NFL Week 11 Preview: Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings
Added on Nov 20, 2010 by Jack Thurman in
3 Comments
This matchup between Brett Favre’s current team and former team looked a lot better when the schedule was released. That is due entirely to the hugely disappointing performance of the Vikings. They were expected to make a run at the Superbowl with Brett Favre making his return from ‘retirement’ but instead they’ve struggled with injuries and inconsistent play. The result is that this matchup has lost a lot of its luster. Minnesota has stumbled to a 3-6 record due in large part to a 0-5 mark on the road. Green Bay is 6-3 SU but have dealt with their own inconsistent play.
Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings
November 21, 2010 10:00 AM Pacific
The 2010 NFL season has seen no shortage of disappointing performances from teams that were expected to contend. In addition to the reeling Vikings we’ve seen the downward spiral of the Dallas Cowboys, the listless play of the Cincinnati Bengals and the underachieving San Francisco 49ers. The Cowboys may dominate the headlines, but the Vikings are in similarly bad shape with coach Brad Childress almost certain to be fired at the end of the year. They’ve struggled with injuries—especially to the wide receiver corps—but the biggest culprit has been uninspired play. That’s clearly reflected in a 2-7 ATS record and a 0-5 ATS mark as an underdog.
The Packers have their own issues—a one dimensional offense, an erratic defense and a tendency to ‘play down’ to the level of their opponent. Working in their favor is the fact that they’ll have by far the best quarterback on the field. When Brett Favre left Green Bay some fans considered Aaron Rodgers a significant downgrade, but he’s developed into one of the best quarterbacks in the league. The defense has shown marked improvement of late, and the offense finally looked to be in sync in their last game against hapless Dallas. The Packers’ pass protection hasn’t been great this season, but against a dispirited Vikings’ defense they should be good enough.
And then there’s Favre—the fact that it’s always been more about him than the team has been pretty obvious all the while but now its glaringly evident as he drags himself out on the field week after week despite a variety injuries. At this point, Minnesota would likely be better off with Tavaris Jackson under center but Favre’s ego—and his precious consecutive games started streak—won’t allow it. Favre is a shell of his former self—the Vikings are averaging a full 10 PPG less this year than last and has 10 TD passes against 16 interceptions with 5 lost fumbles thrown in for good measure.
Yet Favre’s presence gives this game greater significance for the Packers than it otherwise would have. Green Bay is coming off a bye week and has always played well on the turf in Minnesota covering five of the last seven games there. Packers should win this one by double digits as the Vikings’ season continues its nosedive.
Bet Green Bay Packers -3 over Minnesota Vikings
3 Comments
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November 21, 12:31 am
You’re just another journalist sports hero want to be – are you a tad bit jealous of Favre’s accomplishments??? Cry baby, cry…
November 21, 4:21 am
I’m a handicapper….I could care less about Favre, his accomplishments, his dong shots or whatever. My job is to objectively assess his performance or–in this case–lack thereof. It wasn’t me who threw all of the INTs and lost those fumbles this year. Were I to be jealous of NFL quarterbacks I’d aim higher and look for one who’s team had a better record than 2-7.
In any case, I’m investing in the team that’s playing against Favre tomorrow. Were that not the case I could care less what he does one way or the other.
November 22, 4:05 am
I’ve been traveling back from Europe all day and haven’t seen the game yet. How did Favre do?
Just kidding….I had a big play on Green Bay as well. Not only do I respect the handicapping wisdom of Mr. Thurman everyone knows that Favre is a ‘shot fighter’ at this point. Well, everyone except the nuthugger that posted the original comment. Like my man Snoop Dogg once said ‘when you dis Dre you dis yourself!’ If Favre nuthugger was a man he’d come in and apologize to Jack…..