Can Packers continue late-season dominance over Vikings?

Packers set for another late-season battle in Minnesota

On Sunday afternoon, it will be the 15th matchup between the Green Bay Packers and the Minnesota Vikings in Week 16 or later since the 1996 season. In the previous 14 games, the Packers hold a 10-4 edge over its rivals from the west.

Currently, the Packers hold a one-game lead in the NFC Wild Card race over the Washington Commanders for the 6th and 7th seeds. There is also a chance for the Packers to jump up to the 5 seed if the Vikings were to lose both of their final two games, against the Packers and Lions.

The recent history between these two rivalries does favor the Packers. Of those previous 14 late-season meetings, six of them were in Minnesota. The Packers are 4-2 in games in Minnesota played in Week 16 or 17. Those wins were in 2000 (33-28), 2004 (34-31), 2019 (23-10) and 2023 (33-10). The two losses were in 1999 (24-20), 2012 (37-34).

All of those games had playoff implications, with the Packers clinching the division twice (‘04, ‘19) and keeping its wild-card hopes alive twice (‘00, ‘23). “It is one of the toughest buildings to play in the league,” Matt LaFleur said Tuesday about the upcoming game in Minnesota. “It is going to be a great challenge for us and one that, quite frankly, I think we need, because we’re going to be on the road in the playoffs. This is going to be a playoff atmosphere. A playoff game.”

Packers Christmas Wishes

Every year, Packers fans make Christmas wishes for the remainder of the Packers season. What can Santa put under the three at 1265 Lombardi Ave to help the Packers finish the season strong? Outside continuing the success they've already had, like running the ball effectively and having a kicking game that doesn't give us indigestion.

Here are a few things that will improve the Packers chances of further success and maybe the opportunity to reach the ultimate goal of hoisting the Lombardi Trophy in New Orleans.

Let's Talk Football: On the front foot

CHTV co-founder Aaron Nagler chats with Pack-A-Day podcast creator Andy Herman about the Packers 34-0 domination of the New Orleans Saints. The guys also look ahead to a big matchup with the Minnesota Vikings.

Newfound Physicality Has Elevated The Packers Play

In sports, few things are as important to a team's culture and success as establishing an "identity". For the 2024 Green Bay Packers, in what feels like for the first time in a long time, they have an established identity in all phases of the game.

The key ingredient? Physicality.

Since the Packers 2010 Super Bowl season, only the 2020 season rivals the product they've put on display this season. Even then, in 2020 there were defensive deficiencies that first-year defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley has cleaned up with a ball-hawking secondary, stout run defense and a swarming third down defense.

No one is calling them perfect, with improvements needed when teams enter the red zone, but they continue to ascend as the season goes on and any team showing up among the league-best in all phases of the game can be check-marked as a "complete" football team, which is something the Packers have struggled to achieve in the LaFleur-era with poor run defense, poor third down defense, special teams woes, or all the above.

The NFC is extremely competitive this season, but there's no one the Packers can't hang with en route to a potential Super Bowl appearance. They very well might still be "a year away" until they start hitting their ceiling, with what remains the youngest roster in the NFL. But with the physical style of play they've exuded on tape this season to build on last season's unanticipated heroics, this is a team that takes no issue walking into your house and returning home with a victory on any given Sunday.

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Green Bay gets good news on Christian Watson

Aaron chats with Packers fans worldwide the day after Green Bay's big win over the Saints and gives the latest update on wide receiver Christian Watson’s knee injury.

5 Takeaways From Packers 34-0 win over Saints: Green Bay Boasts Punishing Trio of Backs

Green Bay’s embarrassment of riches in the backfield was on full display Monday night, as Josh Jacobs, Emanuel Wilson took turns pummeling New Orleans.

Such was the comfortable lead the Packers amassed by half time, Jacobs was essentially stood down with well over a quarter to play. Green Bay’s lead horse only had to carry the ball 13 times, his fewest since week nine, but still managed 69 yards and a touchdown.

His 5.3 yards per carry versus New Orleans is also his highest mark since week nine, perhaps showing the benefits of giving him a breather every now and again, especially when Matt LaFleur has two other capable backs at his disposal.

Jacobs’ highlight of the night was a brutal stiff arm of Saints defender Tyrann Mathieu, sending the defensive back flying to the turf, and his understudies continued to run with aggression when given their opportunity.

Wilson carried the ball 11 times on the night for 52 yards, while Brooks tallied six carries for 23 yards. Both backs found the end zone, with Brooks’ score representing his first career touchdown.

The former BYU back, whom the Packers signed as a free agent after he was released by Miami with an injury, has seen his role grow over time as a reward for his proficiency in pass protection, and his touchdown was well deserved for all his hard work.

He also showed off his powerful running ability, with Brooks’ most impressive play coming when he shoved veteran linebacker Demario Davis off him, escaping what looked to be a secure tackle.

Third-round rookie MarShawn Lloyd has been limited to just six rush attempts on the season due to various injuries, and it has not mattered a bit for the Packers. They are extremely well stocked at running back, and this was shown to a national audience on Monday night.

Check out four other takeaways from Monday night’s big win over the Saints.

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We Have Fireworks! Cocktail

In honor of the fireworks at Lambeau Field after every Green Bay Packers touchdown, CHTV co-founder Corey Behnke creates a new tailgate cocktail using a liquor created from Buzz Buttons or Toothache Plant.

Carry The G Cream Ale, the official beer of CHTV!