To keep their playoff dreams alive, the Green Bay Packers must defeat the Minnesota Vikings on the road on Sunday night.
Sunday’s matchup is critical for both teams’ playoff hopes. According to Next Gen Stats, a win for either team greatly increases their odds of making the playoffs (31 percent to 49 percent for Minnesota, 25 percent to 55 percent for Green Bay). A loss reduces both teams’ prospects of making the playoffs to fewer than 4%.
The Vikings and Packers have played 126 times, with Green Bay having a 65-58-3 edge. Minnesota has won three of the last five meetings, including a 24-10 victory in Week 8 at Lambeau Field.
During the rivalry, Minnesota has almost split its home games with Green Bay; however, the Vikings grabbed a 31-30 series lead when hosting the Packers with a 23-7 victory in Week 1 of the 2022 season.
Since moving to U.S. Bank Stadium in 2016, the Vikings have won all but two of their home games versus the Packers. The Packers won back-to-back games in 2019 (23-10) and 2020 (43-34).
However, the Green Bay Packers offense has made significant strides since their last encounter with the Minnesota Vikings in Week 8.
Jordan Love is playing as good as many of the NFL’s top quarterbacks right now, and the Pack will need him and the offense to prosper in a difficult road divisional game with so much at stake.
The Packers’ first-year starter has 3,587 passing yards with two games remaining in the regular season. 27 passing touchdowns, 91.8 passer rating, three rushing touchdowns, and only 11 interceptions.
In terms of metrics, Love has already outperformed Aaron Rodgers and Brett Favre in his first season as a starter.
The solid play of the Packers’ young offensive weapons has been one of the keys to their offensive success.
From rookies like Jayden Reed, Dontayvion Wicks, Luke Musgrave, and Tucker Kraft to second-year wide receiver Christian Watson, the NFL’s youngest offense has found success at the skill positions. In the backfield, Matt LaFleur has relied on veterans AJ Dillon and Aaron Jones to keep the game plan balanced.
The only problem? So far in 2023, having all of their offensive skilled players healthy at the same time has been unusual. There appear to be some questions regarding a few important players heading into the Vikings game as well.
Even against a young inexperienced quarterback, Packers supporters have lost faith in Joe Barry and the defense, thus the offense will have to shine to win.
Before the Vikings game, Matt LaFleur provides injury updates on three offensive weapons.
While Love and the Packers’ youthful offense have found a way to prosper on a weekly basis — despite critical losses to top offensive assets from week to week – it’s energizing to consider how dynamic the unit could be if all of their weapons were healthy.
LaFleur delivered updates on two of the team’s key wide outs earlier this week, and they were unclear at best.
Green Bay Packers receivers Christian Watson and Dontayvion Wicks missed practice for the second day in a row on Thursday and will almost certainly be ruled out of Sunday’s game against the Minnesota Vikings.
LaFleur stated that both wideouts would have to practice in some manner on Friday in order to play in Sunday night’s NFC North clash.
Watson has been out of action since injured his hamstring late in the Packers’ win over the Kansas City Chiefs on December 3. Wicks had been dealing with an ankle injury but was forced to miss last Sunday’s game against the Carolina Panthers due to a chest injury.
On Friday, the Packers will release a final injury report with playing status designations for Week 17.
Watson is the team’s top red-zone threat and deep threat. Wicks has emerged as a go-to target and big-play creator in 2023.
Watson has 28 receptions for 422 yards and five touchdowns in nine games for the Green Bay Packers this season, averaging 15.1 yards per catch.
WIcks is technically listed as the Packers’ fourth wide receiver on the depth chart, but he’s made the most of his opportunities when given them.
This last week was a prime example. The rookie WR recognized Love sprinting away from pressure and changed his route on the fly, displaying exceptional football IQ for a first-year NFL player and leading to a crucial Green Bay touchdown.
Finally, LaFleur addressed tight end Luke Musgrave, the Green Bay Packers’ second-round draft pick in 2023, who has been out since suffering a lacerated kidney against the Chargers on Nov. 19.
Musgrave was on the verge of being the Packers’ most productive rookie tight end at the time of his injury. Bubba Franks, a first-round pick in 2000, caught 34 catches for 363 yards. Musgrave caught 33 catches for 341 yards in 10 games in 2023.
As things stand, there’s a potential that all three will play in Sunday’s must-win game against the Vikings, but there’s also a chance that none of them will.
Fortunately, the Packers have been able to overcome injuries, with players such as Tucker Kraft filling in for Musgrave and wide receivers such as Jayce Reed, Romeo Doubs, and Malik Heath filling in for Watson and now maybe Wicks.
It would be incredible to witness this offensive if all of the weapons were healthy, but even with the playoffs on the line, the coaching staff isn’t going to jeopardize his young stars’ long-term health. And if the Packers win their next two games, there’s a chance they’ll be ready for the postseason.
