Late Thoughts (Week 11): Green Bay Packers Still in Command

It was somewhat business as usual for the Green Bay Packers as they headed to Minnesota to face the red-hot Vikings.

Mike McCarthy’s team ran their record to 10-1-1 in their last 12 meetings with the Purple Gang dating back to 2010 (including a playoff encounter in ’12) via an impressive 30-13 win in the Twin Cities.

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The somewhat comes from the play of the Green Bay defense, a unit that entered the game ranked 24th in the NFL in rushing yards per game allowed and a group that had failed to record a sack in three consecutive games – all losses.

McCarthy and company would answer the bell in a big way when it came to shackling Adrian Peterson. Including a playoff clash in 2012, the workhorse runner had faced the Packers a total of 15 times and totaled 100-plus yards rushing in eight of those outings. And although the nine-year veteran did reach the end zone on Sunday afternoon, Dom Capers’ defenders limited Peterson to 45 yards rushing on only 13 carries.

Nov 22, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (5) is tackled by Green Bay Packers linebacker Clay Matthews (52) during the first quarter at TCF Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

As for Green Bay’s dormant pass rush, Datone Jones had two of the team’s six sacks of Minnesota quarterback Teddy Bridgewater.

Meanwhile, although Packers’ signal-caller Aaron Rodgers wasn’t his usual accurate self (completing just 16-of-34 throws), he threw for 212 yards and two more touchdowns. Rodgers has faced Minnesota a total of 15 times dating back to 2008, including that aforementioned postseason encounter three years ago, and the prolific passes has thrown for 34 scores and been picked off only four times in those clashes.

So the Packers are now tied with the Vikings atop the NFC North and in the process ended a three-game losing streak by the club. But when McCarthy was asked if this was one of those “gut check” games, he dismissed the notion (via Lori Nickel of the Journal Sentinel).

“I don’t think it was a gut check at all,” said Green Bay’s head coach. “I’m very proud of the team that stayed the course. We’ve been open about it – this stretch of games was going to be the toughest stretch of our season…”

That stretch includes a Thanksgiving night tilt with the improving Chicago Bears at Lambeau Field in four days. The Packers defeated the Bears, 31-23, back in Week 1 at Soldier Field.

Next: Early Thoughts (Week 11): All Eyes on the Houston Texans

All told, the meeting with John Fox’s club on Turkey Day will be Green Bay’s third straight clash with a divisional foe. In Week 13, Rodgers and company will be on playing on a Thursday evening for the second straight week as they head to Ford Field to face the Lions.

So for those panicking a bit in Titletown, all still appears to be well enough for the Packers. And for the teams that has won the last four NFC North titles, perhaps being pushed (a bit) by the other teams in the division isn’t the worst thing that could happen.