems to be borne more heavily in Minnesota.
But there are more practical things at stake in this, their second meeting of 2005. The Pack have won just two games all season, even though they have scored more points than they have conceded, which indicates their record should be better. Minnesota were tipped by several leading pundits as pre-season Super Bowl contenders, but were shaken by a string of off-field problems and currently sit 4-5. At 7-3, Chicago look likely to win the NFC North, although the Vikings could snatch a wildcard if they continue their recent improvements. However, a high-profile victory for Green Bay could still kick-start some momentum to start the chase.
Team talking points
Packers quarterback Brett Favre could have ended his storied career at the end of last season, with his glory barely on the wane. The 36-year-old is recognised as one of the grittiest, most passionate competitors in the league. And were he not to have played his better years in the era of Troy Aikman, Steve Young and John Elway – to whom he lost Super Bowl XXXI – he would be recognised more clearly as one of the finest passers of the era. The 2004 season ended in disappointment for Favre, as he threw four interceptions in a surprise playoff defeat to Minnesota, and after long contemplation he decided to continue for a 15th professional season. It has not begun well, though, with leading receiver Javon Walker injured and ruled out for the season in the first game. An offensive line shuffled because of departures and further injury have been unable to offer Favre his accustomed protection, and and injury-depleted backfield as left the Packers unable to mix their play-calling as they would have liked. Favre has yet to make a decision on next year. He has hinted he may only stay if coach Mike Sherman is kept on, which looks unlikely given the current position. Time is running out to see Favre in action.
Minnesota got rid of their bad boys during the summer, or at least they thought they had. Randy Moss, possibly the best receiver in the league, was allowed to go cheaply because he was viewed as a disruptive influence, then running back Onterrio Smith was released after being caught at an airport baggage check with a "whizzinator", a plastic penis and a bag of dried urine used to evade drugs testing. The cleaned-up Vikes could go all the way, some said, but the bad influences remained. Police were called to a cruise boat on Lake Minnetonka, just west of Minneapolis, to arrest a group of players celebrating the team's bye weekend by hiring strippers and engaging in what the authorities described as "lewd conduct". Coach Mike Tice is no beacon of virtue: he was reprimanded last year after being found to have touted his NFL-allocated Super Bowl tickets. He may need the extra cash come season's end.
Star players
Brad Johnson, #14, QB, Vikings
A five-year resident in the Metrodome before the arrival of Daunte Culpepper, Johnson returned to Minneapolis after a six-year odyssey just in time for Culpepper to go down for the season with a knee injury, and he has been at the helm for an about-turn in form that has seen the Vikes win their last two games. Johnson, who played the 1995 season with the London Monarchs of NFL Europe, has followed the same pattern for success throughout his career. He makes the most of his strengths, which revolve around the short-passing game, and covers up well for his weaknesses in passing long. However, it is a pattern that brought him a Super Bowl ring just two years ago with Tampa Bay and even at 37 Johnson seems to be the cool head the Vikings need.
Samkon Gado, #35, RB, Packers
The Falcons weren't looking for Gado when the Packers visited Atlanta last week. It showed as he ran for 103 yards and three touchdowns in his third NFL game. Fair enough, too, as the Packers didn't look to the Nigerian until injuries to their backfield forced them to promote a man who only started two games for his lower-division college side, Liberty. At 5ft10ins and 210lbs, Gado is the archetypal size for a running back and he can run 40 yards in 4.43 secs. His plans to become a doctor went on hold when his footballing ability was spotted by the pros, and if he continues this strong start they may be on hold for a while.
What to look for
NFC title favourites New York suffered a massive upset last weekend when the Vikings became the first side ever to return and interception a kick-off and a punt for touchdowns in the same game, a 24-21 victory. Gado, whose name sounds like an extra from Lord of the Rings, came out of nowhere for the Pack to surprise Atlanta 33-25. Even the teams don't know what to look for from their opponents this week, which could make for an entertaining Monday night.
Tip
Home field advantage counts for the Packers, who come through 34-20 at chilly Lambeau Field.
Interesting trivia
Minnesota's injury list includes coach Tice, whose left knee ligament was torn off the none when he was knocked over on the sideline by New York's Jamaar Taylor during a Vikings punt return last Sunday. Tice, who avoided serious injury during a 14-year career as a tight end with Seattle, Washington and Minnesota, tore a medial collateral ligament but will not need surgery.
The rivalry offers an interesting study in NFL business with the Vikings changed hands in June for $600 (£350m.) New owner Zygi Wilf is now busy trying to secure funding for a new stadium north of the Twin Cities. The Packers, formed as the company team of the Indian Packing Company in 1919, are the only team in North American professional sport owned by its fans. As of 8 June, 2005, 111,921 people (representing 4,749,925 shares) in Wisconsin can count themselves in Wilf's position, although with a considerably lower profile. The most recent floatation, in 1997, priced shares at $200, and financed the renovation of Lambeau Field, which has been sold out for every game since 1960.
Released by the Packers in March after eight years with the team because of the strictures of the salary cap, free safety Darren Sharper snatched a personal-best three interceptions, including that 92-yard return for a touchdown, for the Vikings last weekend.
2100EST Mon 21 Nov / 0200GMT
ABC (US) / Five (UK)
Why it matters
There is a popular tee-shirt in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St Paul. It's not necessarily original but it rings through the state of Minnesota: "I have two favourite teams: the Vikings and whoever's playing the Packers". November is still a little early for the full, frosty spectacle but a Monday night game in Wisconsin should still be chilly enough to showcase the battle of the frozen north. The Packers were one of the NFL's founder members in 1921, and have been league champions on 12 occasions. The Vikings are relative new boys, formed in 1961 and only becoming competitive in the 1970s, when they went to the Super Bowl four times without success. Perhaps as a result, the grudge in this grudge match seems to be borne more heavily in Minnesota.
But there are more practical things at stake in this, their second meeting of 2005. The Pack have won just two games all season, even though they have scored more points than they have conceded, which indicates their record should be better. Minnesota were tipped by several leading pundits as pre-season Super Bowl contenders, but were shaken by a string of off-field problems and currently sit 4-5. At 7-3, Chicago look likely to win the NFC North, although the Vikings could snatch a wildcard if they continue their recent improvements. However, a high-profile victory for Green Bay could still kick-start some momentum to start the chase.
Team talking points
Packers quarterback Brett Favre could have ended his storied career at the end of last season, with his glory barely on the wane. The 36-year-old is recognised as one of the grittiest, most passionate competitors in the league. And were he not to have played his better years in the era of Troy Aikman, Steve Young and John Elway – to whom he lost Super Bowl XXXI – he would be recognised more clearly as one of the finest passers of the era. The 2004 season ended in disappointment for Favre, as he threw four interceptions in a surprise playoff defeat to Minnesota, and after long contemplation he decided to continue for a 15th professional season. It has not begun well, though, with leading receiver Javon Walker injured and ruled out for the season in the first game. An offensive line shuffled because of departures and further injury have been unable to offer Favre his accustomed protection, and and injury-depleted backfield as left the Packers unable to mix their play-calling as they would have liked. Favre has yet to make a decision on next year. He has hinted he may only stay if coach Mike Sherman is kept on, which looks unlikely given the current position. Time is running out to see Favre in action.
Minnesota got rid of their bad boys during the summer, or at least they thought they had. Randy Moss, possibly the best receiver in the league, was allowed to go cheaply because he was viewed as a disruptive influence, then running back Onterrio Smith was released after being caught at an airport baggage check with a "whizzinator", a plastic penis and a bag of dried urine used to evade drugs testing. The cleaned-up Vikes could go all the way, some said, but the bad influences remained. Police were called to a cruise boat on Lake Minnetonka, just west of Minneapolis, to arrest a group of players celebrating the team's bye weekend by hiring strippers and engaging in what the authorities described as "lewd conduct". Coach Mike Tice is no beacon of virtue: he was reprimanded last year after being found to have touted his NFL-allocated Super Bowl tickets. He may need the extra cash come season's end.
Star players
Brad Johnson, #14, QB, Vikings
A five-year resident in the Metrodome before the arrival of Daunte Culpepper, Johnson returned to Minneapolis after a six-year odyssey just in time for Culpepper to go down for the season with a knee injury, and he has been at the helm for an about-turn in form that has seen the Vikes win their last two games. Johnson, who played the 1995 season with the London Monarchs of NFL Europe, has followed the same pattern for success throughout his career. He makes the most of his strengths, which revolve around the short-passing game, and covers up well for his weaknesses in passing long. However, it is a pattern that brought him a Super Bowl ring just two years ago with Tampa Bay and even at 37 Johnson seems to be the cool head the Vikings need.
Samkon Gado, #35, RB, Packers
The Falcons weren't looking for Gado when the Packers visited Atlanta last week. It showed as he ran for 103 yards and three touchdowns in his third NFL game. Fair enough, too, as the Packers didn't look to the Nigerian until injuries to their backfield forced them to promote a man who only started two games for his lower-division college side, Liberty. At 5ft10ins and 210lbs, Gado is the archetypal size for a running back and he can run 40 yards in 4.43 secs. His plans to become a doctor went on hold when his footballing ability was spotted by the pros, and if he continues this strong start they may be on hold for a while.
What to look for
NFC title favourites New York suffered a massive upset last weekend when the Vikings became the first side ever to return and interception a kick-off and a punt for touchdowns in the same game, a 24-21 victory. Gado, whose name sounds like an extra from Lord of the Rings, came out of nowhere for the Pack to surprise Atlanta 33-25. Even the teams don't know what to look for from their opponents this week, which could make for an entertaining Monday night.
Tip
Home field advantage counts for the Packers, who come through 34-20 at chilly Lambeau Field.
Interesting trivia
Minnesota's injury list includes coach Tice, whose left knee ligament was torn off the none when he was knocked over on the sideline by New York's Jamaar Taylor during a Vikings punt return last Sunday. Tice, who avoided serious injury during a 14-year career as a tight end with Seattle, Washington and Minnesota, tore a medial collateral ligament but will not need surgery.
The rivalry offers an interesting study in NFL business with the Vikings changed hands in June for $600 (£350m.) New owner Zygi Wilf is now busy trying to secure funding for a new stadium north of the Twin Cities. The Packers, formed as the company team of the Indian Packing Company in 1919, are the only team in North American professional sport owned by its fans. As of 8 June, 2005, 111,921 people (representing 4,749,925 shares) in Wisconsin can count themselves in Wilf's position, although with a considerably lower profile. The most recent floatation, in 1997, priced shares at $200, and financed the renovation of Lambeau Field, which has been sold out for every game since 1960.
Released by the Packers in March after eight years with the team because of the strictures of the salary cap, free safety Darren Sharper snatched a personal-best three interceptions, including that 92-yard return for a touchdown, for the Vikings last weekend.
posted by MG at
1:27 PM
1 Comments:
Green Bay have not had a losing season since Brett Favre took over as starting quarterback. After this defeat, they need to win their remaining six games to avoid it.
Favre doesn't deserve to end his career like this. With two more here, his 17 interceptions this year are four more than any other QB, but he still managed to keep them in the game until late on.
Favre has always forced throws but this year he has no choice. Samkon Gado's first 10 attempts brought just nine yards and when he fumbled in the third quarter, the Packers gave up on the rush altogether.
The key to the victory was the 8min 33sec Viking drive in the third quarter that brought 88 yards - just 38 of them passing - from 13 plays, with running backs Michael Bennett and Mewelde Moore both featuring before Ciatrick Fason got the score.
With the run established, even if they failed to make room in the middle of the field, Brad Johnson was given space for his short-passing game, and he controlled it from there.
Amazingly, the Vikes are still in the playoff picture, with an even record, despite the bad news that has dogged them all season.
By
MG, at 8:25 AM
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