By CHRIS HAVEL
These days it is far better to play the Vikings than it is to be the Vikings.
From Teddy Bridgewater’s absence to Eddie Lacy’s resurgence, the Packers dominated throughout in Thursday night’s rain-soaked 42-10 dismantling of a watered down Vikings team.
Sprinkle in Aaron Rodgers’ three touchdown passes and Julius Peppers’ first Lambeau Leap and the rout was on.
The Packers (3-2) saw their sluggish ground game grow legs with Lacy breaking out for a season-best 105 yards and two touchdowns. Aaron Rodgers added three touchdown passes, including a 66-yard bomb to Jordy Nelson, to highlight the conquest.
Frankly, the Packers did what was expected. That they did so in such splendid fashion – at least in terms of big plays – made an otherwise forgettable game actually watchable.
The Vikings (2-3) weren’t in the Packers’ class. Not by a long shot, which they were coming into game as 9 ½-point underdogs. Then, they proceeded to play like it with at times comical imprecision.
The Vikings didn’t have their starting quarterback (Bridgewater), their starting tight end (Kyle Rudolph) or their starting running back (Adrian Pederson) to call upon. If the Packers didn’t crush the Vikings under those circumstances, at their place, in that kind of weather, when would they?
Peppers’ interception and 49-yard touchdown return was a special play by a big-time playmaker who is keeping Father Time at bay.
If the Packers’ defense continues to improve under coordinator Dom Capers, Peppers’ 10th career interception and ensuing Lambeau Leap might be viewed as the turning point.
Clearly, the Packers’ 32nd-ranked run defense showed up. Even with Datone Jones’ absence due to a second quarter ankle injury, Green Bay’s defense stoned the Vikings’ would-be running attack. Matt Asiata led the way with an inconsequential 72 yards on 15 carries with a long run of just 11 yards.
Asiata also fumbled after being stripped by safety Morgan Burnett. Cornerback Casey Hayward recovered what would be one of three Minnesota turnovers.
Ponder looked out of his league. He finished just 22 of 44 for 222 yards and two interceptions. Ponder’s lack of pocket presence led the Packers’ defense to pocket six presents – a total of six sacks with 1 ½ each by Mike Daniels and ex-Vikings lineman Letroy Guion.
Vikings first-year head coach Mike Zimmer acknowledged as much.
“Green Bay outplayed us,” he told reporters. “They were more physical than we were. They did a much better job all night.”
Bridgewater’s ankle injury didn’t have time to heal before Thursday night’s game, leaving the Vikings saddled with Ponder. That the Packers raced to an early 14-0 lead certainly compounded Minnesota’s numerous issues.
“I like the way it went tonight,” Packers head coach Mike McCarthy said afterward. “Yeah, I’ll take this.”
Now, the Packers have 10 days to rest and prepare for a noon game at Miami on Oct. 12. Lacy’s return to his hard-running ways, in part thanks to actually having holes to run through, gives the Packers’ offense much-desired balance. With the play-action pass now up and, uh, running, Rodgers and Co. are that much more dangerous.
Nelson and Randall Cobb continue to be among the NFL’s most dynamic duos, while rookie Davante Adams hauled in his first career touchdown pass. Those three plus Andrew Quarless and Richard Rodgers give McCarthy versatility in terms of personnel. McCarthy can throw with run personnel on the field (double-tight ends) and he can run with passing personnel (three receivers, one tight end and Lacy) with equal effect.
Clearly, the Vikings aren’t at their best. What matters is that the Packers were well-prepared on a short week and controlled from start to finish.
The Packers probably aren’t as good as Seattle and the NFC’s top teams right now, but an NFL team is always a work in progress.
History suggests McCarthy’s team will be playing its best football in December. Victories like Thursday night’s over the Vikings provide a boost in terms of confidence, cohesiveness and identifying and executing roles. To say it was a glorified practice is to do the NFL a disservice – it remains the best thing going in professional sports.
However, the takeaway is that McCarthy and his team scored a victory against a division opponent to cap a 2-1 stretch vs. the NFC North. Green Bay will learn from it, heal after it and move on.
All in all it was pretty decent night’s work.
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’ MVP Parties the evening before home games.
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"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.
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-- 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