Saturday Night – Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers

Does it get much better than this? A Saturday night game at Lambeau Field between two NFC North opponents. Let alone the Vikings and Packers, two rivals with more than a hundred games played against each other and a division title on the line. Who’s ready for some hard-nosed, smashmouth football on the frozen tundra? This game is so good, it almost makes winter worth having. Almost.

Keys to the Game

Vikings

It’s going to be cold and it’s going to be uncomfortable and it’s the perfect weather for a slow, defensive game. That’s right in the Vikings’ wheelhouse. They can pound away at the Packer defense on the ground, keeping Aaron Rodgers frozen on the sideline, and wearing out this weak defense. Minnesota doesn’t have the most potent offense out there, but they can score enough points to get the job done, even on the road in Green Bay. A big play or two from Stefon Diggs will seal the deal for Minnesota in this one.

Packers

Green Bay is going to need to find a way to get the passing game going on this cold night. Frozen fingers and a rock-hard football aren’t exactly the key ingredients to a 300-yard passing game, but Rodgers and company will need to find a way to get it done. The Vikings will crush their meager running game and the defense is going to give up a couple scores. It’s going to come down to whether or not Aaron Rodgers and Jordy Nelson can come up with some magic on this cold night. If they can, it will be Green Bay’s game to lose.