Packers rout Vikings to set up NFC North Showdown in Motown

fpadmin | 12/26/2016

Go to the game with Event USA!

Packers home January 7–8 playoff game now on sale. Order now. No obligation to pay unless the game takes place!
» Go to the game

By CHRIS HAVEL

Green Bay could capture division crown with New Year’s Day win at Detroit

The Packers have the NFC’s full attention at the most important time of the season.
No one is taking Green Bay for granted. Not now.
Not after seeing what Packers’ head coach Mike McCarthy’s reshaped offense is capable of, which is merely being among the NFL’s most dangerous.
That is especially true of the Detroit Lions (9-5) who are at Dallas (12-2) in tonight’s Monday Night Football matchup. The Lions could be forgiven if they overlook the Cowboys, because the Packers-Lions New Year’s Day game, which has been flexed from noon to 7 p.m., will decide the division champion.
It’s winner-take-all duel of battling storylines.
The Packers and red-hot rifleman Aaron Rodgers are trying to rekindle memories of another unlikely run in 2010. That ended well with the Packers capturing Super Bowl XLV with a victory over Pittsburgh at Dallas (aka North Texas).
The Lions and triggerman Matthew Stafford are hoping the quarterback’s injured right middle finger won’t derail the team. With a healthy Stafford the Lions’ offense is capable of giving Green Bay’s defense fits. With a less-than-able Stafford – which often equates to erratic throws – the Packers’ DB’s may pounce.

Potent Offense

The Packers’ most recent victory – a tidy 38-25 win over former NFC North champ Minnesota – showcased Green Bay’s incredibly potent offensive attack. The Packers’ offense is better-equipped to lead a Super Bowl charge than its counterpart which opened the season.
Ty Montgomery and Christian Michael are more explosive and versatile than Eddie Lacy and James Starks. Montgomery is well-versed in receiver play, while Michael is a straight-line, not-much-dancing type whose speed is legit.
The offensive line is healthier than I can remember in several season’s worth of Decembers. David Bakhtiari, Lane Taylor, Corey Linsley, T.J. Lang and Bryan Bulaga have been strong.
They are proof that no one player, in this case Josh Sitton, can be allowed to negatively influence an entire position group. Sitton deserved to be paid, and the Packers accommodated by cutting him and moving on. It worked out mostly because Taylor stepped in and played well enough at left guard.
Jordy Nelson is back to his old tricks. He dominated the Vikings’ defensive backs in every way, including prying his way inside their helmets before kickoff. The Vikings’ DB’s apparently went rogue and deviated from head coach Mike Zimmer’s game plan regarding Nelson.
It was insubordination at its worst and Nelson profited from it.
The Packers also are clicking with Jared Cook working his way into the offense, Richard Rodgers continuing to be his reliable if not spectacular self, and Davante Adams pushing through.
At times throughout the Packers’ current five-game winning streak I have felt like the offense has opposing defenses genuinely back on its cleats. The last time that happened was 2011 when the Packers went 15-1 only to lose in the playoffs.
This team and this moment have a different feel to them. Unlike last year, the Packers are reasonably healthy. Rodgers has more weapons at his behest than in recent memory. Montgomery is a godsend, Michael is promising and Cook still hasn’t realized his potential impact on the attack.

Playoff Defense

Defensively, the Packers are shaping into playoff form.
Nick Perry’s return – club or no club – is much-welcomed. It makes Clay Matthews that much more dangerous, and it also looks like the Packers’ all-pro edge rusher is healthy, too.
Jake Ryan is a veteran compared with a year ago, and Blake Martinez continues to show for a rookie.
Up front, Kenny Clark made a big play against the Vikings, and has increased his workload over the past four weeks. Letroy Guion and Mike Daniels are the leaders, and in a very real way the Packers’ postseason success hinges on their level of play.
Julius Peppers remains ageless, while Dean Lowry and Datone Jones manage to show up just when you forgot about them.
The secondary also is healthier and happier than it has been all season. Damarious Randall’s fourth-quarter benching at Chicago seems to have extracted the desired effect, while Quentin Rollins and Ladarius Gunter make plays.
Micah Hyde, Morgan Burnett and Pro Bowler Ha Ha Clinton-Dix comprise one of the league’s deepest, most talented safety units. Their big-play ability will undoubtedly be a factor in the Packers’ postseason success.

What’s Next

Tonight, kick back and enjoy the Lions and Cowboys.
The outcome is irrelevant, but it’s a great opportunity to scout the Packers’ upcoming opponent – the Lions – while keeping an eye on a likely rematch with Dallas.
Chris Havel is a national best-selling author and his latest book is Lombardi: An Illustrated Life. Havel can be heard Monday through Friday from 4-6 p.m. CDT on WDUZ FM 107.5 The Fan, or on AM-1400, as well as Fan Internet Radio (www.thefan1075.com). Havel also hosts Event USA’s MVP Parties the evening before home games. Also check out our new Podcast: Between the Lines for more Packers insights. New episodes every Wednesday.

"

Kudos to Amy for making sure that the tickets to the tailgate party were waiting for me at the reception desk! Your personal phone call and text messages went above and beyond customer satisfaction! I can't wait for the 2024 season, rest assured that my go-to Packer's game supplier will be Event USA for a long time.
"

-Jean-Pierre Mallette, Montréal, Canada

"Thank you so much Cathy, greatly appreciate your help. As always, EventUSA has been awesome to deal with in booking the Lodge Kohler package for the Tampa Bay Game, particularly for me traveling from Sydney, Australia, it takes the stress out of the booking process. "

-Kayle

"Good Morning, Nicole - Everything you did turned out great. The seats were great. Access to the air conditioned club lounge was great. Lots of Packers fans in the club lounge and overall at the stadium. The tailgate party at the fancy restaurant in the hotel was fabulous. The servers just kept on bringing out different sliders and desserts. Good thing that I got in a 30-minute run along the river in the morning. So, thank you! You may be speaking with me in November if I can work out getting up to Green Bay for a game. It's been too long since my last time. One of the best aspects of this weekend was interacting with so many people from Wisconsin and learning their personal stories of things Packers. And we even met a couple from St. Petersburg, Florida (my home county) and were able to tell them about the Varsity Club tavern and Packers bar in Clearwater where Mark Murphy's mother is in attendance -- very nice lady whose retirement home is in Clearwater, which borders my little city of Dunedin. Pre-COVID, I always went to the Varsity when the Packers games weren't televised locally -- lots of Wisconsin natives there, too + they serve brats and sauerkraut during Packers games. I'm glad that you are working for Event USA. "

-- Martin Lawyer, Dunedin, Florida

"Dennis - I was blessed to join Amy and some of your customers at the Morton's tailgate as well as after the game. She does an amazing job for you. Every single customer I met praised Event USA for being able to arrange the hotel and tickets and fabulous tailgate party in such a quick time. Having been to some great tour tailgate parties in Jacksonville and Kansas City and old San Francisco, a lot can be said of the long-term benefit of having really great tailgate parties. Morton's was probably one of the best - amazing food, patio sitting on the riverfront, walk to stadium, open bar!!! It was first class fun!!!"

-Matt

"Hi Amy- Just wanted to say thank you for making Jacksonville happen! We had a wonderful time and looking forward to more Packers games with Event USA in the future! Even though the game was not what we expected- we are packers fans for life-lol! Go pack go!!"

-Julie Mastrianni

"I want to thank Event USA and in particular Amy Flores for the Jacksonville trip. We have used you before and always were very pleased with the packages you have set up and your service. My son who lives in Charleston, SC and myself who lives in Minnesota, decided we needed to do a guys trip and decided to go through your company to see the opener in New Orleans. I initially called and talked with Amy about some questions I had and booked our trip. After itinerary and info was emailed to us, it soon became apparent that the trip to New Orleans wouldn’t happen. In steps Amy, wondering if we would be interested in Dallas if the game was moved there and a package was set up. Then finally the move to Jacksonville and continued communication from Amy on our interest. It was getting late at that point and I was wondering if she would be able to pull off setting up a package in Jacksonville. She did it. We went to Jacksonville and had a great time. The accommodations and the tail gate were fabulous. If only the Packer team we were hoping for had made the trip. Thank you Event USA and in particular Amy Flores."

-Tom Sohrweide, White Bear Lake, MN

"Thank you for all your help. I had a great time at the Packer-Raider game opening day. I have already begun telling interested Packer fans in Sacramento about your service. The next time I come to Green Bay for a game, I’ll be sure to ask for your help. God bless you and God bless the Green Bay Packers."

-Frank Chavez, Sacramento

"I just wanted to say that I had such a great time. The whole weekend was so much fun. I enjoyed the Player Autograph Party and the tailgate party was just the best. After coming from a country that loves soccer, it was nice to mix with people who have the same interests as me. Thank you once again, Green Bay is one very special place."

-Beverley Moore, Lancaster

"My accommodations at the Best Western Midway were excellent. I was picked up at the airport and returned promptly. No problems at all. Your representative at the hotel on game day was very pleasant and helpful. The tailgate party was super, great food, great drinks and lots of fun. Obviously, Lambeau Field and the game itself was great. I will continue to use Event USA in the future, and I will definitely tell anyone who I come across to give you a call. One last thing, the hospitality I experienced in Green Bay was incredible. I have traveled to many places, and I don’t think there are more friendly people than the people of Green Bay. Thank you again and see you next year!"

-David Anastas, Worchester

"My wife and I booked the tour to Tampa. The trip was so well organized from start to finish. It started with the people in the office with their friendly help over the phone, to receiving the tickets in the mail, and meeting the tour guides with their upbeat personalities. Signs guided us in the airport and information was posted in our motel lobbies to keep us posted. Your people had everything in order. Talk about organization, you had it. Event USA made this a most memorable trip. Thanks for all involved."

-Dick Koerner, Neenah

"I wish to convey my sincere thanks and gratitude for providing my husband and I with, what he refers to as the greatest experience of my life, apart from my wedding day."

-Lara and Matt Appleton, Thornhill, Ontario

"Thanks for all your help, the great tickets and service, and the chance to help me make one of my son’s dreams come true, seeing the Packers playing at home in Lambeau Field."

-Sam Jones, Sedalia

"I just want to thank you for the wonderful job your staff did last weekend for the Packers vs. Lions game. This was our first time utilizing your program and we were not disappointed at all. In fact, we can’t wait to schedule and event for next season’s games. From my first experience with your staff placing my order until the very end at checkout of the hotel, everything was perfect. You truly out-do yourselves to please everyone. Thanks again for making our stay in Green Bay one of the best."

-Kim Ewing and Bruce DeMaine, Ann Arbor

"Thanks so much for the best weekend ever! You not only got us in all the Magazines, TV, WWW pages and even the big screen at Lambeau Field, but Disney World on the side? Nice job – You and your family are top notch – we were on the best tour for the Super Bowl! Seeing the Green Bay Packers win back the Lombardi Trophy was a life long dream of this Packer fan, and you all were so dedicated to the job of taking care of us that, like the Packers, we were a winning team! Keep me on your list."

-William D Lorge, Representative to the Wisconsin State Assembly