Today’s Vikes Views is a more indirect view on the Minnesota Vikings. The Detroit Lions host the Green Bay Packers tonight on TNF. The division is a three team race and its one of the best ever. The Lions are at the top at 11-1, the Vikings are trailing with their 10-2 record and the Packers are lingering around at 9-3. The race is interesting and all three are likely to make it into the playoffs.
On paper, it makes sense to root for the Packers tonight to enhance the Vikings chances to win the NFCN as well as the 1st round bye potential. However, the Packers only three losses have come against the top three teams in the NFC. The Packers lost their first game of the year 34-29 to the Philadelphia Eagles. Their 2nd loss was week 4 against the Vikings in Green Bay. They also lost to the Loins in Green Bay on November 3rd. So they’ve dug themselves into a hole losing both home games against the top of the division. They are not likely to win the division, but they have a chance. The Pack win tonight and they could be dangerous. Love is coming on strong again at the end of the season. Tough stretch to end the season with at Detroit, at Seattle, New Orleans, at Minnesota and Chicago remaining.
The Lions were expected to be here. They should’ve been in the Super Bowl last year if they didn’t blow the lead to the San Francisco 49ers. However, the injuries are starting to stack up and the remaining schedule is hard as well. Green Bay, Buffalo, at Chicago, at San Francisco and Minnesota is their remaining docket. If the Lions lose tonight, they might be favored to lose against Buffalo next week. Normally teams that play the Lions lose the next week. Could the Packers return the favor and wave in Buffalo as the Lions are limping at home?
When I take a step back and think, the answer is obvious. You are rooting for the Packers. Root for the big win, not the mediocre. You can’t have Super Bowl aspirations and worry about the Packers getting in. The thought to eliminate the Pack now and keep the Lions rolling is a play for a Wild Card spot. I want the NFCN, the 1st round bye and the Super Bowl. That being said, the Packers won their last Super Bowl from the Wild Card spot. You can’t have both teams lose or some magical solution. I’m taking the best route, which is winning the division.
